NORTHVILLIANS,

COVID-19 / INFO
During these Pandemic times, we have all seen and heard in the media how our Mental, Physical and Community well-being has been greatly touched, affecting all our citizens. Let me offer some positive clarity – 

• Recently, an article in a local paper erroneously stated the rate of increase in Covid-19 infections for the Northville area. As one got behind the numbers, it became clear this was overstated.  At the time of the article, the City of Northville had only 2 infections in the previous 69 days, and the Township data was skewed higher by the 9 Senior centers. Overall, the Northville, Michigan area has a lower Covid-19 infection rate than almost any other area in Wayne county.
• COVID-19:  Northville has had 53 cases/7 fatalities (again, one of the lowest in the county), Township 277/25, Michigan 111K/6.8K, Nation 6.0M/182K. Global 25M/845K
• MASK UP, maintain social distance, wash & sanitize your hands and reach out to those in need.

• Moving on to what is to become this fall’s hot topic – ELECTIONS. Get out & make your voice heard:  For absentee voting, use the City drive-through DropBox (available 24/7) located in front of City Hall. And don’t forget, you can even place your Bill payments in there.
• Parks & Recreation: Fish Hatchery Park – a $900K Grant for the City & Township is underway ... naturalizing the riverbank area. Also, Pickleballers are now using an outdoor court there.
• Road Construction projects – The Northville DPW have done an outstanding job all summer. DPW is finishing up seasonal infrastructure upgrades and new paving on our city roads.
• The “Local Historic Survey Study” (including boundaries) is being reviewed by City Council next Tuesday, along with structures that contributed to Northville being on the National Historical Registry. This will be a public hearing, so mark your calendars: 
  • Tues, Sept 8 at 7:00 p.m.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87468408063, Webinar ID: 874 6840 8063
• I know you hear me say this this every week, but I mean it very sincerely:  During COVID & beyond, I am deeply committed to keep you connected & safe, while having open communication at all times. I appreciate all those who have contacted me with concerns and questions as we battle through this pandemic period.

Historic Labor Day Happenings in the Ville:

1895 – Train Excursions from Northville to Plymouth to Detroit, with many going to Belle Isle for the day cost.  Just 50 cents round trip!

1910 – Horse races, ball games and music by our City Band occurred all day long. “One of the biggest crowds ever seen in Northville was at the Athletic Park [Northville Downs] on Labor Day. “They came from all sections of the country” wrote the Northville Record.  Northville’s Circle N team came out victorious in the ball games vs. Wyandotte & Holly. At the end of the night, all danced in the Princess Rink, located in the parking lot across from CVS & behind the Marquis Theatre.

1949 – The VFW sponsored the Labor Day games & events for youth and families, including a donkey-riding softball game at Ford Field.

1955 – The Eagles sponsored the festivities: Mayor Claude Ely led a parade of eleven drill teams, and then he and other State officials gave speeches at Ford Field. Topping that off, the community shared a picnic in Cass Benton Park.

1957 – Motorcycle racing took place for the 1^st time at Northville Downs (30 racers) and believe it or not, on July 4^th there was auto racing on the Northville Downs track (the Northville “100”).

1978 – The pressing of apples began over the Labor Day holiday at Northville’s Parmenter’s Cider Mill,  celebrating a Grand Opening after the old historic buildings were destroyed by fire the winter before.

1985 – Labor Day baseball tournaments remained a key tradition over the years ... I even played in a few.  In ‘85 the Methodists sponsored a “Holiday” softball tournament, with teams from the Methodist Churches of Northville, Farmington, Newburg and Clarenceville, the Nazarene Churches of Plymouth & Detroit, the Ward and Plymouth Presbyterian Churches, Livonia St. Matthews and Farmington Hills Grace Chapel.  Attendees also included the Kronk national boxers Doug Ahonen and Mickey Goodwin, radio celebrities Ted Strasser and Dale Conquest. Quite a turnout!

1995 – Over Labor Day weekend, a big-top European-style circus dazzled and delighted the community. The Circus was set up in the parking lot of the Highland Lakes Shopping Center, and the public came out to see the 1,500-person Big Top tent erected using elephant power.

In my opinion, we must know our history to understand where we are today, to help best plan and project our future. So, get out and enjoy this Labor Day weekend in a relaxing way, enjoy our Town to the fullest!  
 

Keep that Northville Faith! Stay #NorthvilleStrong!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849