Post on 31-May-2020
More than 100 people gathered Tuesday, March 24 at Schoolcraft College to listen to a concept for an invention that would help people quickly find a device in a loaded tool box by verbal command.
The concept used Wi-Fi, barcode scanner, ID scanner, small motors, and voice memory technology.
The inventor of “The Autoshelf” was Emerson Middle School student Darin Kupstas, who was selected the first-place winner in the inaugural Livonia Public Schools Inventors Contest.
Frost Middle School’s Kayla Blauet earned second place with “The Elements Alarm,” and Holmes Middle School’s Ryan Ollar grabbed third with “The Automatic Suitcase.”
The trio was among 15 middle school students who earned a spot in the LPS Inventors Showcase, and presented their inventions to a crowd of parents, business and community leaders. Industrial arts teachers at Emerson, Frost, and Holmes middle schools sorted through some 300 student inventions and selected five finalists from each school. A group of judges from local businesses, secondary education and higher education selected the three top inventions from among the 15 finalists.
The Young Inventors Showcase was a wonderful opportunity for LPS students to show off their
talents and ingenuity,” said Emerson Middle School Principal Ann Owen, one of the lead organizers of the LPS Inventors Contest. “They were so excited to explain their projects to the audience. If the level of applause can be used as a barometer of success – they are first-place winners!”
A team of educators, business leaders, and community advocates organized the LPS Inventors Contest to inspire a passion among young people to build things, and inform their parents about the great need by employers across the state and nation for technical and skilled workers.
Welders, electricians, machinists, computer technicians, and other skilled occupations will make up an anticipated 2.5 million new U.S. jobs by 2017, according to a report in the USA Today last fall. Experienced skilled workers can earn $100,000 a year with overtime.
“A young person’s hopes for good career prospects does not rely on an ACT or SAT test, but rather developing the technical skills that are needed in the marketplace,” said Livonia Chamber of Commerce President Dan West.
The other LPS Inventors Contest finalists were: Aleahea DeFrain, Rachel Ferguson, Andrew Ledda, Tyler Locker, Emily O’Sullivan, Gryffon Parks, Anthony Paul, Nithin Philip, John Pokryfky, Evan Steiner, Dominic VerVaecke, and Nathan Waligora.
The LPS Inventors Contest was supported by Livonia Public Schools, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, Schoolcraft College, AlphaUSA, Livonia Kids and Families, Dave & Busters, Livonia AM Rotary Club, The UPS Store, and Dozer Cycle Studio.
LPS INVENTORS SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT CREATIVITY
INSIDE Upcoming Events……………...….………2 New Chamber Members….....……......3 & 5 Renewals………………....…….…….4 & 6 Grand Openings ………..........................7 MI Hidden Talent Tour……………....……9 Leadership & Awards Celebration…..….....10 Ambassador Briefs…………..…………...15
Chamber News Livonia’s Business Connection
March/April 2015
Dan West, President
LAUREL PARK
ANNOUNCES
MULTI-MILLION
DOLLAR
REINVESTMENT
On April 2, 2015, officials with Laurel Park Place announced plans for a comprehensive renovation of the approximately 500,000 square-foot mall, including new seating, carpeting, tile, light fixtures and more. The multi-million dollar project is to be completed by November 2015. A local landmark, one of the first things shoppers will notice is a refreshed Laurel Park Place logo atop the main entrance along Six Mile Road. Once inside, customers will be greeted with a contemporary new ambiance. Improvements continue with modern new light fixtures and reconfigured ceilings to allow for more natural sunlight. A huge plus for customers will be the sleek new comfortable soft seating areas. Select mall restrooms are also targeted for renovation, including new tile flooring, fixtures and refinishing. “We are privileged to serve Livonia and pleased to reinvest in the community with this exciting project,” says Sarah Enlow, Marketing Director, Laurel Park Place. The announcement comes on the heels of the news that European fashion retailer H&M will be joining the shopping center before the end of the year.
LPS Inventors
Showcase’s finalists
pose for a picture with
Tom “Dozer”
Strangway of Dozer
Cycle Studio.
