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Additional millages for Livonia
Topic Started: May 5 2011, 07:57 PM (1,306 Views)
Deleted User
Deleted User

Livonia mayor asks for second millage for senior center, Greenmead
12:32 PM, May. 5, 2011 |
1 Comments


Written by
Ken Abramczyk
Observer Staff Writer

* Filed Under
* News
* Livonia

Mayor Jack Kirksey has asked the Livonia City Council to place a second millage request before voters on the Aug. 2 primary ballot.

The council, already on tap to discuss and vote on Wednesday on whether to place a 1.7 mill request on the primary ballot for public safety, also will talk about a .25 mill proposal to fund the Livonia Senior Center and Greenmead Historical Village.

Both millage proposals will be discussed at the council’s meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at City Hall.

In a letter sent to the council on May 4, Kirksey requested a second millage for the Aug. 2 ballot. Kirksey asked for a proposal of 0.3 mill to maintain staff, maintenance and support costs for the senior center and Greenmead.

“This proposal would address the needs of the Senior Center and Greenmead Historical Village and budget dollars for comprehensive support services,” Kirksey said in the letter.
Council President Jim McCann asked that the council discuss on Wednesday a second proposal of .25 mills to be placed before voters. That proposal would cost about $18 for the owner of an average-valued home in Livonia and raise about $1 million.

That proposal and the 1.7 mills for police and fire need a minimum of five council members’ support.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110505/NEWS10/110505008/Livonia-mayor-asks-second-millage-senior-center-Greenmead?odyssey=mod_sectionstories
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Hopeful
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
No! No! No!

No new millages! No increased millages! No new taxes! No increased taxes! No fees! No more money from me!

Livonia needs to learn how to balance the budget and live within their revenue. Personally people have had to change their spending habits, based on lower wages, salary cuts, higher taxes and higher costs for benefits. When will this city and school district wake up to the reality of today's financial crisis?
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Mrs.M
Veteran
Suggesting millages to support city services and amenities without being transparent, open, honest and frugal with spending - reminds me of my kids saying they need me to help subsidize their gasoline bill because it has increased and they didn't get a pay increase to offset that increase.

They still practice jack rabbit starts; are not condensing and consolidating their driving; spend the big bucks on brand name clothing; have not curtailed 'luxuries' like theater tickets and going out to eat - even off the dollar menus.

Sorry buddy, show me that you've ended your unnecessary spending, then I'll suggest additional ways to cut spending and THEN we'll see how much you really need. Until then, NO MONEY!
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Otis B.
Veteran
How many employees are still getting their personal vehicles paid for by the taxpayers?
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Justasking
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Hopeful and Mrs.M.

Do you realize that your tax bill has dropped in the last few years?
Were you unhappy with the amount before?

My point is simply this:
"We enjoyed the city services back in 2006. Our taxes have dropped about 25% since then. How should the city make up for that? I don't want to give up 25% of the services. We are paying less, but expecting the same level of service. That can't happen (unless the system was running inefficiently in the past; which is possible)"

Is your point that you just see a lot of waste and won't be happy until we are running the smallest most efficient gov't possible? If so, that is a valid stance, and a lot of people support small gov't.

Personally, I want a balance between the smallest possible gov't and a city that provides a vast variety of services. I don't know exactly where that balance is.

The Livonia budget is posted on the web, and I have spent a lot of time looking at it. It gave me far more questions than answers. I am surprised at all of the costs, but I don't really see any area that is blatently overstaffed.

I am not a fan of an individual millage for each item that we want to fund, but at least that way we get some voice in what we see value in. I think a millage for a senior center is ok, but I also wonder why we don't charge for the services offered. I can't visit the rec center without paying. Would a $20 annual pass solve the funding issues for the senior center?
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Otis B.
Veteran
Justasking:

Yes, our taxes are low now, but if our home values ever recover they will skyrocket with all of these additional millages. That's what Kirksey conveniently leaves out when he says "It will just be another $20/year."
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want2know..
Advanced Member
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I pay HUNDREDS of dollars a year to use our Rec Cen, and pay HUNDREDS more for high school sports and Livonia Junior Athletic League (LJAL). We pay to go to the movies, out to eat, and for entertainment if we choose to go. Why don’t we let those using Greenmead and the Senior Center pay to go? Set up some kind of donation fund (maybe from those receiving multiple pensions) to help any seniors that simply can’t pay.

