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A year ago, the Livonia Symphony Orchestra held a raffle for a Warwick guitar. Gary Selesko, the winner, chose to donate it back, as he was pleased to support the LSO but did not play the guitar. Following discussions with Dan MacIver, Gary decided to donate the guitar to the Clarenceville Marching Band to aid in their fundraising for new uniforms.

This week, at the Clarenceville Middle and High School Band's final concert of the year, the raffle took place, and with the typewriter drawing the winning ticket John Bowman from Redford was the lucky winner. Congratulations to John, and it's wonderful that his daughter plays the guitar. The family will collect the guitar, amplifier, and travel case on Friday.

The guitar initially donated to the LSO not only supported our exceptional Symphony but was also re-donated within a year to the Clarenceville Band Boosters, raising additional funds. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving, now bringing joy to the Bowman family.

The raffle was a highlight of the Spring Concert directed by Doug Ferguson, where an audience of over 500 cheered and showed their appreciation, especially enjoying the Symphonic Band's performance of collegiate-level pieces like Hymn and Celebration.

To cap off the concert, the Marching Band Boosters honored the Senior Class musicians: Mark Popkov, Hailey Baker, Katherine Kusisto, Marelyn Vazquez-Ramirez, Casey Sheppard, Jacob Pelon, Lynn Koch, Xydias Seeley, Brendan Collard, Eli Crait, Shannon Noel Hittie, and Abby Budgery.

Two Livonia leaders make assertions regarding Warren Evans' recent

transit statement: One asserts there is no basis for serious discussion due

to insufficient details. Another criticizes the idea without waiting for

specific details upon which to start a discussion

Warren Evans, the Chief Executive Officer of Wayne County, proposes a ballot initiative to establish a countywide public transit system. Leaders from Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties jointly advocate for enhanced transit options to improve regional connectivity, which they believe is vital for attracting and retaining residents.

"My goal is to present a countywide ballot measure to gauge our collective support for SMART," Evans declared at a recent event by the Detroit Regional Chamber in Lathrup Village, as reported by the Detroit News.

The proposal's inclusion on the November ballot requires action by the county commission, a challenging feat since 17 Wayne County communities previously opted out of SMART to avoid tax increases.

Commissioner Terry Marecki shares with FridayMusings that the County Board has not received a proposal from Evans, and his remarks were unexpected. Without a solid proposal from the County Executive, she says there is nothing to which she could react. This is the correct position for a person in leadership as it was just an idea without a specific proposal.

In contrast to the thoughtful position of Marecki Livonia Councilman Rob Donovic immediately expressed his opposition on Facebook, saying "The reality is, 90% or more of Livonia residents will never use a bus and thus, shouldn’t have to pay millions of dollars a year for it. Taxes are already high and only getting worse, this is the government creating another way to tax people. The government doesn’t “raise funds,” it mandates you pay, otherwise, they take your property. Mass transit is just empty buses driving around 24/7 and Livonia shouldn’t have to pay for it."

Councilman Donovic has outlined his position on a nebulous proposal with unknown specifics.

Let's have a serious discussion after Evans comes up with something concrete as right now he is simply wrong in throwing out an idea with no substance, otherwise, any non sequitur that does not reflect any previous argument or statement does not prepare anyone for an intelligent discussion.

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.