2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair KAREN SANBORN Madonna University
Chair Elect DAN LAIBLE NYX, Inc.
Treasurer KATHY RAYMOR Lis, McCallion, Raymor & Co., P.C.
GRETCHEN ALANIZ TRW Automotive
CHARLES DARDAS AlphaUSA
KEN WAGNER State Farm Insurance
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAUL BOHN Fausone Bohn, LLP
TERRY CROUSON The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit
BRENDA DURLING Schoolcraft College/VisTaTech Center
HAITHAM FAKHOURI Bold Media
STEVE FUTRELL Technology Solutions
KEN HUNT Ford Motor Company
JAMISON JANDA Embassy Suites
BRANDON KRITZMAN OHM Advisors
DR. RANDY LIEPA Livonia Public Schools
BETSY MCCUE Huntington Bank
JOHN MURPHY Commercial Lawnmower
DAVID SPIVEY St. Mary Mercy Hospital
MARK TAORMINA City of Livonia
PETER VENTURA Principal Associates
STAFF
DAN WEST President/CEO
DAWNNE TOPPA Vice President
DEBBIE FERENSIC Office Manager
LAURA TAHMOUCH Director of Marketing & Events
MARCIE CICCARELLI Communications Assistant
LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 33233 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154 734.427.2122
734.427.6055 (fax) www.Livonia.org
Chamber News
Monday, April 20 Meet Your New Senator Gary Peters
Sponsored by AlphaUSA & NYX, Inc Italian American Banquet Center
(39200 Five Mile Road) 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. $20 per Member
Hear from our new U.S. Senator Gary Peters at this event with the
Greater Farmington Area Chamber
Wednesday, April 29 Neighborly Networking Sponsored by Zeal Credit Union
Westland City Hall (36300 Warren Road, Westland)
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. $5 per Member Come network with members from
the Westland Chamber at their new city hall building.
Upcoming Events
Livonia Chamber of Commerce
djwest777 LivoniaChamber
LivoniaChamberof Commerce.Blogspot
TheLivoniaChamber Livonia Chamber
of Commerce
2
Business Breakfast Roundtable
Sponsored by Davenport University, Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan and Schoolcraft College Detroit Marriott Livonia (17100 N. Laurel Park Drive)
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. $15 per Member
Panel will include Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, Westland Mayor Bill Wild, Detroit Free Press’ Tom Walsh
and Detroit News’ Nolan Finley
Livonia Business Expo Hall Sponsored by Constant Contact, Consumers Energy, Edward Jones -
Robin Whitfield, Freedom Hill and Livonia Spree
Laurel Park Place Mall (37700 Six Mile Road)
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 8’ Exhibit Tables Available $250 per Exhibit Table
FREE Admission to Public
Networking Frenzy
Sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union
Laurel Park Place Food Court (37700 Six Mile Road) 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
$5 per Member—Limited Space
Tastefully Livonia Sponsored by Foresters Financial Partners and Tennyson Chevrolet
Detroit Marriott Livonia (17100 N. Laurel Park Drive)
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. $20 per Ticket Featuring local restaurants and
a silent auction for Livonia Chamber scholarship program
Have you activated your www.livonia.org login
to register online?
It’s easy! Contact the chamber by calling 734.427.2122 or email
Toppa@livonia.org to get started!
APRIL
29th annual Livonia Business Expo Wednesday, May 6
Detroit Marriott Livonia & Laurel Park Place Presented by Madonna University, AlphaUSA,
Laurel Park Place and Level One Bank
Chamber News Chamber News 3
ADP
Category: Payroll Services Contact: Al Sylaj
5850 Mercury Dr. Dearborn, MI 48126
586-604-2352
313-432-2703(Fax) www.adp.com
Arcade Cuts
Category: Barber Shop
Contact: Michael Makki 17941 Haggerty Rd
Northville, MI 48167 313-570-7797
www.ArcadeCuts.com
BIGGBY Coffee
Category: Coffee Café Contact: Ed Buison
37403 Ann Arbor Rd. Livonia, MI 48150
734-744-8554
www.biggby.com
Billy’s Roofing Category: Roofing
Contact: Kenneth W. Mills
27513 Grand River Avenue Livonia, MI 48152
734-421-9100 248-478-5004(Fax)
www.billysroofing.com
Forever Families, Inc.