I agree it's possible our home values could eventually recover, then we’ll be stuck paying all of these additional millages, fees, and yes – taxes, on top of higher property taxes!

BTW, the online Observer article on this has lots of good comments..
http://www.hometownlife.com/comments/article/20110505/NEWS10/110505008/Livonia-mayor-asks-second-millage-senior-center-Greenmead
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Justasking
Advanced Member
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Otis B.
May 6 2011, 09:59 AM
Justasking:

Yes, our taxes are low now, but if our home values ever recover they will skyrocket with all of these additional millages. That's what Kirksey conveniently leaves out when he says "It will just be another $20/year."
I wonder if it could be written with a "cap".
Something like "to only generate a maximum of $xx.xx". Sort of the way that the headlee amendment capped mils.
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redhawktrader
9:28 AM on May 8, 2011
Based on Joe Laura's comments, it appears that he is thinking correctly.........I sure hope he runs against Kirksey, we need younger minds to address the problems in Livonia.

edjew
1:47 PM on May 8, 2011
I'm glad to hear the council and mayor are doing the job of making the tough decisions we elected them to do, LOL. Kicking the can down the road as expected. Heres a thought. You want to keep Greenmead? Charge at the gate to get in. You want a senior center? make seniors buy an annual pass to use it. This way we see exactly what portion of our community even use these services. If it turns out that Greenmead is used by 2% of the community than they either support it or it goes away. The argument that is part of what makes Livonia the type of city people want to move to is garbage. Are they saying someone WOULDN"T move to Livonia if Greenmead wasn't here, I don't think so. Also, with the senior center, the only people that use it are the seniors so why shouldn't they pay for it?
Livonia needs to do what Sandy Springs Georgia did 5 years ago: privatize everything except police and fire. They are an affluent community of 100,00 and their resident satisfaction is at an all time high and they have no long-term liabilities at all! They have cut their costs in half and since 2005, four surrounding Georgia cities have adopted the model. Cut and paste this link in to your browser and see for yourself:

http://www.sandyspringsga.org/Newsroom/Sandy-Springs-in-the-News

coverlet
2:40 PM on May 8, 2011
Edjew, since my mother is a senior citizen and isn't using the schools, I suggest she shouldn't pay for them either. Oh, and I don't use the golf courses or city parks, can I get a refund, too?

carguy2
4:06 PM on May 8, 2011
edjew is right these services should be privatized. It should be pay as you go even education. If parents had to pay tuition rather than property tax they might be a little more vigilant about how there children perform in school.

bow_wow
9:24 PM on May 8, 2011
The problem with your logic coverlet is -- the golf courses and city parks are available to everyone -- the senior center benefits a only a select group of citizens.

As for the schools, Livonia doesn't have the ability to only tax those who directly use their schools so it is a moot point.

coverlet
4:30 PM on May 9, 2011
No, the golf courses are for those that GOLF, therefore they can only be used by golfers, just like the senior citizen centers are for seniors. Parks are nice, but there again, they are available to those that WANT to use them, therefore a fee should be charged. Parks are not a NEED.

carguy2
4:03 PM on May 8, 2011
If Kirksey's name is on the ballot my vote will be no on all millages. This guy has been sucking on the public teat for much to long. I don't want him administering one dime of my tax dollars.

edjew
5:08 PM on May 8, 2011
COVERLET:

I am in total agreement with you. I think people without children should not pay school taxes. Furthermore, I am against the entire monopoly the public school system has. It is unfair to force funding through taxation of a system that I believe many wouldn't use if they had the choice as to where their money would be spent on education. I have even contacted Gov. Snyders office and suggested that the funding follow the child be it at public, private, charter or religious schools. That would make education competitive and greatly increase the results we receive for our dollars IMHO.
As for golf courses, why is the city involved in that business at all? Parks, I'd have no problem with having to buy a parks sticker for livonia parks and not being able to use them unless I had one. Really, the only optional city service I use is the library and I'd be happy to pay for my library card as well. Anyone not paying for the card can't use the library.
You really should check out the links I posted on Sandy Springs Georgi, that's the way we should go and we'd not even talking about milliage increases right now. We'd have a surplus and be able to get our lousy roads paved, fund Greenmead and the seniors, add more police and fire and enhance all remaining services as well!

LPSReformer
7:12 PM on May 8, 2011
Vouchers would be a wonderful way to increase competition and accountibility.

