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The City of Novi -
A Success Story
That’s No Accident
by
Bernie Fratto
August 2005
Today, August 1, 2005 marks the 12th
anniversary, to the day that I arrived in Novi,
Michigan… by accident.
However, some would say there are no accidents, no
coincidences. So perhaps it is no coincidence that
Novi has become home, a place I am proud to call
home.
At the time, however, I was so sure I wouldn’t be
here very long, that I didn’t even sell my house in
California. While it may not have been fun to make 2
house payments for several years, it was clear that
life in Novi was good, really good.
First there are the people. We are blessed with
Civic Leadership that is unparalleled. I’ve been
fortunate to interact with City Manager Rick Helwig,
Mayor Lou Csordas, Police Chief Douglas Shaeffer,
former Chief Lee Begole and of course Deputy Police
Chief David Molloy.
Councilperson Lynne Paul, Bob Gatt, Nancy Cassis,
and Craig DeRoche are all people I hold in high
esteem. Naturally our lives are enriched when you
can call folks like these your friends. And when
they have impact on the quality of life for our
City, it’s even better.
The Novi School system is terrific as well.
Top-flight facilities, instruction, education, and
the sports programs are among the top in the state.
Football games on Friday nights are a thing to
behold, as the entire community becomes one,
cheering on a program that is a perennial playoff
contender every year.
Visionaries like John Osborne, a 35 year Wildcat
fixture helped to create this atmosphere. And
speaking of visions, and beautiful country, why
would Catholic Central HS select Novi, as it’s new
home, when plenty of other community’s would be
suitable?
Novi now boasts over 100 eating establishments, and
is brimming with entertainment, recreation, and
family oriented activities. The new Fountain Walk
draws transient population from everywhere. Why
would Billy Bob Thornton stop at Hooter’s in Novi to
promote “The Bad News Bears” when plenty of other
communities would’ve been suitable?
Novi offers terrific housing in safe neighborhoods
patrolled by one of the most efficient police
departments in the nation.
Meanwhile access to information and entertainment is
provided quite impressively by the Novi News. This
weekly paper offers a plethora of community news,
editorial and brings us up close and personal into
the events that make our community special.
And don’t forget visionary Scott Olson, as he
created the
www.novi.org website. This site now gets nearly
100,000 hits per month, and it offers easy access
while delivering news, pertinent information, and
lots of cool stuff for even the most discriminating
reader. Uniquely Novi, this website is a virtual
one-stop shop for Novi residents, transplants, or
visitors.
Suffice it to say, that Novi, Michigan is a terrific
place to live. From Civic Leadership, to the school
system, to the neighborhoods, entertainment, dining,
shopping and amenities, Novi is not only pleasing to
the eye, but a gem of a community.
Novi is also an easy please to find…even if you do
it by accident.
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