You can t win if you re not willing to play the game.
Members of the group Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives spent much of 2020 calling their city council officials asking for more transparency, accountability for police and to repair the reputation as a racist city they say Livonia has built over the years.
Now, the group is running a political action committee, or PAC, to elect people who are willing to engage in those conversations. According to 2019 census data, about 12.3% of Livonia residents identify as non-white.
“We realized that we need people on city council who are able to engage with us and the public on this issue and any issue that they don’t feel comfortable with, Delisha Upshaw, one of the lead organizers for the Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives PAC, said. If you can’t do that, then you need to find a new job.”
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) recently introduced Senate Bill 395, which would amend the state constitution to require pet owners to keep pets in a warm environment when temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The bill allows pets outside for 30 consecutive minutes at a time or for an extended time when participating in a recreational activity like walking.
Polehanki said discussion in Livonia prompted the bill. In late February, residents took to social media and city council meetings to protest a homeowner leaving his two beagles outdoors during a cold snap. The discussion also inspired a local ordinance to do the same.
Chuck Robertson has never missed one of his daughters swim meets.
“All of us girls would look up to him in the stands and he’d give us a fist pump before a race, his oldest, Sophia Robertson, said. We’d all give him a fist pump back. He’s the best dad.”
Now, Chuck is in the intensive care unit at at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia following complications with COVID-19. He s been in the hospital for about 40 days, over half of which has been spent on a ventilator that is doing all of his breathing for him.
Teachers have argued Witt, a trained lawyer, does not have the background or training needed to run a school district. Witt has been with Redford Union since October 2019, at which time he was hired as assistant superintendent of human resources.
Witt did not return a call requesting comment. It s unfortunate, said Steve Losey, the president of the educators union. Elections have consequences and the students, staff and community members will feel those consequences after four elected officials made their choice last night.
According to Losey, attendees wanting to participate in public comment were allowed in the building two at a time but could not watch the open meeting live. The board limited capacity inside its meeting room because of the pandemic.