A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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In our Community and across the Nation, vaccinations are on everyone's minds this week. So let me share the latest information on this. Over 50 million vaccination vials have been sent to the various states now. After the actions taken in D.C. and at the state level on production, logistics & procedures, I am confident there will soon be substantial increases in available vaccine vials for citizens in our area.
The two major vaccination areas in Western Wayne County are both in the Northville area – at Schoolcraft College and at Meijer on 8 Mile & Haggerty:
* The Schoolcraft facility will convert from first responders and medical personnel to teachers and then the public. Also, Wayne County is making plans for mobile vaccination units.
* The Meijer store is accepting vaccination scheduling depending on your age and circumstances. You can call, go online or stop at their pharmacy to schedule an appointment. They have 20 stations set up and are receiving more doses daily.
* You can also check with your health care provider (U of M, St. Joseph Mercy, Beaumont, Ascension Providence, etc.). Many health care networks have vaccinated 50K or more citizens. Medical networks are reaching out to those in their database this week (those who qualify) for vaccination appointments.

The Michigan goal still stands at 50K vaccinations daily and 1 million inoculations per day nationally.
In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight another gateway area which has welcomed visitors for over 100 years – the only remaining horse track in the State with live races... Northville Downs.

But first, let’s look at the LATEST NEWS:
* As many of you saw, Gov. Whitmer delivered her third “State of the State” address last week. Of note, she announced a ramp-up of COVID-19 actions along with a series of initiatives to grow our economy, entitled “Michigan’s Back to Work Plan.” Over the next year additional opportunities & projects in Michigan will be announced in tech, mobility, manufacturing, clean energy and road construction. (Michigan.gov)
* The Michigan National Guard is expanding its COVID-19 response for vaccinations and testing across the state. Almost 300 additional Guard members are being deployed to support this mission. (Michigan State Police)
* Pres. Biden announced a series of measures last week aimed at increasing coronavirus vaccine allocation and distribution, including the purchase of 200 million more vaccine doses and increased distribution to States by the millions of vials this week. With those additional vaccinations, Pres. Biden said there would be enough to fully vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of summer. (CNN)
* Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the new administration goal of 100 million doses of vaccine distributed in the first 100 days is a floor not a ceiling. (CBS News)
* Since the vaccine distribution began in the U.S. on Dec. 14^th, more than 32 million citizens have been inoculated (7.8% of U.S./8.07% in Michigan) according to the CDC. (USAtoday.com)
* Restaurants are open for 25% capacity for indoor dining as of Feb. 1st to augment their outdoor seating in downtown Northville. All the warming & vender pods are in place to add to the festive environment in the Social District. Be sure to enjoy all our downtown has to offer by staying safe, masked-up and socially-distanced. (downtownnorthville.com)

* COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES: Northville has had 192 cases/7 fatalities, Township 1419/45, Michigan 613K/16K, Nation 27M/448K, Global 104M/2.2M. (CDC)

Now let’s transition to another Historic Gateway into our Community … Northville Downs.
On any given evening, as you come into Northville cresting the hill on Sheldon & 7 Mile, you may see the lights and excitement of Northville Downs. Back before 1900, the location of what is today Northville Downs was merely swampland. Early on, the river that runs through it was routed underneath to dry out the land. It was on the edge of a small private golf course which backed up to the downtown.

After 1900, a local group bought the location and spent a great deal of time filling in the swampy ground and hauling away huge boulders with their horses and wagons. The group brought fill dirt in by the ton to form the base of the present track. Before this time, the locals held horse races on a five-block straightaway stretch of Dunlap St., from Rogers to Center, right in between the Historic Victorian homes that still line that street today. These early racers were the equivalent to the Driving Club who own about 70% of the track property today. In those early racing days on Dunlap and later at the Downs, this Driving Club group would gather with the horse owners and jockeys at the Ambler Hotel on Center & Main Street before & after the races.

In 1907 the track was finally finished at 7 Mile & Sheldon. In 1916 it was decided that a Wayne County Fair should be held in conjunction with the racing activities. This Fair ran for 27 years at Northville Downs and rivaled the State Fair in its quality. In 1926 this same group built a new grandstand at the Downs to accommodate the growing crowds.

After WWII, a group of business folks modernized and invested in the track. Mr. John Carlo was one of this group, and his family has co-owned and managed the track since its modern-day inception in 1944. John, Ed & Mike Carlo are 3^rd generation operators of the Downs today. With this group in place, Harness Racing was pioneered in Northville. “Night Races” under the lights became a reality, and I’m told my grandfather (the electrician in town) played a role in helping to make this happen. In the 1980's, the Downs were managed by John Carlo's nephew Lou and his longtime local assistant Margaret Zayti.

Turning to today, plans for thoughtful new development could come together soon, but we will always know this area as our Northville Downs gateway. We tip our derby to the Carlo family for all they have done for this community in making the Downs a landmark for close to 100 years in the Ville.

You may want to experience the Downs excitement one night while catching dinner and a drink. It’s fun to watch the parade of drivers navigating their two wheeled carts called sulkies as they rush by on the track. Think about its history when horses raced down our streets and then at the track, and the huge county fairs that were held here. All hosted by the Downs. I encourage you to visit this slice of Northville history while live horses still create the thrill of the race!

Keep that Northville Faith!

Stay #NorthvilleStrong!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

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The Committee to Elect Brian Turnbull for Mayor . 361 Eaton Dr . Northville, MI 48167-1307 . USA

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