Category: Non-Profit Contact: Amber Ogden 17940 Farmington Road
Suite 301 Livonia, MI 48152
734-762-0909 734-762-0901 (Fax)
www.forever-families.org
Greenmead Historical Park
Category: Non-Profit Contact: Kathy Bilger
20501 Newburgh Rd. Livonia, MI 48152
248-477-7375
248-426-8568(Fax) www.ci.livonia.mi.us
Kentwood Office Furniture
Category: Furniture
Contact: Denise Byrwa 40500 Grand River Avenue
Novi, MI 48375 248-422-4888
734-422-5593(Fax)
www.kentwoodoffice.com
Klisz Law Office, PLLC Category: Attorney at Law
Contact: Tim Klisz 39111 W. Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
313-402-0853 866-456-8341(Fax)
www.kliszlaw.com
La Shish Kabab
Category: Restaurant & Catering Contact: Moe Naji
29112 Five Mile Road Livonia, MI 48154
734-418-6333
Modern Xterior Improvement
Category: Home Improvement Contact: Jesse Giermanski 12725 Stark Rd. Suite C
Livonia, MI 48150 734-367-4867
734-293-2624(Fax) www.modernpros.com
"NET" (N=Networking E=Empowerment T=Team)
Category: Clubs & Organizations Contact: Fred Salmu 33233 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154 734-462-7424
NovaStar Solutions
Category: Computer and Reseller Services
Contact: Glen Krieger 35200 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-838-9545 www.novastar.net
NuWeb Marketing, Inc.
Category: Web Design
Contact: Joshua Holdeman Westland, MI 48185
734-837-8637 nuweb.marketing
Plymouth Computer & Phone Sales & Service
Category: Computer Sales Contact: Nasser Abunab
27840 Plymouth Rd. Livonia MI 48150
734-744-9563
734-744-9565 (Fax) www.pcnphone.com
Prime Grill
Category: Restaurant
Contact: Enri Dauti 13840 Merriman Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150 734-524-0000
734-524-0001(Fax)
www.PrimeLivonia.com
Pro-Tech Property Services Category: General Contractor
Contact: Jennifer Reo
41695 Greenbriar Lane Plymouth, MI 48170
248-344-1540 248-344-1545(Fax)
www.protechpropertyservices.com
Quad Communication, Inc.
Category: Cable contractor Contact: Scott DeWitt
36951 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150 248-259-6605
NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2015
Congratulations to the following organizations for recently
investing in the work of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
New members continue on page 5.
Chamber News 4
Thank you to the following organizations for continuing to invest in the Livonia Chamber.
RENEWALS FEBRUARY - MARCH 2015
3 Kings Marketing, LLC
Advanced Spinal Fitness
Advicoach of Michigan
All Night Auto
Allie Brothers of Livonia
Allstate Insurance -
Drewniak Agency
American Dryer, Inc.
American Montessori Academy
American Ring Manufacturing
Apartment Services Company
Archie’s
Arlington Agency Inc.
Ashley Court of Livonia
Autumnwood of Livonia –
Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
Bath Fitter
Bill Brown Ford
BMD Charities
Bravo! Cucina Italiana
Busch’s
Canton Computers
Carousel Cleaning Service
Cebella’s Pizza
Christ Our Savior
Lutheran Church
City of Livonia Golf Division
Clarenceville School District
ClearWater
Construction Services
Contractors Steel Co.
Courtyard By Marriott
D&B Landscaping
Davis Security Systems
Dental Smiles of Livonia
Ehlers Heating & Air Conditioning
Energy Alliance Group of Michigan / R.A. Bedzyk
Consulting, LLC
ERA Country Ridge Realty
ETD Staffing Services
Faith Bible Church
Feblo International
Fifth Third Bank
First Baptist Church of Livonia
Foresters Financial Partners
Fred Wood Funeral Home
Functional Floors
Gargaro Construction
George H. Pastor and Sons, Inc.