RecordKeeper
8:09 PM on May 8, 2011
While we're privatizing non- essential services, let's throw the rec center in there as well. Do our tax dollars really need to be subsidizing three heated pools and a water slide amongst other luxuries? So much money was wasted by our incompetent government during good times, and now they have no idea what cuts look like.

The fact that we're having this conversation while our tax dollars still pay for departmental cars is ludicrous. It's time to send a message and vote BOTH of these proposals down.

cirvek
8:58 PM on May 8, 2011
"Kirksey said Friday the city has received positive feedback on the public safety millage", this goesto show you just how out of touch the mayor is. Cut the City Hall Staff, cut the workers at the court do not touch the first responders. The mayor does not read the comments that have been posted here. My vote is for Joe. Do not raise millages, taxes until the contracts are settled. Open up all the city contracts. This place is really starting to stink. City owned cars, increases for water, food, energy,etc. These people are living life large. It is time for a dose of reality. There is too much nepotism. Cut the staff.

sturge
10:38 PM on May 8, 2011
I certainly hope that the Council will just place the public safety millage on the ballot alone with the five year sunset clause.This is not the time to get greedy when our city is on it's heels. Get this millage passed, come up with additional cost cutting alternatives and work for a better economy. This Mayor is only upsetting the citizens with this additional millage and he could blow the whole deal.

Regal777
6:40 AM on May 9, 2011
JOE LAURA FOR MAYOR!!!
First of all, the city doesn't need all the police & fire they already have. Public safety is 130% over staffed as it is now, and 67% of the budget goes to police & fire.......so what does that tell you? Unfortunately, just like the public sector-- some are going to have to go.....don't we all wish it was Kirksey!!! The guy is 80+ yrs. old.......move on old man........people scoff at "career politicians"......go away, and move over for new blood that actually embraces the 21st Century. ( I wonder if Kirksey, or his constituents even know what Synder means when he says "dashboard", and "best practices")

Cheers!

LivinLivonia
11:15 PM on May 9, 2011
You sound as tho you have inside information. Enlighten us. Where do you get your numbers that public safety is 130% overstaffed? I looked high and low over the city's budget and websight and I can find that number anywhere. I think you're making this up. A liar.

kristian19
7:11 AM on May 11, 2011
You have repeated this assertion about the overstaffing. Would you share your basis for this?

dogwhisperer
8:39 AM on May 9, 2011
I have to agree with Joe Laura that the city needs to get its own financial house in order before asking the residents for more money. Privatization is where cities need to look. It has worked well for the golf courses and ice rinks in Livonia. Now it's time to look at other city departments.

I'm sure we'll hear on Wednesday about how tough the decision is that the council is making. How tough is it to pass the buck to voters? The council was elected to make tough decisions, so make them with the money that you currently have!

coverlet
4:33 PM on May 9, 2011
Why not a fee for garbage pick up like Plymouth has? Some of my neighbors generate so much trash it's unreal. There is a widower a few houses down that puts out only one small bag a week.

dogwhisperer
6:42 PM on May 9, 2011
Garbage is the city's largest contract. If you're looking to save money, that's a good place to look.

bow_wow
9:01 AM on May 10, 2011
How about garbage pickup every other week in the winter??? For the majority of people, this would not be an issue.

edjew
11:06 PM on May 9, 2011
The problem with adding all these fees is that it removes the need for the council and mayor to run the city more efficiently. There are alot of us out there that said "how are we going to make ends meet with expenses rising and income shrinking?" Somehow, we all found a way to adjust and the city government can to if we make them do it.

cirvek
6:51 AM on May 10, 2011
No one likes to look in the mirror and say the emperor has no clothes. But this really isn't that difficut. Open up the city contracts first. Settle the City contracts first. Stop the incremental wage increases that have been going on while the rest of us have to deal with the loss of jobs, wages and benefits. This is not business as usual. The Mayor should have been out in front of this freight train. Instead he comes at the last minute and wants money. This guy is driving the train with no lights. Cut City workers and I do not mean the first responders. There are positions that can be eliminated, permanently. It is time for the leaders fo this City to realize that it is not business as usual. What do the leaders suggest when there isn't enough money for the budget next year ? Create a long term plan. Start laying off City and Court staffers, not First Responders. This is not sustainable. Has the City even laid off one person or are they playing the card trick of we didn't fill that position when that person retired ? Do not come to us, the citizens, and ask for more money. Stop the take home cars, start with laying off staff.

cub92
8:53 AM on May 10, 2011
Let me just make sure I understand you correctly. You are incensed that a millage is being proposed which would cost an average homeowner ~$150 even though the average homeowner in Livonia's property taxes have decreased by $600 year over the last few. So, the homeowner is still ahead no matter what.

