"In the 19th state House Democratic primary, Steve King defeated political newcomer Jon Smith 2,606-1,881. King, a former school board member of Livonia Public Schools, will now move on to the general election in November, where he will go against current Republican state Rep. Laura Cox, who is looking for her second term in Lansing."
- Livonia Observer 8/2/2016
District 19 (Livonia): Democrat Steve King is the better choice in this race. He believes the current taxation level is too high, and would examine the budget closely for waste, fraud and other inefficiencies.
- Detroit News 7/15/2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Steve King shares his ideas with hometownlife (Livonia Observer)
Excerpts from 16 Livonia City Council candidates share their views (published 7/28/15)
What is your specific plan to help bring more residents, especially young families, to the City of Livonia?
King – Young families are most interested in vibrant neighborhoods and good schools. The city and school district must do a better job of working together. The city stood on the sidelines while the district closed schools and lost thousands of students. I believe the city could have played a stronger role in preventing this and must be more involved moving forward. I would like to start a program I call operation renovation that would purchase foreclosed and dilapidated homes turning them into showplaces. A downtown at Five Mile and Farmington similar to Kellogg Park in Plymouth could be the anchor for new family friendly development.
What can be done to continue business development in the city, especially along the industrial corridor along the railroad tracks, as well as Plymouth Road?
King – Livonia is not small business friendly and that needs to change. A culture of service has to permeate all departments in the city with the new mayor leading the charge. As a city we need to decide what industries we want and then actively pursue them. Oakland County went after technology and biomedical and is the most successful county in the country. That is what we need to emulate. We need to consider vertical farming, 3D manufacturing, bioengineering and alternative energy companies to enhance our current industrial base.
What do you think of the idea of creating one downtown or several smaller downtowns in Livonia? How would you go about doing that?
King – I spoke about a downtown during my last campaign and I think it sparked some interest that led to a field trip and fact-finding mission of sorts to a far away city that someone thought was like Livonia. I believe the outcome was, as it is with most government initiatives, a consultant would have to be hired and endless meetings would take place that would not result in much. That will not happen if I am elected. I will do the ground work to make sure it’s right and actually make it happen by getting our citizens engaged in the process.
What would you like to see changed about city government?
King – I would like to transition to an open-source government. That is that any idea from any source and anyone is given a hearing. I would like us to implement a mindset that every program or proposal have a technical and sustainability component. For instance doing things digitally as opposed to using paper. And always looking for a way to use less finite resources and energy. I think Dave Varga’s position as chief of staff or whatever it is called should be retooled to be an ombudsman. The first contact for any issue a citizen may have and the follow-up to make sure the problem has been solved.
Steve King reminds Livonia residents to vote this Tuesday, August 4th. Vote Steve King!
What is your specific plan to help bring more residents, especially young families, to the City of Livonia?
King – Young families are most interested in vibrant neighborhoods and good schools. The city and school district must do a better job of working together. The city stood on the sidelines while the district closed schools and lost thousands of students. I believe the city could have played a stronger role in preventing this and must be more involved moving forward. I would like to start a program I call operation renovation that would purchase foreclosed and dilapidated homes turning them into showplaces. A downtown at Five Mile and Farmington similar to Kellogg Park in Plymouth could be the anchor for new family friendly development.
What can be done to continue business development in the city, especially along the industrial corridor along the railroad tracks, as well as Plymouth Road?
King – Livonia is not small business friendly and that needs to change. A culture of service has to permeate all departments in the city with the new mayor leading the charge. As a city we need to decide what industries we want and then actively pursue them. Oakland County went after technology and biomedical and is the most successful county in the country. That is what we need to emulate. We need to consider vertical farming, 3D manufacturing, bioengineering and alternative energy companies to enhance our current industrial base.
What do you think of the idea of creating one downtown or several smaller downtowns in Livonia? How would you go about doing that?
King – I spoke about a downtown during my last campaign and I think it sparked some interest that led to a field trip and fact-finding mission of sorts to a far away city that someone thought was like Livonia. I believe the outcome was, as it is with most government initiatives, a consultant would have to be hired and endless meetings would take place that would not result in much. That will not happen if I am elected. I will do the ground work to make sure it’s right and actually make it happen by getting our citizens engaged in the process.
What would you like to see changed about city government?
King – I would like to transition to an open-source government. That is that any idea from any source and anyone is given a hearing. I would like us to implement a mindset that every program or proposal have a technical and sustainability component. For instance doing things digitally as opposed to using paper. And always looking for a way to use less finite resources and energy. I think Dave Varga’s position as chief of staff or whatever it is called should be retooled to be an ombudsman. The first contact for any issue a citizen may have and the follow-up to make sure the problem has been solved.
Steve King reminds Livonia residents to vote this Tuesday, August 4th. Vote Steve King!
Monday, July 27, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Steve King Endorsed by hometownlife O&E Media
hometownlife O&E Media
Sunday, June 14, 2015
2015 Livonia City Council race
I'm in the race and will accept any help from those that are interested. Please contact me at steveking1954@gmail.com
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Livonia 2021
Livonia 2021
Imagine this Livonia 10 years from now…
Friends and neighbors are gathering in Livonia Town Center Square, nestled on the southeast corner of 5 mile and Farmington for a concert event on the solar powered GE outdoor stage celebrating the 50th year of live performing for Steve King and The Dittilies.
Many of the concertgoers will be coming from the new restaurants and merchant shops that ring the town center. Others will have hitched a ride on the electric and hydrogen fuel busses that are such a common sight around the designated “greenest city” in Wayne County. Still others have walked from the reduced foot print, elevator parking structure that now stands where the dilapidated school administration building once stood. Some have chosen simply to ride their bicycles, utilizing the city-wide bike trail system that began with the first trail along Hubbard road between 5 & 6 mile the very first year King was elected to city council. You may remember it was the same year the city launched its “I Lost Ten” health initiative, challenging Livonia residents to shed a combined 1 million pounds in one year’s time – an effort that brought first lady Michelle Obama to our city and put Livonia in the national spotlight.
The many artisans that are in attendance for the concert have walked from the lofts where they live above their shops on the East side of Town Center Square. It is this corridor of the square that was built expressly for the many talented artists in the region, and has been growing steadily as more craftsmen migrate to the city because of its thriving art culture. Their presence has been an economic boon for the city, in fact, the recent annual Town Center art show just experienced record attendance, bringing more than 50 thousand attendees to the Square over the weekend. Merchants and artists alike are happy and proud to be a part of Livonia’s revitalization that has resulted from the creation of this central gathering place several years ago. They welcome the many visitors from surrounding communities and work hard to promote the ongoing happenings in the Square.
In the center of the Square, scores of soccer players are relaxing with their families. In town from all over the State, they are between games playing in the Annual Livonia tournament being held at the indoor soccer fields at the sportsplex at 7 mile and Middlebelt. They have come for refreshments and the athletes are relaxing on the edge of the fountain that forms the Square’s focal point. They turn towards the upward stream of water welcoming the very light mist of water on their flush smiling faces.
Because all of Livonia has free citywide high speed wi-fi some Livonians will stay home and watch the fun being streamed to their own iPad 7 ( the model with 3D holographic display ) or on an iPad that is available from the library on loan to everybody with a library card.
As usual, many seasoned citizens are in the audience for they comprise the majority of the fan base for the still popular band. One long time female fan is heard to comment “We no longer call ourselves groupies, were droopies.” All around share a good laugh and spirits run high.
These folks are representative of the Livonia senior community at large, which is thrilled with their new home at the very expansive, refurbished Dickinson Senior center on Newberg road. Now they start their day walking the mall across the street before heading over to the center for lunch. Some of the food items they will be eating are harvested from the on site green house that is managed for a profit, by the garden clubs and local foodies that lease plots year round. The seniors, even larger in numbers now living in the city, overwhelmingly approved of the land swap that helped make Town Center Square spring to life.
And new life is exactly what Town Center Square has brought to a once stagnant Livonia that was caught resting on its laurels, suffering from “analysis paralysis”- lots of talk, no action- that afflicts so many municipalities.
Because of the changes brought about by the focus on community that town center planners were careful to cultivate, new young families have moved to the city in record numbers. So many in fact the new Bill Gates, Science and Technology school built at the former Bryant School site on Six Mile Road has a long waiting list to attend. It is just one of the new LEED ( leader in energy efficient design) certified buildings that are sited throughout the city. It actually sells power back to the grid, along with tens of thousands of homes covered with thin solar panels manufactured right here in Livonia at the old GM plant on Schoolcraft Road. The installation and servicing of the panels on residential rooftops was all financed by Google, with a lease structure similar to how we used to pay for our old land lines. There was no up front cost to the homeowners, and Livonia companies install and service the panels along with Livonia Public Schools Career Center students, as part of an internship program.
The crowd is really getting into the band now and it’s hard to believe that King can still hit those notes. He needs to be careful-- his band is performing next week at the PRDA “Cars are the Stars” cruise on Plymouth road taking place all next week. It is the only sanctioned car cruise in the State, and Wednesday night is cars from the 70’s only. You can already smell the burning rubber.
Steve King
SteveKingMichigan.com
Imagine this Livonia 10 years from now…
Friends and neighbors are gathering in Livonia Town Center Square, nestled on the southeast corner of 5 mile and Farmington for a concert event on the solar powered GE outdoor stage celebrating the 50th year of live performing for Steve King and The Dittilies.
Many of the concertgoers will be coming from the new restaurants and merchant shops that ring the town center. Others will have hitched a ride on the electric and hydrogen fuel busses that are such a common sight around the designated “greenest city” in Wayne County. Still others have walked from the reduced foot print, elevator parking structure that now stands where the dilapidated school administration building once stood. Some have chosen simply to ride their bicycles, utilizing the city-wide bike trail system that began with the first trail along Hubbard road between 5 & 6 mile the very first year King was elected to city council. You may remember it was the same year the city launched its “I Lost Ten” health initiative, challenging Livonia residents to shed a combined 1 million pounds in one year’s time – an effort that brought first lady Michelle Obama to our city and put Livonia in the national spotlight.
The many artisans that are in attendance for the concert have walked from the lofts where they live above their shops on the East side of Town Center Square. It is this corridor of the square that was built expressly for the many talented artists in the region, and has been growing steadily as more craftsmen migrate to the city because of its thriving art culture. Their presence has been an economic boon for the city, in fact, the recent annual Town Center art show just experienced record attendance, bringing more than 50 thousand attendees to the Square over the weekend. Merchants and artists alike are happy and proud to be a part of Livonia’s revitalization that has resulted from the creation of this central gathering place several years ago. They welcome the many visitors from surrounding communities and work hard to promote the ongoing happenings in the Square.
In the center of the Square, scores of soccer players are relaxing with their families. In town from all over the State, they are between games playing in the Annual Livonia tournament being held at the indoor soccer fields at the sportsplex at 7 mile and Middlebelt. They have come for refreshments and the athletes are relaxing on the edge of the fountain that forms the Square’s focal point. They turn towards the upward stream of water welcoming the very light mist of water on their flush smiling faces.
Because all of Livonia has free citywide high speed wi-fi some Livonians will stay home and watch the fun being streamed to their own iPad 7 ( the model with 3D holographic display ) or on an iPad that is available from the library on loan to everybody with a library card.
As usual, many seasoned citizens are in the audience for they comprise the majority of the fan base for the still popular band. One long time female fan is heard to comment “We no longer call ourselves groupies, were droopies.” All around share a good laugh and spirits run high.
These folks are representative of the Livonia senior community at large, which is thrilled with their new home at the very expansive, refurbished Dickinson Senior center on Newberg road. Now they start their day walking the mall across the street before heading over to the center for lunch. Some of the food items they will be eating are harvested from the on site green house that is managed for a profit, by the garden clubs and local foodies that lease plots year round. The seniors, even larger in numbers now living in the city, overwhelmingly approved of the land swap that helped make Town Center Square spring to life.
And new life is exactly what Town Center Square has brought to a once stagnant Livonia that was caught resting on its laurels, suffering from “analysis paralysis”- lots of talk, no action- that afflicts so many municipalities.
Because of the changes brought about by the focus on community that town center planners were careful to cultivate, new young families have moved to the city in record numbers. So many in fact the new Bill Gates, Science and Technology school built at the former Bryant School site on Six Mile Road has a long waiting list to attend. It is just one of the new LEED ( leader in energy efficient design) certified buildings that are sited throughout the city. It actually sells power back to the grid, along with tens of thousands of homes covered with thin solar panels manufactured right here in Livonia at the old GM plant on Schoolcraft Road. The installation and servicing of the panels on residential rooftops was all financed by Google, with a lease structure similar to how we used to pay for our old land lines. There was no up front cost to the homeowners, and Livonia companies install and service the panels along with Livonia Public Schools Career Center students, as part of an internship program.
The crowd is really getting into the band now and it’s hard to believe that King can still hit those notes. He needs to be careful-- his band is performing next week at the PRDA “Cars are the Stars” cruise on Plymouth road taking place all next week. It is the only sanctioned car cruise in the State, and Wednesday night is cars from the 70’s only. You can already smell the burning rubber.
Steve King
SteveKingMichigan.com
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