Golden Gifts – Jewelers
Graphik Concepts, Inc.
Guardian Plumbing and Heating
Harry J. Will Funeral Home, Inc.
Henderson Glass
Hines Park Lincoln
HomeAide, LLC -
In Home Elderly Care
HR Solutions Group/JVS
Huron Valley Ambulance
IDN- Hardware Sales, Inc
ITT Technical Institute
J.C. Gibbons Manufacturing Inc.
James R. Stewart, Jr.,
D.D.S., P.C.
JD Candler Roofing Company
Joseph Productions, Inc.
Kirk’s Auto Care
KTX America, Inc.
LaFontaine Toyota Scion Kia Honda Hyundai Volkswagen &
Pre-Owned Vehicles
LB Office Products
Little Caesars Pizza
Livonia Anniversary Committee
Livonia Counseling Center
Livonia Dental Care -
Jay S. Nitzkin, D.D.S, P.C.
Livonia Junior Athletic League
Livonia Marketplace
Livonia Rotary Club
Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition
Livonia Towing
Lowe’s
Marston Optometry
Meakin & Associates, Inc.
Michigan Educational
Credit union
Michigan.com
Muscular Dystrophy Association
My Hobby Place & Toys
New Horizons CLC
Newburgh Swim Club
O'Malley's Bar & Grill
Open Arms Church
Parkside Credit Union
Perry & Drummy, Inc.
Personalized Hearing Care
Renewals continue on page 6.
Chamber News 5 Chamber News
Rooter MD
Plumbing & Heating Category: Plumbing and
Mechanical Contractors Contact: Pete Wood
31675 W. Eight Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152 248-888-7777
248-888-7786 (Fax) www.rootermd.com
Salon Trinity of Livonia Category: Salon
Contact: Martha Bouchard 37577 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-591-5955 www.SalonTrinityofLivonia.com
Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
Category: Hotels and Motels Contact: Kevin Dombrow
21111 Haggerty Road
Novi, MI 48375 248-349-4000
248-349-4302 (Fax) www.sheratondetroitnovi.com
Sunfish Properties, LLC Category: Rentals
Contact: Scott Wake 11021 Flamingo St. Livonia, MI 48150
231-392-6373
Stempin's Lawn Care
and Landscaping Category: Landscaping
Contact: Jeff Stempin P.O. Box 51316
Livonia, MI 48151
734-564-7873
Steve's Family Dining Category: Restaurant
Contact: Steve Nedarouski
15800 Middlebelt Livonia, MI 48154
734-425-9800 www.stevesfamilydininglivonia.com
US Ecology, Inc. Category: Environmental
Contact: Dave Crumrine 17440 College Parkway
Suite 300
Livonia, MI 48152 734-521-8000
734-521-8140(Fax) www.usecology.com
Vivo Wellness Center Category: Health and Wellness
Contact: Denise Strauss 15875 Middlebelt Rd. Suite 200
Livonia, MI 48154
734-525-5400 www.vivowellnesscenter.com
WelcomeMat Services
Category: Marketing Services Contact: Karen Bitterle
Northville, MI 48167 734-646-9650
www.welcomematservices.com
Women's Council of Realtors
275 Corridor Chapter Category: Clubs and
Organizations
Contact: Tony Schippa P.O. Box 51662
Livonia, MI 48151
NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2015 CONTINUED
SAVE THE DATES!
Tom Wilson Luncheon Wednesday, May 20
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Laurel Manor Banquet Center
Wine Tasting Wednesday, June 3
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Andiamo of Livonia
Mind Your Business: Accounting & Legal Workshops
Wednesday, May 13
2 - 3 PM: Accounting
3 - 4 PM: Legal
Livonia Chamber Office
Chamber News 6
Pete’s Heating & Cooling
Phantom Fireworks
Principal Associates, LLC
Real Estate One
Realcomp II Ltd. /
MoveInMichigan.com
Renewal By Anderson
Rightway Automotive Credit
Security Designs
Shepard Insurance Agency
Soave Landscaping, LLC
St. Paul of the Cross Passionist
Retreat and Conference Center
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
Starfish Family Services
State Farm Insurance –
Ryan Wagner Agency
Stenco Construction Company
Sunny Media Group
Technology Solutions, LLC
Tennyson Chevrolet, Inc.
