Election Season.

Livonia should set the highest standard.

The typewriter is hoping that this year's city election, the last election before a new Mayor is elected in 2015, will deal with outside and inside the box issues; staying away from the tried and tired mantras, cliches and images that paint a picture only of a candidate who "supports our police and fire," "supports our senior citizens," supports conservative principles."

What do any of those mean? Little. They are bereft of substance and leave thinking voters wanting more.

Here are some starting points as voters should demand a substantive narrative, a policy discussion and a vision for the future.

Quite frankly we have some intelligent candidates who have shown they are creative thinkers. Tell them you want to tap into that creativity.

Livonia 2014: The City of Livonia shall appoint 14 committees comprised of 20 residents for the sole purpose of developing a Livonia Tomorrow Plan. The committees shall be comprised of volunteers making application to the President of the Livonia City Council with the appointment being made December 1, 2013 and with said volunteers serving until June 1, 2014 at which time a full report shall be issued to the Livonia City Council.

Authority 2014: The City of Livonia shall appoint two independent review boards to study the legal and financial options for the establishment of a Livonia Library Authority and a Greenmead Historical Village Authority. The review boards shall be appointed no later than December 1, 2013, meet until May 1, 2014 and will provide the Livonia City Council a full report and recommendation at a special meeting of the Council during the month of May.

Recognize our heritage: The City of Livonia shall designate the roads in Civic Center Park and Greenmead in honor of those who served as Mayor. The longest road from the Police Station to the Court House shall be named in honor of our longest serving Mayor Jack Kirksey. The road to the west of city hall shall be named in honor of Mayor Bob Bennett, with the road to the east of city hall being named in honor of our first Mayor, Jesse Ziegler. The entrance road at Greenmead shall be named in honor of Mayor Jack Engebretson. The loop road at Greenmead shall be named in honor of Mayor Robert McCann.

Larry Nehasil Park: Recognizing the important role our first responders play in helping maintain a safe hometown and wanting to share the stories of those who gave their lives in

service to their community the City of Livonia will alter the plan of creating a memorial walk adjacent to City Hall and place the Larry Nehasil Park at Greenmead so that the tens of thousands of visitors to Greenmead Village from throughout southeast Michigan will see the respect and admiration in which we hold those who died protecting our hometown.

City Council President: The City of Livonia will remove the provision selecting the President of the City Council by votes received in a general city election to a vote by members of the City Council.

Grant writer: The City of Livonia will actively seek an individual to pursue sponsorships, write grants and assist community organizations in identifying private fund raising opportunities. The position shall be funded with a private-public sponsorship arranged for with the support of the Livonia business community.

Sponsorships, including naming rights, will be sought for Greenmead, Wilson Barn, arts organizations, parks, Spree, among others.

A committee of retired foundation President's, corporate CEOs, labor leaders, philanthropic managers and banking officials will be appointed to work with the grant writer with a stated goal of raising one million dollars during calendar year 2014.

Artist in residence: The City of Livonia shall announce a national search for an artist in residence program with the goal of selecting one artist to live at Greenmead or in a city owned foreclosed home and will teach classes in their art field, provide an art show at the end of their tenure and dedicate one piece of their artwork for permanent display in the City. The cost of the program will be a public/private partnership. The artist could be a song writer, painter, musician, the world is the limit.

That's a start. Let's see if the level of discussion will set a standard for Livonia elections for years to come.

Very well done editorial on the recent "political" issue about the primary along with your reference to a former mayor's statement about the value of a primary, especially how it at least puts forth names and gives a sense of public support to those caring enough to run. Potential candidates may not necessarily win, but at least they've gained name recognition and insights by way of the ballot.

I would like to support Seedlings. So after reading about the fund raiser at Flemings decided to purchase a ticket and go. Have always wanted to visit Flemings so this is my chance to check them out.

Wanted to let you know that Julie and I each purchased a ticket for the Seedlings party at Flemings. We will be there and look forward to supporting Seedlings.

I just wanted to let you know about a Human Trafficking event State Senator Judy Emmons is holding in Livonia in conjunction with the state's effort to raise awareness on the issue. The event is going to be co-sponsored with the Livonia Human Relations Commission, Wednesday, June 26, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Civic Center Library. Hope to see you there!

For years this man seemed to operate on a four year plan. Learn. Participate. Experience. Move on. Not with people but with the experiences of life. Learn about art. Try it. Realize what others already know. That art is special and not all can achieve but all can appreciate.

He finally realized that he was intrigued at the life he was living. It seemed that a part of his mental state moves on and another new mental ambition takes over.

So one day he made up a sign and hung it around his neck reading Under New Management. He had nothing to lose, no tired uninspired relations that were maintained for little reason; no habits like dressing or eating; no pampered tastes; no outward demeanor to preserve.

He could make new friends or revive old relationships. He could throw off any mannerism, take up any endeavor, study any subject, the world would be his campground.

It was during this introspection, the attempt at understanding why he had this insatiable desire to learn, to study, to meet and talk with people that he realized that it was time to take possession of his life.

You see he wanted to start the impossible, to journey to the limits of his aspirations, to step toward his fondest dreams.

He would say every morning to the image of the person next to him, the memories of the soul who found a way into his heart, that caused him the creative inspiration to whisper "If only I had known then what I know now, but now because of you I know enough to begin.

The image was real. The heart was filled. The future was full of possibilities.

Each election season, every four years in our hometown gives us the possibility of taking what we love, add a little knowledge and continue to add to that which we know will make us better.

The typewriter enjoyed the appetizers and wine selection at last year's Flemings event. . .and the year before. . .and the year before. Something about Flemings and wine and the great Seedlings company.

Join Seedlings Braille Books for Children for a casual night of mingling with fellow Seedlings

supporters at Fleming's Steakhouse on Friday, July 12th from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

email seedlink7@ameritech.net.