Let the voters decide if they want to support this millage or not. Let them decide the level of serivces they want Livonia to provide. If you want to see your property values continue to decrease, cut police and fire, cut parks, cut garbage pickup, etc. You can have property values like Detroit in no time.

RecordKeeper
8:40 AM on May 10, 2011
Every time I walk into the rec center there is one employee behind the desk working and three that are screwing around and chatting. There's three non-essential emplyees right there. If the mayor and CC had any guts whatsoever, they would have been taking a fine tooth comb to the employee rolls over the past year live cirvek said. Instead we have a bunch of cowardly career politicians led by Kirksey who don't really care about the state of the city or it's finances. They care about their perks and careers, and if that means not upsetting the proverbial apple cart while Livonia burns...well then burn Livonia, burn! The mayor and CC (possibly save Joe Laura) are gutless.

bow_wow
9:04 AM on May 10, 2011
Is revenue sharing going to be based on the governor's "best practices" (ie: public employees paying 20% of their healthcare) -- like it will in for the public schools?

If so, what is Livonia's plan to meet this standard???

toohightaxes
10:45 AM on May 10, 2011
To respond to cub92, with all due respect, your argument is flawed. Your reasoning that “property taxes have decreased by $600 a year over the last few. So, the homeowner is still ahead no matter what,” is typical political spin. Millage rates on property tax are designed as such so you only pay on the value of the home. To say we are “still head” so we can now pay more, is assuming that the economy has only affected that one thing that we as homeowners need to budget. Gas prices have gone up a minimum of $1.00 a gallon just recently. For many people that is $30 a week more or $1560 a year. The $600 savings just got ate up. Many have had a decrease in salaries or in sales if they are a businessowner. It is insulting when a tax increase is justified by saying how much money we are saving because we just lost 25% of our home’s value. For me it is a principled reason I will be voting against the millages. I think our first responders are the best, which is evident when you read the paper. Livonia Police always get the bad guys. But the mayor’s tactics are very questionable. Announcing we need millages at the last minute shows incompetency, by not looking forward into our finances. It is not new information that property values are down. Before he comes to the taxpayers, show us the steps made to decrease spending, eliminating employee cars, higher copays on insurance, eliminating staff due to technology. The fact is that most citizens don’t know what can or can’t be cut because of contract provisions, Livonia by-laws or Michigan regulation. But campaigning to increase a millage by saying “property taxes have decreased by $600 year so we are saving money”; instead of promoting any cuts and actions that have taken place, it leaves me very skeptical of the aptitude of this administration. More money is not always the right answer. It also needs to be spend wisely. Also, if he does not run, my write-in vote is Joe Laura for Mayor!

bow_wow
2:55 PM on May 10, 2011
toohigh -- you are so right. You might add that household incomes have stayed flat or declined.

cub92 obviously does not do the grocery shopping at his house...

sleeperagent
12:36 PM on May 10, 2011
Increasing taxes is contrary to how Snyder wants cities to live within their means. By doing this, Livonia will place in on Snyder's 'black list' and be in line for less State help. A permanent millage would also be wrong since if home prices rebound, the amount tax will be a greater amount. Government is wrong to always solve its problems via further taxation-- it's like pouring money down a drain. Even if the Michigan economy ever recovers, these taxes will never be rescinded since politicians always find a way to spend money rather than rescind taxes. Please read the excellent Detroit News editorial in the Fri May 6th edition.
They should try to cut the budget in general first rather than assuming they need more taxes. They're also using scare tactics to snooker the voters-- you'll lose these services if you don't etc. For example, why can't we try less cops and see if it works?
The spineless council probably will place it on the ballot, led by career political leech McCann(who also doesn't understand the concept of term limits.) The gutless voters will also probably pass it, just as they did all those countless school millages for frivilous things like outdoor team houses at CHS-- even though it didn't help when the Legacy project closed several schools. Let them pay my taxes as well!

bow_wow
3:00 PM on May 10, 2011
from the Det News editorial:

The governor asked that public employee benefits be brought in line with the private sector, a reasonable expectation that taxpayers in these communities apparently don't accept.