The Crack Team
The Village of Westland
Thrivent Financial
Title One
Tri-County Title Agency, Inc.
UHY LLP
University of Michigan –
Livonia Health Center
Walmart – North
Webasto Roof & Components SE
Westland Shopping Center
Wonder Janitorial Service, Inc.
Wright Beamer, PLC
XFER Communications
RENEWALS FOR FEBRUARY - MARCH 2015 CONTINUED
Gov. Rick Snyder’s recently announced new energy objectives
that he feels will allow Michigan to strategically adjust to new
energy generation as federal regulations will require a number of
aging power plants across the state to shutter over the next
several years.
Those closed plants will result in a significant reduction in energy
supplies to Michigan residents and businesses until new facilities
are built. Michigan’s two largest utilities – DTE Energy and
Consumers Energy – are looking to return to a regulated energy
industry for market certainty before making the large investments
needed to adequately power the state.
Snyder’s plan, announced in March, focuses on an increase in
renewable energy sources and reduction in energy waste. He
added his plan features a series of in-state initiatives designed to
provide affordable, reliable, adaptable and environmentally sound
energy with modern facilities.
While there are many elements of the governor’s plan that have
bi-partisan support, there will be debate in the state legislature
over the role of competitors to DTE Energy and Consumers
Energy, the state’s two largest utilities. The state deregulated the
energy industry in 2008 which created competitive options for 10
percent of the state’s business and residential energy customers.
DTE Energy and Consumers Energy officials said most of these
new competitors are out-of-state companies that do not operate
facilities or pay taxes in Michigan.
Snyder said he favors keeping the 10 percent cap, but does not
want to increase that target. The governor also seeks a “fair
choice” policy that would require competitors to invest in some
of the new energy generation facilities in order to do business in
Michigan.
“We can live with the 10 percent target, but we would rather
eliminate it because it would provide market stability that leads to
more affordable and reliable energy generations for the state’s
families and businesses,” said Greg Meyer, area manager at
Livonia Center for Consumers Energy.
Meyer added Consumers Energy is working to build support for
the governor’s plan.
Since it is expected DTE Energy and Consumers Energy will
need to spend billions on new energy facilities, Meyer said the
utilities want a non-competitive but regulated electric market that
allows them to appropriately plan for future energy needs. While
critics say more competition would provide better consumer
pricing, Meyer said energy is a unique industry and more
competition would create a volatile market and supply shortfalls.
State House and Senate hearings are scheduled for the coming
weeks on this issue. Lawmakers are mulling alternative legislation
to Snyder’s plan, including bills that would eliminate the 10
percent cap on customer choice and return Michigan to a fully
regulated energy market, or create full competition for the energy
business.
MICHIGAN UTILITIES SEEK REGULATED MARKET WITH SNYDER ENERGY POLICY
Chamber News 7 Chamber News
LLLIVONIAIVONIAIVONIA CCCHAMBERHAMBERHAMBER GGGRANDRANDRAND OOOPENINGSPENINGSPENINGS
Community Choice Credit Union celebrated their grand opening on March 5.
They are located at 15420 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 and can
be reached at 877-243-2528. www.communitychoicecu.com
Malone Staffing Solutions celebrated their ribbon cutting on March 3. They are located at 32290 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be
reached at 248-921-2303. www.malonesolutions.com
BIGGBY Coffee celebrated their grand opening on March 13. They are located at 37403 Ann Arbor Road,
Livonia, MI 48150 and can be reached at 734-744-8554.
www.biggby.com
Best Western Hospitality Hotel celebrated their grand opening on March 5.
They are located at 16999 S. Laurel Park Drive, Livonia, MI 48154 and can
be reached at 734-464-0050. www.bestwestern.com
Chamber News 8
Chamber News Chamber News 9
Why should we be focusing on inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce in Michigan?
That’s the main question Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein says he hears when talking about hiring people with disabilities.
