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Three Cities Art Club has its members’ artwork on display at the Kirksey Recreation Center for the month of April.

The Three Cities Art Club is delighted to present its Spring Member Fine Art Exhibition at the Livonia Community Recreation Center, from April 1st to April 30th. The exhibition will feature works from gifted local artists, centered around the theme "The Color Blue." Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan has chosen three winners for this public display event.

Mies Park set to receive new ADA-compliant play equipment

Residents of Livonia who frequent the play area at Mies Park, formerly Whitman Park across from Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church, can look forward to a new ADA-compliant play space this spring.

The renovation, partially funded by a $200,000 grant from GameTime, a manufacturer of innovative play equipment, through the mParks 2023 Statewide Funding Initiative, will see Mies Park's play area undergo a significant upgrade. Situated north of Grant Elementary School on West Chicago Street, the playground is set to become part of the PlayCore National Demonstration Site (NDS) Network.

"A new and ADA-compliant play area was long overdue for the residents near Mies Park," stated Ted Davis, superintendent of Livonia Parks and Recreation. "Joining the NDS Network allows us to adopt best practices and positively influence community health."

The NDS program's design incorporates best-practice research to enhance play and recreation spaces.

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan expressed enthusiasm about the opening: "The former play area lacked the accessibility and features our residents deserve. This new space will offer a place for families to enjoy and build memories for years to come."

Demolition of the old play equipment started in the second week of March. The site is being prepared for the new equipment's arrival in early April, with installation expected to last between two to six weeks, weather permitting.

Wayne County has contributed $65,000 towards the play area's $400,000 total cost.

At the Michigan Recreation and Parks Annual Conference, Livonia was honored with an mParks Promotes Play Initiative Award for the project.

Is Livonia on the verge of revisiting the issue of term limits, perhaps placing it on the ballot this year?

She called to inquire about my stance on term limits. I was taken aback and had no immediate response, as I fundamentally oppose term limits for hindering genuine progress. In Lansing, it was necessary to modify term limits to extend the duration of office terms, at least to a length sufficient for officials to familiarize themselves with the premises.

In Livonia, our system allows council members to take a two-year break and then return, often due to strong name recognition, which increases the likelihood of being re-elected.

The debate over repealing or amending term limits to permit our council and three administrative officers to serve longer terms is gaining attention from a number of our elected officials.

First one phone call then another phone call and then a conversation at breakfast. It seems that the issue is seriously being addressed with interest in putting the issue on the ballot this August.

It's noteworthy that this topic is being recognized and brought up for discussion. Regrettably, such an issue is being debated when more pressing matters exist, such as infrastructure and building revitalization, Noble Library, and Vision 21.

Proponents of term limits argue they prevent politicians from gaining too much power and losing touch with their constituents. They suggest that many politicians view their roles as long-term positions, focusing more on reelection efforts than on urgent issues. Term limit advocates believe these restrictions would refocus efforts on actual policymaking.

On the other hand, a common argument against term limits is that elections already serve as natural term limits. The idea is that officials must continually earn their constituents' votes, which holds them accountable.

Those against term limits argue that such measures would undermine the electorate's power, replacing it with an arbitrary law.

What do you think? Would you support removing term limits for the three administrative positions and the City Council to allow them to serve terms beyond the two elections currently in effect?

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.