Likely they bought into the fear mongering of the police and fire unions, who campaigned heavily for the tax hikes.

Regal777
1:48 PM on May 10, 2011
A few things...............
1~ I agree wholeheartedly with Cirvek, Recordkeeper and Toohightaxes. I staunchly disagree with Cub92 (whom is probably a bleeding heart liberal)
2~ Joe Laura for Mayor.....agreed!
3~ Public Safety Depts. are 130% over staffed, and to be cut. Grab the pink pad, and start writing. As a valid CPL holder, I'll take care of my own security....that's how we used to roll in this country!
4~ Joe Laura for Mayor!
5~ Kirksey is 80+ yrs. old. He's about as useful as John Dingle or Conyers (or the Levin boys for that matter!).
~~~"TIme to go Jack............and this time.............DON'T COME BACK!!"

Cheers!

edjew
10:02 PM on May 10, 2011
I will be at the city council meeting tomorrow. I hope to see all of those opposed to this millage there!

cirvek
6:50 AM on May 11, 2011
I would like to go, however I have my other job that prevents me from attending. I was able to keep my budget balanced until food prices and energy costs started to go up and my wages and benefuts from my day job went down. I do hope that most people will show up and reiterate what has been written here. This is City is fat and it is time to cut the fact out.

http://www.hometownlife.com/comments/article/20110508/NEWS10/105080518/Council-expected-act-two-millage-proposals-Wednesday
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Deleted User
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Livonia council OKs two millage ballot requests
10:41 AM, May. 12, 2011

Written by
Ken Abramczyk
Observer Staff Writer

* Livonia

Livonia voters can expect to be asked to approve two millage increases on the primary election ballot on Aug. 2.

The Livonia City Council approved two proposals Wednesday night: a 1.7 mill increase request for police and fire and a .25 mill for the Livonia Senior Center and Greenmead Historical Village. Both passed on 5-2 votes with Council President Jim McCann, and council members Brian Meakin,Maureen Miller Brosnan, Conrad Schwartz and Laura Toy supporting separate resolutions to place the proposals on the ballot. Council Vice President Joe Laura and Councilman John Pastor opposed the resolutions.

The proposals must be approved by Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette by May 24 to be placed on the city’s primary election ballot.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110512/NEWS10/110512006/Livonia-council-OKs-two-millage-ballot-requests?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|p
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srj900
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Look at all the thousands of homes and businesses that pay millions in taxes to this city. They make it sound as if all those dollars are going to just tread water financially. If the economy continues on a down trend, will that give them cause to ask for another increase down the road? When is it going to sink into people's heads that these requests for millage increases are a sign that this bunch running our city has failed? And it is a slippery slope once they start asking for millages for this and for that. Where does it end? They are going to see, if it passes, how easy it is to slip through, and proceed to do the same next time. On an August day with small turn out.

I agree with the other poster. Why now? Why not see what comes by November? VOTE NO! Send a message that we are the ones in charge of this city and make the tough choices. The sky is not falling.

Also, Joe Laura can't run because the filing deadline has passed. The only one running is a lawyer that is in favor of increased taxes. Lucky us on our choices for mayor.
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ruserious
Member
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OK, so the mayor says there is a $6.2 million shortfall in the next year budget. He asks for a 1.25 millage increase. The council autorizes a 1.7 millage increase to provide $7 million in revenue. Why do we need a .25 mil increase for the Senior Center and Greenmead when the difference in the Mayor's request and Council's request would appear to cover that without a problem?
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Otis B.
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ruserious
May 12 2011, 09:00 PM
OK, so the mayor says there is a $6.2 million shortfall in the next year budget. He asks for a 1.25 millage increase. The council autorizes a 1.7 millage increase to provide $7 million in revenue. Why do we need a .25 mil increase for the Senior Center and Greenmead when the difference in the Mayor's request and Council's request would appear to cover that without a problem?
A little slush fund never hurt anybody. ^o)
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Ava
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So what? Who cares?
ruserious
May 12 2011, 09:00 PM
OK, so the mayor says there is a $6.2 million shortfall in the next year budget. He asks for a 1.25 millage increase. The council autorizes a 1.7 millage increase to provide $7 million in revenue. Why do we need a .25 mil increase for the Senior Center and Greenmead when the difference in the Mayor's request and Council's request would appear to cover that without a problem?
They are hoping most voters (seniors) won't "do the math." They will turn out in droves to save the senior center! Kirksey is so smart! If he gets them out for the little millage, they will vote for the big one too! They are the ones that vote in this city, so that's who he is targeting. He is very clever!