“This is not charity. This is about the idea that if you give a disabled person an opportunity, if you give them a chance to work with you, to have them be a part of your community... you are going to find the most highly energetic, highly passionate, most incredibly loyal people that you could ever possibly hope to employ,” he said. “You’re going to find people who live life with an incredible sense of excitement and energy.”
Bernstein, who made history becoming the nation’s first blind state Supreme Court justice this term, spoke with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley during a panel discussion on Monday, March 30 at Livonia’s Embassy Suites hotel—sponsored by Services To Enhance Potential and Embassy Suites. The discussion, which also featured some local business representatives, was hosted by the Livonia, Westland and Greater Farmington Area chambers of commerce.
The two state officials kicked off The MI Hidden Talent Tour in Livonia. The tour is designed to encourage businesses to develop disability hiring policies, as well as showcase talents of residents with disabilities.
Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, said while more people are finding work in Michigan, about 500,000 people with disabilities are still searching.
Calley shared the story of when he and his wife learned their daughter had autism, saying things began to change when the couple began accepting the condition and working toward making their daughter’s life better.
“When I first learned several years ago that my daughter had autism, we already knew that something was different,” Calley said. “When we received this diagnosis, this label, of autism, I really didn’t know what to make of it.”
That perspective, Calley said, has given him a different view of workers with disabilities.
Jeannie Stone, vice president of human resources at Wixom-based Trijicon Inc., said her company has worked with others to locate and hire those with disabilities.
It’s a move, she said, that has paid off.
“What we found was we got loyal employees who came to work every day excited to be there,” she said.
“I didn’t hire them because I wanted to be nice. I hired them because they had the skills to do the job.”
Calley said several companies he has heard from identified worthy employees with disabilities.
“You’ll have people you’ll hire and you’ll go, ‘Where have you been all my life?’” he said. “We’ve heard that in different cases around.”
STATE OFFICIALS TALK DISABLED WORKERS AT LIVONIA FORUM
Nearly 100 members of the chambers and the communities listened to the panel, which included Brent C. Mikulski, President/CEO of Services to Enhance Potential; Jeannie Stone, vice president of human resources at Wixom-based Trijicon Inc.; Lt. Governor Brian Calley; Suzanne Howell, Director of Michigan Rehabilitation Services; and Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein.
By David Veselenak , Observer & Eccentric
Chamber News 10
The 11th annual Leadership and Awards Celebration took place
on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Laurel Manor, sponsored by AlphaUSA,
Marsh & McLennan Agency, St. Mary Mercy Hospital and
Madonna University.
NYX Inc., honored as the 2015 Outstanding Large Business of
the Year, designs and builds interior components and under-hood
parts that are directly supplied to GM, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda,
and Nissan. To meet production demands, NYX built a
40,000-square-foot structure to expand its Plymouth Road
manufacturing facility that opened last summer. Overall, NYX
runs seven facilities in suburban Detroit with a diverse collection
of employees that includes natives from some 30 countries.
The company has been generous in Livonia as a regular sponsor
of programs for St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia Chamber of
Commerce, Livonia Robotics team, and various youth sports.
“We have been happy to call Livonia our home since day one,”
said NYX CEO Jay Sandhu. “And since we are a part of this
place, we like to give back whenever we can.”
The 2015 Outstanding Small Business of the Year was the UPS
Store in the Village Shopping Center, a shop owned for 19 years
by Eric Ladwig. His team of eight employees, including wife Liz,
processes some 16,000 packages each year, operates 300 post
office boxes, and provides other high-tech office services such as
printing and copying. Eric is on a first-name basis with most of
the hundreds of people who walk through his store’s doors each
week.
“We should give back to the community that supports us,” Ladwig
said, “and in the process, it has become fun to get to know so
many people.”
Among the causes Eric and Liz Ladwig support with time and
money include the Angel’s Place Food Pantry, Livonia Kids and
Families, and the Livonia Symphony Orchestra.
The Schoolcraft College Jeffress Center and Masri Orthodontics
received this year’s Community Enhancement Awards, which
honors Livonia companies that invest in a construction project
that makes a visible difference in the community.
