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Too bad there is nothing to do this weekend in Livonia. Huh?!

Why is there never anything to do in Livonia? If only we had places to take our out-of-town guests on a Saturday or Sunday.

As I rhetorically thought about that question I found myself thinking back to the mid-1970s when in one year I spoke in over 150 cities across the State of Michigan, when I looked like this picture below and I was giving my BUBBA (brothers uniting in building a better America) speech to Jaycee chapters. 20,000 members statewide.

Let me share just some of my thoughts that I visited upon so many audiences from the 1970's.

I was reminded of a small town with 100 people calling Anytown USA their home. 4th of July. 90 people sit at home watching TV wanting to go to a parade, not knowing if they went out to their front porch a 4th of July Parade would be marching right in front of their house.

5 people would be sitting on the front porch watching the parade taking place right in front of their house.

3 people would be marching in the parade for the 5 people to watch and the 90 wishing there was a parade to go see.

2 people would be putting on the parade for the 3 to participate, the 5 to watch and the 90 to wish there was a parade.

This weekend we each have a choice. Be the 90 who wants to do something but says there is nothing to do. Be the 5 people out enjoying all that is going on right around them. Be the 3 who decided to be a part of the community participating or the 2 providing the leadership to make it happen.

This analogy about the small town and the 4th of July parade underscores a belief in what has helped transform Livonia from a small township in 1950 to a leadership position that many of our neighbors have emulated over the years. It highlights the importance of being proactive and engaged in the community. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of effort to discover and participate in local events.

I can tell you one thing, this observer will be front and center Friday night in my folding chair at Stymelski Park watching and admiring the neighbors putting on A Midsummer Night's Dream.

On Sunday, if I wasn't in Colorado celebrating the golf skills of my golf-learning 5-year-old grandson Leonard, the dancing prowess of my 3-year-old granddaughter Maya, the birthday of son Paul, and the green thumb skill set of daughter-in-law Raquel I know where I would be on, joining the thousands of our neighbors who will take in the 29th Annual Michigan Jazz Festival at Schoolcraft College.

One out of two headlining events this weekend and I happened to find a $120 round-trip ticket to Denver, so will catch up on all that is happening on my return Tuesday. Tell me what I missed when I return. So much happens every week, each weekend, throughout the year.

You Gotta Love Livonia for the 2% who are leaders, the 3% who actively engage, the 5% who enjoy the work of the 2 and 3 percenters. And we each have a responsibility to spread the word on all that is happening to the 90%.

Penske Automotive Group acquires global sales leader Bill Brown Ford

For years, Bill Brown Ford in Livonia has ranked as one of the top-selling Ford dealers globally, often surpassing all others in annual new vehicle sales. Regrettably, Ed Brown, who steered the dealership for an impressive 50 years, passed away in 2023. His children, Tom Brown and Ruth Ann Brown, subsequently assumed leadership. Now, the dealership has transitioned to a new proprietor.

Automotive News reports that Bill Brown Ford, which clinched the title of top-selling Ford dealer in 2021, 2022, and 2023, has been acquired by Penske Automotive Group, a major player among U.S. dealership chains. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for the dealership, established in 1940 by the Brown family, and is projected to contribute approximately $550 million to Penske's annual revenue.

Bill Brown Ford was founded in 1940 by the Brown family. The dealership has been a trusted provider of vehicle sales and service to customers throughout Southeast Michigan for nearly a century.

It’s worth noting that the Brown family has a long history in the automotive industry, dating back to the early 1900s when they sold Model T cars alongside horse and tackle equipment in Sandusky, Michigan.

During World War II, Tom Brown’s grandfather, Ed Brown, opened a Ford dealership in Brightmore.

The Livonia location opened its doors in 1954 and has since become a cornerstone of the community.

"Last year, they initiated contact with us," George Karolis, president of the Presidio Group, the investment banking firm that facilitated the sale for the Brown family, remarked. "They elected to engage our services, entrusting us with the stewardship of their family legacy. We introduced it to the market this year on their behalf, and the process was expeditious and seamless."

Rich Shearing, COO of Penske Automotive North American Operations, commented, "For decades, Bill Brown Ford has fostered community partnerships by fostering a culture that prioritizes surpassing customer expectations and empowering its workforce. We are eager to nurture these partnerships further."

The reaction from Paul Van De Ven reflects the thoughts of many when he writes that "This is great news, Penske Automotive Group is a tremendous organization and their headquarters is based right here in Metro Detroit. Congratulations to the Brown family for building such an important and consistent part of our community.

We know the Lions for the best corn at the Good Old

Fashioned Corn Roast but did you know about their free

vision screenings for diabetic retinopathy?

Summer wouldn't be the same without the Livonia Spree! The Livonia Lions provided free vision screenings to children through Project Kidsight, and offered free screenings for Diabetic Retinopathy, which is the most common cause of preventable blindness in adults. Both services were quick and painless, using advanced highly specialized digital cameras to identify issues in the shape and structures of the eye.

We give special thanks to our Livonia Lions and our District Lions screeners, especially Lion Dr. Daniel Rathbun, Lion Ted Robinson (Plymouth Lions Club), Lion Clay Galerneau (Northville Lions Club), and the MSU Medical Students from the Detroit Street Care Branch Lions Club.



Pictured are: Lions Daniel Rathbun, Julie Kain, President Dave Zarek, Carol Zarek, and Kathleen Collins.

 Sen. Cavanagh Delivers Historic, Transformative Budget Wins for 6th District,

On June 27, 2024, the Michigan Legislature successfully passed the budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2025, which is set to begin on October 1, 2024.

Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) worked closely with her colleagues to negotiate and deliver historic budget investments that not only uplift the residents of the 6th Senate District, but also foster equitable opportunity for all Michigan residents.

“It has been an incredible honor to successfully craft and pass another historic state budget that will make such a tangible impact on the lives of Michiganders far and wide,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “From bolstering our local economies to expanding access to affordable housing, the passage of this budget demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering real solutions for the good of our state and its diverse communities.”

Sen. Cavanagh was proud to put the hardworking residents of Senate District 6 first and foremost in her budget negotiations, securing unprecedented investments for her local community, which include:

• $2 million for Starfish Family Services in Brightmoor neighborhood
• $1 million for City of Livonia fire equipment
• $1.5 million to Wilson-Clark Detroit Health & Healing Center
• $1.5 million to Zekelman Holocaust Center
• $1 million for Detroit’s Developing KIDS after school programming
• $3 million for Redford water infrastructure improvements
• $2 million for Detroit Parks infrastructure, accessibility, and programming
• $150,000 to Redford’s Downtown Development Authority
• $200,000 to Farmington Schools tutoring support
• $250,000 to Detroit Police Athletic League
• $2 million for Invest Detroit senior housing
• $2 million for Redford lead service line replacement
• $1 million for Detroit Blight Busters neighborhood block grants
• $100,000 for Kirsten’s Touch foster care transition programming
• $1.5 million to the City of Detroit’s Right to Counsel eviction diversion
• $1.5 million for Detroit Rescue Mission addiction and homelessness prevention
• $5 million for the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency expansion
• 

Leading the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), Chair Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) worked tirelessly to secure budget investments that support our economy, promote workforce development, lower costs, improve government accessibility, and protect Michigan consumers. 

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

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.