Bill Joyner's FridayMusings March 18 2024

View as Webpage

FridayMusings since 2003

Monday, March 18, 2024

Helping define Livonia's Quality of Life

Yesterday is over. Change is the essence of life.

20 years publishing FridayMusings without bias but not without opinion

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT PAUL SHEPICH IS EMBARKING ON A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT AFTER A DISTINGUISHED 41-YEAR CAREER IN EDUCATION

After four decades of unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of students, Paul Shepich, Superintendent of Clarenceville School District, has announced his retirement. He leaves behind a legacy marked by purpose, passion, collaboration, and empathy.

Throughout his remarkable career, Shepich's driving force has been his dedication to creating learning communities where "All Means All." This commitment has led to a relentless pursuit of excellence, ensuring that every child and staff member in Clarenceville School District has access to high-quality education and a supportive environment.

Shepich has been a beacon of transformational leadership, always guided by a profound sense of service. His leadership style is deeply rooted in a passion for improving the lives of others, consistently prioritizing the needs of the school community.

Under Shepich’s visionary guidance, Clarenceville School District has thrived as a center of educational excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. His progressive vision came to fruition by developing the district's most recent Strategic Plan, which focuses on four pillars: Instruction & Curriculum For All; Well-Being For All; Engagement For All; and Professional Learning For All. The Superintendent's approach to whole-child development, inclusive of students' engagement in their learning, has been pivotal in creating an environment that nurtures academic growth and the social, emotional, and physical well-being of every student.

A cornerstone of Shepich's leadership has been his emphasis on collaboration and empathy. Whether working with teachers, parents, or community stakeholders, he has consistently fostered an atmosphere of unity where collective efforts lead to positive outcomes for everyone.

Expressing his gratitude for the incredible journey, Shepich stated, "It has been an honor to serve the Clarenceville School District."

Reactions were quick to be posted on the FridayMusings Facebook Page:

City Treasurer Susan Malone Nash: Well-deserved retirement

Schoolcraft Trustee and Clarenceville graduate Brett Gierak: Congratulations Paul Shepich!

Councilman Jim Jolly: Congratulations on a great career and legacy for your students

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan: Truly a legend in educational leadership.

LSO Board Member Susan Parker Stewart: Congratulations on your admirable career. An inspiration.

Brosnan to address challenges facing Livonia by offering a

continued transformational agenda for the future

For many mayors, the arrival of the new year marks the occasion to deliver their annual State of the City address. This oration not only reflects on the triumphs of the past year but also sets forth the policy agenda for the year ahead. The City address harbors significant potential to enlighten our community and motivate collective action.

In 2023, Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan presented a transformative vision for Livonia. In this writer's view, it was Livonia's most forward-thinking State of the City in years, addressing our hometown's pressing issues directly while also charting what we can anticipate in the coming years.

The distinctiveness of this address lies in its unvarnished portrayal of past challenges. Instead of dwelling on these issues, Brosnan identified them and proposed solutions.

Livonia emerged from a decade that could be characterized as a period of stagnation for our hometown. We relegated infrastructure concerns to a lower priority, deferring them to future leadership. That decade witnessed the creation of a 'Vision for the Future' plan through citizen participation and collaboration, only to be shelved and neglected.

Despite community critics and three years of COVID-19 malaise—with employees working remotely and efforts focused on securing, organizing, and distributing vaccines—Brosnan emerged from the pandemic prepared to confront pressing issues. Her initiatives included hiring police and firefighters, and addressing infrastructure needs, among other significant actions.

This writer eagerly anticipates another State of the City where expectations are surpassed, standards are established, and Livonia is propelled back into a position that other communities strive to emulate and where residents take pride in calling Livonia home.

Perhaps next year the State of the City will be for the entire community and not made accessible only to the business and city leadership community. For those not invited or were unable to purchase the $20 tickets you can watch it live streamed on Facebook.com/LivoniaCommunity.

A new paradigm emerging for our city council

Carrie Budzinski and Brandon McCullough engage citizens each month with

conversations aimed at sharing policy decisions through monthly meetings.

For three consecutive months, Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski has facilitated a 'Conversation' at the Bennett Civic Center Library. The latest session featured Assistant Planning Director Jacob Uhazie, pictured here, as the guest speaker, who responded to queries from nearly 50 Livonia residents on topics concerning local mobility, transit, bicycling, and pedestrian pathways. The forthcoming 'Conversation with the Councilwoman' will focus on recycling and will once again take place at the Bennett Library. This initiative is an exemplary model of community engagement—both original and constructive.

Councilman Brandon McCullough hosts a monthly event at the Senior Center, providing pizza for approximately 60-70 attendees. During these gatherings, residents engage in discussions about city services, policies, and future plans. McCullough not only supplies the pizza and addresses inquiries but also invites guests to elaborate on special programs. For instance, last month, he brought City Councilman Jim Jolly, along with Treasurer Susan Nash, to enhance the dialogue with additional insights.

Community conversations, organized by Budzinski and McCullough, offer a practical, personal, and social approach to fostering rewarding and productive dialogues. These gatherings are designed to provide a straightforward and friendly format where small groups come together to deepen their understanding of our community, as well as to discuss our hopes and concerns for its future.