Schoolcraft College opened the Jeffress Center last year,
re-utilizing the former American Community Mutual Insurance
building at Seven Mile and Haggerty that sat empty for five years.
The four-story building holds new offices for administration,
business development, and continuing education functions, as well
as new satellite facilities for University of Toledo and Wayne State
University. Other operations on campus were expanded and
enhanced as part of the overall $18 million project.
The building is named for current Schoolcraft
President Dr. Conway Jeffress, who has run the
school for 14 years and worked there for 32
years.
Dr. Nawaf Masri razed a small medical office –
vacant for several years – on Levan near Five
Mile, and constructed a new, two-story building
featuring stone, brick, and glass. The
10,000-squre-foot building opened last April.
The project culminated years of planning,
ignited shortly after Masri purchased the
Livonia practice in 2003, then located on
Schoolcraft Road.
“We are very proud of this city and we want to
serve this community well,” Masri said. “With
this investment, we are saying our staff, our
clients, and our community deserve a really nice
building.”
CHAMBER, COMMUNITY HONOR
LIVONIA LEADERS
The night’s honorees gather for a group photo at the end of the celebration.
Chamber News Chamber News 11
There was a surprise presentation of a third Community
Enhancement Award to Chuck Dardas, the first time an individual
was honored with the award. As president and COO for
AlphaUSA, he is empowered by the company’s generous owners
to be involved in the community. Along with Dennis Wright and
Eric Ladwig, they created a new charity, Livonia Kids and
Families. The charity has raised thousands of dollars over the two
years that created a food pantry for needy Livonia middle school
families; purchase musical instruments, school supplies and shop
tools for students; provide college and YMCA camp scholarships;
and provide direct aid to financially strapped families enduring a
medical crisis. In his spare time, he purchases food and barbecues
summer lunches at the Livonia Senior Center, and he leads book
clubs there.
Kohl’s department store on Seven Mile near Middlebelt was
selected as the inaugural recipient of the Livonia Greenleaf
Award. Developed by the City of Livonia’s Greenleaf
Commission on Sustainability, the panel aims to reward those
Livonia businesses that implement strategies that place equal
importance on environmental quality, economic prosperity, and
social equity.
The Livonia Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year – for the
chamber’s leading volunteer – was Julie Van Ameyde. She owns
and operates the marketing and social media consulting company,
Simply Social Media. Over the past year, she has been
omnipresent as an attendee and/or volunteer at chamber
programs, grand openings, and other efforts that welcomed new
businesses to the Chamber.
The Livonia Public Schools and Clarenceville School District
celebrated their Teachers of the Year, including Terry Macek,
Judy Bowling, Janell Keberly and Jacqueline Price from Livonia
and Kathleen O’Callaghan and Sarai Stetson from Clarenceville.
Partner of the event, the Livonia Observer honored two
individuals as well by awarding the Outstanding Youth Award to
Sadallah Farah and the Livonia First Citizen Award to Debra
Bonde.
Sadallah Farah, an 18-year-old senior at Livonia Churchill, has
sought out his own volunteer opportunities. He has served as
president of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. Farah
organized the first-ever KLAA Talent Show, which raised $1,000
for Special Olympics, and a KLAA volleyball tournament that
raised $8,000 for C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. He founded the
Guy's Group for Special Needs Students, and spent one to two
days a week doing crafts or other activities with special-needs
students at school.
Debra Bonde is the founder and director of Seedlings Braille
Books for Children. Bonde does volunteer work outside of
Seedlings as a member of the Livonia Civic Chorus, and she
founded the Anna Bonde Scholarship in memory of her daughter
who was killed by a drunk driver in 2001. Bonde also does
volunteer work for the New Hope Center for Grief Support and
at her church, Emmanuel Lutheran in Livonia.
Thank you to all our Landmark Businesses & Trustee Members for
their continued support!
Chamber News 12
Voters are being asked to increase Michigan’s sales tax rate from 6% to 7%, which would increase state revenues by about $2 billion per year, create a series of Constitutional and statutory changes that impact rates and methods for collecting fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, and mandate spending increases for certain programs. If approved, the proposal would provide at least $1.2 billion more for road and bridge maintenance, $300 million more for school aid, nearly $100 million more for local governments, $130 million more for public transit, increase earned income tax credits for low-income families by $260 million, add $40 million
more for at-risk school programs, and revise competitive bidding and warranties for road work.
