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

APRIL MARCH

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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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