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DADDYOH10
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Ava
May 13 2011, 09:30 AM
ruserious
May 12 2011, 09:00 PM
OK, so the mayor says there is a $6.2 million shortfall in the next year budget. He asks for a 1.25 millage increase. The council autorizes a 1.7 millage increase to provide $7 million in revenue. Why do we need a .25 mil increase for the Senior Center and Greenmead when the difference in the Mayor's request and Council's request would appear to cover that without a problem?
They are hoping most voters (seniors) won't "do the math." They will turn out in droves to save the senior center! Kirksey is so smart! If he gets them out for the little millage, they will vote for the big one too! They are the ones that vote in this city, so that's who he is targeting. He is very clever!

I agree with Ava on Jerksy's plan to attack...He'll have his cake and eat it too! Then he'll eat your cake and your neighbor's, aunties and uncle's, and probably raise the fee on your dog too.... sharing of course "his sacrifice" to run again with the help of those that support tax hikes and with no thought or end in sight..."You can fool most of the people , most of the time. Some of the people some of the time, but not all of us all of the time!"
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want2know..
Advanced Member
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Why does the May 8 Observer article say this “The discretionary items that don't have to be funded are concerns of mine and others in the community, McCann said. Those items include the Senior Center, senior activities and Greenmead, McCann said. If we don't have other funding sources, these will be the first things to be closed, McCann said”.

And then the May 15 article says this about the Livonia Senior Center: “Kirksey said no one was threatening to take those services away from that facility, but that without additional revenue, it was more than likely the facility would cut back hours or reduce a day of operations.”

So which is it, will the Senior Center cut back hours, or, close down entirely if additional revenue isn’t found? That’s a big difference…….Aren’t the mayor and the city council president looking at the same numbers?

Here’s the May 8 article link and its 30-some comments:
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105080518
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
There's no need to fear....
UnderJack is here!
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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want2know..
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I do support having a senior center, but before threatening to make cuts to it, does our mayor et al even explore any alternatives before asking the taxpayers to raise revenue for it?

Do the members of the Senior Center (& Greenmead) do fundraisers? Rummage sales, bake/pierogi sales, bingo, Vegas nights….they all bring in cash. Those of us with kids are familiar with this concept: In addition to the HUNDREDs of dollars a year we pay for high school sports, they also have fundraisers where your kid is given a quota to sell….so you can solicit your neighbors/relatives, or you can put in the extra money yourself! Also, many seniors in Livonia probably wouldn’t mind paying a small annual fee to belong, with a fund set up for those who can’t afford it.

I realize the amount of this millage proposal is small, but frankly I’m tired of this mayor asking the taxpayers to make up the difference for everything. For years now he’s been saying things like he’s “working on” eliminating the non-essential city cars. If he looks inward a little harder he probably would find enough to supplement our senior center.
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George
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want2know..
May 15 2011, 06:48 PM
I do support having a senior center, but before threatening to make cuts to it, does our mayor et al even explore any alternatives before asking the taxpayers to raise revenue for it?

Do the members of the Senior Center (& Greenmead) do fundraisers? Rummage sales, bake/pierogi sales, bingo, Vegas nights….they all bring in cash. Those of us with kids are familiar with this concept: In addition to the HUNDREDs of dollars a year we pay for high school sports, they also have fundraisers where your kid is given a quota to sell….so you can solicit your neighbors/relatives, or you can put in the extra money yourself! Also, many seniors in Livonia probably wouldn’t mind paying a small annual fee to belong, with a fund set up for those who can’t afford it.

I realize the amount of this millage proposal is small, but frankly I’m tired of this mayor asking the taxpayers to make up the difference for everything. For years now he’s been saying things like he’s “working on” eliminating the non-essential city cars. If he looks inward a little harder he probably would find enough to supplement our senior center.
Maybe someone needs to FOIA to find out exactly where they are at with funding. I can't imagine it costs a lot of money to run that program.
Edited by George, May 15 2011, 08:26 PM.
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Otis B.
Veteran
"Brosnan wanted to ask voters for a permanent millage and without the five-year sunset to tackle increasing costs, which she believed would continue to rise."

Nice to see that Brosnan has gone over to the dark side.
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