The Livonia Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors analyzed the proposal and noted there were strong opinions among Chamber members who support and oppose this proposal. Accordingly, the Board of Directors concludes the following:
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce will not take a position involving this matter, but the Chamber prepared this balanced analysis of the proposal to better educate chamber members. While there is agreement that additional investment is needed to better repair our roads, there are many questions about the long-term impact of the constitutional and statutory provisions in this proposal. We could not find consensus among our membership to take a position for or against the measure. Each side offers debate as to the ways to adequately fund necessary road repairs.
Those who support the measure contend:
Michigan invests the least per capita in road repair compared to any other state in the Midwest, and increasing the sales tax to 7% would keep Michigan near the national median for this tax.
The earmarked increased spending from this proposal is mandated and cannot be manipulated by legislative action. Supporters add there is widespread support for more state investment in the other programs beyond roads and bridge repairs.
They acknowledge there is no perfect proposal to fund roads, but the roads are in need of repair and there is no alternative plan in place to increase road repair funding if voters defeat this measure.
Those against the measure argue:
This is a poorly-constructed proposal developed in an 11th hour deal during December’s lame duck legislative session where lawmakers deferred their responsibilities to increase road funding to the voters.
They are more likely to support a measure to ex-clusively provide more road repair funding. They do not like the “Christmas Tree” approach to funding several other elements when polling indicates that most residents are in favor of boosting funding only for roads.
They also fear there are long-term detrimental issues with the Constitutional changes in this proposal which only can be reversed through another statewide referendum.
ANALYSIS OF STATE VOTE MAY 5
Chamber News Chamber News 13
5TH ANNUAL LIVONIA HOME SHOW The Livonia Chamber held it’s 5th annual Livonia Home Improvement Show at a new location on March 21 - the Livonia Community Recreation Center. Sponsored by Bright House Networks, the move was a great success! Attendees enjoyed the hospitality of Bob Evans Restaurant, Blue Plate Diner and Primo’s Pizza while discussing future home projects with some 45 vendors; including Bath Planet (left) and Billy’s Roofing (right).
Save the Date for the 6th annual Livonia Home Improvement Show: Saturday, March 19, 2016
Chamber News 14
Chamber News Chamber News 15
These featured members are honored as Ambassadors of the Month for their volunteer time for member retention,
member development and Chamber events.
Kathy Hoen
Community Alliance Credit Union (734) 464-8079
www.CommunityAllianceCU.org
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Julie Van Ameyde
Simply Social Media LLC
(248) 773-7110
www.SimplySocialMediaLLC.com
Julie Van Ameyde is the President of Michigan based Simply Social Media LLC. Her imaginative vision has helped businesses throughout the Midwest create, shape and successfully share their brands through online marketing. With over 25 years of business development and marketing experience, Julie knows all too well how challenging the world of social media can be. For over a decade, Julie built a reputation as a “go to” consultant to Silicon Valley based technology start-ups. Now as the President of Simply Social Media, Julie puts her combined knowledge of social media platforms and best practices to work for clients. In addition, she contributes considerable time and energy to civic outreach programs, as well as community and charity groups. Julie was named the Ambassador of the Year for 2014.
Kathy Hoen is the Business Development Officer for Community Alliance Credit Union, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution that is open 7 days a week in Livonia. Kathy is the past Chair of the Livonia Chamber Board of Directors, the current Chair of the Livonia Family YMCA and is involved in a number of other Livonia community groups. When asked why she shares so much of her time and effort with the Livonia Chamber, Kathy responded, “I love to create connections between businesses. I am intrigued by the commitment, passion and drive that business owners invest in their businesses. The Livonia Chamber helps business owners leverage those important attributes into success, sales and growth. In addition to offering business loans, business accounts and financial guidance, my involvement in the Chamber is one of the best ways for Community Alliance to demonstrate their commitment to the Livonia business community.
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