NORTHVILLIANS,

Our Yearly Tuesday Election Day is upon us. Tomorrow, we have an election in the City (the Township does not). The City’s ballot includes Mayoral and Council candidates, where three incumbents are listed. In running for Mayor, it is truly my great honor and privilege to seek the office for my 4^th term. Historically, we have this time-honored privilege to exercise our right to vote, to elect those who can best serve our Nation, Region, and Community. Accordingly, this week’s letter will look back through Northville’s history on some interesting political and national activities of pride around the Ville.

In November, after talking about elections, I will write about Veterans Day in the Ville, our Annual Lighted Parade with Santa and Thanksgivings in town through time.

Before looking at our Election history, let’s see what's happening today:

• Parmenter’s Cider Mill (Established in 1873) … Enjoy the last few weeks till November 23 at this award-winning placemaking area with your family or friends Link
• Tipping Point Theatre – “A Very Northville Christmas” opens 11/19 & runs through 12/21 Link
• Immunization Clinic at Community Center – 11/20 from 10AM-2PM Link
• Rotary Goodfellows Newspaper Sale – 11/22 from 9AM-1PM.Rotary would like Northvillians to consider a $50 pledge for their 50^th year to support Civic Concern Link
• NHS Holiday Concert – 12/16 and 12/17, 7PM
• Roundabout driving instruction video from SEMCOG. Link
• Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Chamber/DDA Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
TASK FORCE MEETINGS

• Bicentennial Task Force Mtg - 12/3, 7:00 PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
• Cemetery Restoration Task Force - 12/8, 7:00 PM City Hall Link (David Marold –Chair)

PROJECTS AROUND TOWN

• FORD FIELD – The Vista overlook & ADA entry are going to be completed soon. The Fort Griswold playscape has been removed and a new one is being constructed, new bathroom building is scheduled for ’26. Additionally, with grant funding, a connected Ford Field East Park & South Main Park by the Water Wheel will be engineered in Spring.
• RIVERWALK - The “Downs” River Park will be dedicated in Spring, the 50 x 10-foot walking bridges over the stream were positioned Wednesday… take a peek by the Log Cabin close to Custard time. Walkways are in place. The historic Log Cabin is resting on new foundations readying to be the park’s Welcome Center. Overall, five sections of the Riverwalk are being planned.
• DOWNS INITIATIVE – The Roundabout (Sheldon & 7 Mile) will be completed by Thanksgiving … SEMCOG instruction videoLink
• FARMERS’ MARKET – This past week was the last Thursday Market of the season. Events at the Township’s & City’s Market Commons Area (550 W. 7 Mile) will continue.
• GRANTS that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Ford Field East added. Link

Let's look at some Historic Electionactivities in the Ville...

1894–541 Northville ballots were cast in total: 298 straight Republican, 112 for the Democratic Party, 31 for the Prohibition Party, 1 for the Populist and 99 split votes.
1904–Governor Warner once owned a cheese factory here and frequently traveled to Northville (the#2economic power in the State at the time) via train, trolley & stagecoach.
1920–The election marked the first time women could vote in Michigan. The women’s suffrage movement started in 1848 and by 1869, the movement pushed for federal support. Several Northville women attended a suffragist rally in Detroit in 1874.
1927–Northville celebrated its 100^th “Centennial” year as a community by hosting the largest parade seen in Michigan up to that time, which was supported & attended by Henry Ford.
1932–Gov. Brucker was the honored guest on “Governor’s Day” at the Wayne County Fair (larger than the State Fair), which took place at Northville Downs.
1940’s–Speaking of democracy, it’s generally agreed that no American community contributed more to the Allied powers during WWII than the Detroit area, and Northville was a great part of that activity. Notably, this region grew to be known as the “Arsenal of Democracy,”a term coined by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech where he highlighted the need for cooperation between government and all citizens.
1950–Governor Soapy Williams frequently visited Northville. In 1950, the UAW hosted him at our local Ford Field where he spoke with plant workers before he presented the Governor’s Cup at Northville Downs. Additionally, in 1952, he was the keynote speaker for the dedication of the Northville State Hospital (Legacy Park today).
1959–For the first time ever, Northville used voting machines. The City had nearly 1,890 registered voters while the Township had close to 1,600.
1973–A proposal to merge the City & Township was on the ballot. It passed in the City by a margin of 4 to 1 (942 to 259). However, the Township voted it down 1,504 to 1,358. That spelled defeat for the merger because the proposal had to carry BOTH the City & Township.
1975–The Township requested the merger of the City & Township be on the ballot again. The motion was defeated even more soundly than two years before by the Township voters.
1982–Published in The Northville Record: Governor Milliken stated that he was “especially pleased” to attend the dedication of the “first city in the state” to begin a project under the State Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Law. He continued, “it’s a thrill to see a law translated into bricked sidewalks, parks and Victorian-period pieces such as graceful streetlamps, benches, and a charming four-sided town clock.”
1992–President George Bush & First Lady Barbara Bush slowed down their campaign train as they came through Northville’s Cabbagetown, waving to those by the tracks. They toured past the Ford Plant (Water Wheel Centre), the Chamber of Commerce building and Bealtown.
1998–Governor Jennifer Granholm (16^thUS Secretary of Energy) was a Northville Community resident and was the Attorney General for the State of Michigan before becoming the Governor.
1998–Gov. Engler stopped at Northville’s historic Parmenter’s Cider Mill during his campaign.
2019–Governor Whitmer has visited town a dozen times since taking office, and she has supported many initiatives important to the growth and well-being of our community.
2024–President Biden came to town to speak to media and citizens. Locals were lined up 20-deep to see him and his 36-vehicle motorcade come down Main Street where he stopped at the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar where I introduced him as a “New Northvillian.”

You can see elections are a part of our DNA in the Northville Community and tomorrow the polls are open 7am - 8pm (Link). Growing up, my parents instilled in me that during the journey of life, it is up to all of us to LEARN, DO and then GIVE BACK to the community. I speak from the heart when I say democracy and cooperation are an ingrained part of the fabric woven into our hometown. One of my grandfathers (Electrician) led the Republican activities in town and the other (Barber) handled the Democratic events, but both were all about the ENTIRE community.

I encourage everyone to make a difference each and every day within our Community!

Keep that Northville Election Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville