Bill Joyner's FridayMusings May 6, 2024

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FridayMusings since 2003

Monday, May 6, 2024

Helping define Livonia's Quality of Life

Archive – Bill Joyner's Friday Musings

20 years publishing FridayMusings

without bias but not without opinion

A faith-filled morning with over 450 guests at the

50th Livonia Community

Prayer Breakfast featuring

Chuck Gaidica.

Congratulations ChairwomanTerry Marecki for an outstanding

50th LPB Anniversary

FridayMusings Announces the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2024

David Parr, Annette and Jim McConnell, Kathleen McCann,

Sr. Nancy Jamroz, Paul Shepich, Rotary AM Club

Established in 2005, the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of their town, whether through living or working there.

Since the first Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2005, the first Thursday of October has become a day of importance for Livonia residents, highlighted in bright red on their calendars. This occasion acts as a gathering place for an extraordinary community of leaders, thinkers, and innovators who have collectively enriched Livonia from its founding as a Township in 1835 and its later establishment as a City in 1950.

The 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame inductees are visionaries whose foresight has shaped our community and whose deeds have enhanced our hometown's reputation. Their notable contributions in diverse areas such as Education, the Arts, Civil Rights, Healthcare, Business, Law, Sports, Faith, Government, Volunteerism, and History have bettered our quality of life and embody the essence of Livonia.

Their induction honors distinct contributions, ensuring their legacy in motivating future generations to pursue excellence. These honorees also serve as Livonia’s global “ambassadors” of goodwill and fellowship.

Everyone who has lived, shopped, or spent leisure time in Livonia owes thanks to these committed individuals whose endeavors have allowed us to enjoy the best of Livonia, including its institutions, culture, and heritage.

Please join us at the upcoming 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame event, on Thursday, October 3rd.

Few of us ever accomplish grand feats. However, we can

all perform small acts with great love, and collectively, we

can achieve something marvelous.

The definition of Livonia Quality of Life is the collective total of those working together.

For 20 years the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame has focused on the concept of service to humanity. That was the driving force when the concept first came to mind.

Tom Brokaw, in his discussion on volunteerism, highlights the significant impact a volunteer can have on their hometown: "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference."

For the six inductees of the Class of 2023, one word encapsulates their essence: Quality.

Volunteering, whether it's lending a hand or offering support to neighbors, not only strengthens our sense of purpose in life but also embodies the best of our town. It's about creating and defining a quality of life for ourselves and others, for the present and future generations.

On October 3rd we will honor our six inductees who have individually and collectively enabled us to recognize the quality of life visible in every part of our hometown. Each of us owes them a debt of gratitude; their time and energy have ensured that Livonia remains a place we can all take pride in.

Together, these six individuals have made a regional impact.

Henry David Thoreau once said, "One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something." Observing our inductees, it's clear that their 'something' has had a lasting effect. Their efforts have united people and enhanced the life of a community in growth, fostering a synergy of ideas and inspiring others to contribute as well.

Their difference will resonate for years to come.

Sr. Nancy Jamroz

Madonna University

The Felician Sisters and Madonna University are pivotal to Livonia's foundation. Sr. Nancy Jamroz has been a key leader in both institutions for over four decades, significantly contributing to the Livonia community.

Originating from Garden City, Sr. Nancy is a 1959 graduate of Ladywood High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Madonna College, followed by a Master's in Educational Administration from Marygrove College, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy.

After twenty years of teaching in elementary and high schools across Michigan, she was named Dean of Students at Madonna College in 1983. Six years later, in 1989, she advanced to the position of Vice President for Student Services. Over her two-decade tenure as vice president, she oversaw athletics and a range of student-focused departments, including student and residential life, campus ministry, and the Center for Personalized Instruction.

Her involvement extends far beyond that of the Livonia community and Madonna as three years ago, Imam Arif Huskic, the founder and President of the Common Word Alliance Clergy Interfaith Organization, honored Sr. Nancy Marie Jamroz with numerous awards for her dedication to advancing interfaith understanding and dialogue.

Paul Shepich

Clarenceville Public Schools

Paul Shepich's career in the Clarenceville School District began as the principal of Clarenceville High School, where he served for ten years before his appointment as superintendent in 2014. Prior to his tenure at Clarenceville, he held various leadership roles, including principal and school director in Mason County, amassing over four decades of educational experience.

In Livonia, Shepich is celebrated for fostering an inclusive environment that emphasizes "whole-child development" and for spearheading the creation of new athletic facilities.

Upon his retirement as Superintendent, Shepich's legacy remains distinguished by his purposeful, passionate, collaborative, and empathetic leadership.

Shepich has dedicated his career to nurturing educational communities that live by the "All Means All" principle, ensuring that every member of the Clarenceville School District benefits from a quality education in a supportive environment.

His transformative leadership is marked by a steadfast dedication to service, always prioritizing the welfare of the school community and the betterment of others.

Rotary AM Club

Building a lasting community often hinges on the success of service clubs. The Livonia AM Rotary exemplifies Livonia's commitment to enhancing the quality of life.

The Livonia AM Rotary Club consists of committed individuals who unite to positively impact their community and beyond.

The club's membership boasts a diverse array of professionals, business owners, community leaders, academics, students, and retirees from across southern Michigan.

They gather to socialize, deliberate on community needs, and initiate actions to meet those needs. Their endeavors may encompass local service projects, fundraising efforts, and backing global initiatives.

Events range from the Touch a Truck, co-founded with the Rotary Interact Club at Churchill High School, offering hands-on experiences to over 7,000 locals each August, to the Annual Spaghetti Dinner, in collaboration with the Rotary Noon Club, which raises funds to combat polio.

The latest initiative involves a partnership with Livonia Kids & Family to construct a walk-in cooler at Clarenceville High School, ensuring students and families have ongoing access to fresh food.

Jim and Annette McConnell

Livonia Historical Society

Jim and Annette McConnell's legacy extends beyond their hometown of Livonia, encompassing community engagement throughout Southeast Michigan and the entire state.

Jim, a Detroit native, graduated from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School, followed by Albion College (B.A.) and Wayne State University (M.A. and Ed.D.). Annette, also born in Detroit and a fellow graduate of Wyandotte Roosevelt High School, attended Michigan State University for two years before obtaining a B.S. and M.A. from Southern Connecticut State University.

Jim dedicated most of his career to the Dearborn Public Schools and was seconded to the State of Michigan to assist in coordinating several historical commemorations: the Declaration of Independence Bicentennial in 1976, the Michigan Statehood Sesquicentennial from 1986 to 1987, and the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights Bicentennial from 1987 to 1991. He also contributed as a curriculum writer on the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Michigan.

Together, Jim and Annette co-authored various historical books, newsletters, and publications. They penned "Our Journey: The History of Nardin Park United Methodist Church" and edited "The History of the Michigan Council for the Social Studies." They were instrumental in founding the Michigan Council for History Education, served on its board, and edited monthly E-Notes for social studies educators across the state. Their volunteer work extended to the Detroit Historical Society, the Historical Society of Michigan, Friends of the Livonia Library, among others. With Jim as Secretary for Michigan’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Annette organized numerous public symposiums, historical commemorations, and tours of 1812 historical sites. In 2012, they were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Historical Society of Michigan, becoming the only couple to receive this accolade.

They took on leadership roles within the Livonia Historical Society; Jim as President and Annette as Recording Secretary.

KATHLEEN J. MCCANN

16th District Court Judge

District judges in Michigan play a crucial role in upholding justice, resolving conflicts, and safeguarding rights. They are the closest Judicial position to the residents of the town they represent. Their influence goes beyond singular cases, enhancing the legal system's overall efficacy.

After obtaining her English degree from Hillsdale College, Kathleen McCann dedicated a year to teaching Advanced Placement English at Livonia Public Schools. She then pursued her law degree in evening classes, graduating from Detroit College of Law in 1978.