Community conversations aim to offer a practical and impactful method that supports citizens uniting to improve the quality of our public discourse. This ensures that we benefit from purposeful and respectful interactions among citizens and leaders at the local level.

This typewriter extends gratitude to these two City Council members for advancing an intriguing paradigm that engages and involves citizens in co-owning the town where they contribute through taxes, by addressing inquiries and disseminating information. Thank you Carrie. Thank you Brandon.

A fun way to kick off St. Patrick's as 18 intrepid volunteers headed over to McNamara Towers to deliver Shepherd Pie, salad, Irish soda bread and shamrock cookie, and dinner roll along with soda and water.

The meal was prepared by Celebrity Catering with cookies and soda bread from So Delish and soda and water from Dan MacIver. Thanks, AlphaUSA for putting smiles on the 150 residents and the 18 volunteers. The bodyguard and typewriter enjoyed the time spent with you all.

A great way to start the day. Delivering lunches to McNamara Towers

Easter Egg Hunts throughout Livonia

Left: a new tradition, Save Alfred Noble Spring Egg Hunt at Noble Library

Above: Livonia's long running Egg Hunt at Rotary Park.

Join Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church at the Fellowship Hall for their Easter Hop where you will hop around filling baskets with Easter treats and surprises with a specil visit from the Easter Bunny. Please bring a canned food item for their Deacon's Food Delivery Ministry.

Under the leadership of Michelle Leigh, President of the Friends of Livonia Arts (FOLA) they are partnering with FridayMusings for the Musings Estate Annual, Maybe This Year, Sometimes Every Year, Whenever We Feel Like It, So Let's Do It This Year Bake Sale.

The bodyguard and this typewriter have fun with a community-driven Bake Sale just not something to be done every year so we have designated it accordingly. Proceeds are provided with a hometown group. Collectively our Bake Sales have raised well over $6,000 at only 4 sales.

We will have cakes, cupcakes, breads, cookies, and the much sought-after Geraldine Joyner Rum Cakes, all spread out in the Musings Estate driveway. We may even have some acoustic guitars, and information tables for the Livonia Historical Society and Friends of Livonia Arts.

What do we need? As in the past, the community has lined up to donate baked goods, like Alan Helmkamp bringing a delicious Sweet Elite, beautifully decorated cake.

If you would like to donate some baked goods drop a dime to the typewriter at rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com. Or if you might have a guitar handy and would like to entertain for a half hour or so, or if you would like to volunteer on May 4th you can also drop a dime.

May 4, 9:00 - 1:00, 19514 Bainbridge, north of Seven, east of Merriman. Always fun. Always. Hope to see you.

Rotary, Jaycees, Livonia DPW partner with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build 50 beds

Mayor Maureen Brosnan expresses her pride in Livonia DPW Director Don Rohraff and his crew as they hosted "Sleep In Heavenly Peace for a second year. About 100 local volunteers came together under the direction of President Tim Fisher to build beds so no child sleeps on the floor. DPW Employees and families, Livonia Rotary, and Livonia Jaycees were just a few of the groups which pitched in to sand, hammer, build and brand 50 beds."

Celebrate 50 years with the LSO.

Livonia has the best cultural scene.

See you at Burton Manor April 20

To commemorate its 50th year of cultural distinction, the Livonia Symphony Orchestra is hosting a Gala Celebration on April 20th at Burton Manor. The cost is a fitting $50, which includes dinner and a concert. Secure your tickets now.

Established on June 4, 1973, as the Oakway Symphony, the orchestra was created to serve the residents of Oakland and Wayne Counties. In 1988, it was rebranded as the Livonia Symphony Orchestra to better represent its dedication to the citizens of Livonia and the neighboring areas.

Throughout its history, the Livonia Symphony Orchestra has been under the leadership of only two music directors: its founder, Francesco DiBlasi, and Maestro Volodymyr Shesiuk, who initially joined as a violinist. Maestro Shesiuk ascended to the role of Music Director and Conductor for the ensemble of 65 musicians and has been at the helm for over 25 years. Carl Karoub, who served as Assistant Conductor, retired from the Symphony in 2019.

The Livonia Art Community is actively preparing for a social gathering that will unite local artists from various fields, such as painting, writing, music, photography, acting, graphic design, dancing, and more.

On Thursday, April 25th, between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Mama Mia's-Livonia will be the venue for the 'You Gotta Have Art Party.' The event is free to attend and is organized by the Friends of Livonia Arts and FridayMusings. Carrie Budzinski, Liz Jarvis, and Matt Koleszar will be hosting the event.

Additional details and information, including RSVP instructions, will be available this Friday. Keep an eye out for updates.

Musings Readers say No to adding toll roads in Michigan

We support toll roads

32.1%

We oppose toll roads

67.9%

Livonia celebrates Anastasia and Katie's on World Down Syndrome Day

The typewriter and bodyguard strive to use local vendors that excel in the work they do. We wanted to share them, not because they are the only ones but because we use them.

None know that we are recommending them and none paid to be showcased. We just like to say thank you to those offering quality service and professional attitude.

We will update with more as

we continue to use local

service providers as we want

to acknowledge as many

as possible

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.