As an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County for a few years, she established a domestic relations law firm in Oakland County in 1983.

In 1995, upon her father's retirement, Judge James McCann, she was elected to the 16th District Court, where she has served for 28 years. She was the president of the Michigan District Judges Association from 2010-2011 and secured a position on the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.

The creation of a sobriety court marks a significant milestone in her career. This two-year initiative mandates that participants check in with probation officers bi-weekly, submit to daily substance tests, and obtain crucial mental health and addiction treatments.

McCann is set to retire from her judgeship at the end of 2024. She finds fulfillment in her current position, remarking, "Right now, I'm in the best place I can be," and identifies as "a people's judge."

David Parr

Past Chairman, St. Mary's Hospital

Active community residents have for generations been providing leadership and laying the foundational elements of a hometown during its initial growth phase.

Dave Parr has been just such an influential figure in Livonia for over fifty years working often behind the scenes and helping with the definition of Livonia's quality of life.

His notable contributions include leadership roles in the Churchill High School Booster Club, the Livonia Beautification Commission, and the 1990 Vote Yes Livonia recycling initiative. Additionally, he has presided over the LPS Community Education Advisory Council and been a member of the Livonia Planning Commission.

His commitment to community service also encompassed a four-year tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Mary's Hospital, followed by two years of service as the hospital integrated into a regional network.

As a founder and volunteer, he ascended to the position of Chairman of the Board for Paint the Town, overseeing the annual painting of 400 homes for sixteen years, which included 200 homes in Detroit and 200 in surrounding areas.

His association with St. Mary's Hospital further led him to the Mercy Education Project, where he took on the roles of President and Chairperson, championing educational opportunities for women and girls.

For the last three years, Parr has also been serving on the Livonia Library Commission.

Sense. Feel. Cultivate. Enjoy every aspect of Livonia. If earth’s great treasure lies in human personality, Livonia is a rich community indeed.

Understanding a small part of our hometown history to better understand the rich heritage that we now call Livonia.

Potowatami Indians originally inhabited the area that is now Livonia. Rich soil and abundant harvests had first attracted pioneers from New England and New York to this area. They brought with them a new way of life and perhaps the very name "Livonia"—the name of a town in New York State, Pennsylvania State and a region of the Baltic Sea comprising present day Estonia and Latvia.

By March 17, 1835, when an act of territorial legislature set the boundaries of Livonia Township, a forested wilderness had become an area of prosperous dairy farms and fruit orchards.

For the first 100 years, Livonians raised sheep and dairy cattle and grew vegetables and grain. Growth was slow. But gradually, over the years, dirt trails became roads and then hard-surfaced highways.

In the late 1940's, the area took its first dramatic step from agriculture to commerce and industry. In 1948, the General Motors Corporation built an automatic transmission plant, soon to be followed by a Ford Motor Company parts depot.

In 1949, the Michigan Racing Association built a thoroughbred harness racetrack near I-96 and Middlebelt Road at a cost of five million dollars. In order for the entire area of the Township of Livonia to benefit from racetrack revenues, it became necessary for the Township to incorporate. On May 23, 1950, the entire Township was incorporated into the City of Livonia.

The City of Livonia has held on to much of its heritage through historic preservation, and the acquisition and development of over 1800 acres of park land and open space. On land it purchased in 1976 at the southwest corner of Eight Mile and Newburgh, the City established Greenmead Historical Village. This 103-acre parcel includes the historical Greenmead Farm and 13 historical buildings.

With a population of almost 96,000 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census, Livonia is Michigan’s ninth largest city. It maintains a friendly hometown atmosphere and is known for its public safety and public services and high level of community involvement.

A Heritage of Outstanding City of Livonia Elected Officials and Livonia Public School Trustees

from 1950 to the Present

Elected Officials – Bill Joyner's Friday Musings

Friends of the Library Hall of Fame Class of 2009

Still Active in Support of the Bennett Civic Center Library

Richard McDowell

Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Still sharing memories of his time as President of Schoolcraft College

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.