MLK Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

With New Year’s Resolutions on our minds and all of us trying to achieve them, let’s take a look at their historic origins and traditions, and then we’ll move on to Dr. Martin Luther King Day.

RESOLUTIONS 2025

The ancient Babylonians were the first people to make New Year’s resolutions some 4000 years ago. Julius Caesar tinkered with the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year (Circa 46 B.C.). January was named for the god Janus who looked both backwards and forward. For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the occasion for thinking about one’s past and resolving to do better in the future. In 1740, the English clergyman John Wesley (founder of Methodism and the “Martin Luther King” of his time) had a renewal service held on New Year’s Eve to make resolutions for the coming year.

Despite its religious roots, New Year’s resolutions are mostly secular ones now. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions to focus on self-improvement. According to recent studies, as many as 45% of Americans say they usually make New Year’s resolutions, with many of these pertaining to: Health initiatives, organizing, learning new skills, living life to its fullest, saving money and having balance in one’s life.  

The New Year sometimes brings sadness as well, and it is with a heavy heart I would like to lift up the family of Scott Frush who passed last weekend.  He was a friend and civic leader in this community and Mark Abbo (Township Supervisor) and myself worked with him on many boards. Scott was 53 and married to Christina with children Gabriella and Ryan. Like Dr. King, he was a dedicated civil servant who advocated for positive change. He was a Township Trustee since 2019 and served in many other capacities. The Community truly mourns his passing. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Last week I wrote about our local Dreams, as well as the trajectory of progress on our “Way Forward Path.” This week I will talk about Dr. King’s Dreams, along with touching on activities surrounding MLK day and its history.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and MLK Day History:

One of my favorite MLK quotes is from his famous “I HAVE A DREAM” speech:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [and women] are created equally.”

• MLK Day is a national holiday honoring the outstanding achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister who advocated the use of nonviolent means to end racial segregation and relentlessly championed unity & equality in this country.
• Ronald Reagan was President when legislation was passed for this national holiday in 1983 which honors Dr. King’s birthday.
• Detroiter John Conyers (longest-serving African American legislator in congressional history) first introduced the legislation for MLK Day in 1968, four days after the assassination of Dr. King.
• Today, it is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, as many of you Northvillians do.
• Historically we have had local gatherings sponsored by various spiritual organizations and also the city honoring the work done by Dr. King.
• In 2024 we had a full-capacity gathering at the Community Center where hundreds attended listening to the famous, “I have a dream” speech. After the video, various speakers were featured before we had fellowship and refreshments.
• This year (last weekend) it was my privilege to be part of a Northville group that gathered to attend “Honoring the Journey,” an event (31^st Annual) which honored Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Grosse Pointe, where he spoke at their local high school just weeks before he was taken from us.

Dr. King had a Dream, and we are better for it in this country today. I thank each of you for assisting the Northville Community in achieving its own Dreams. Keep that spirit of Equality for All alive in our community and your own personal lives.  Finally, I again ask you to keep the Frush family in your hearts and prayers.

Keep that Community Equality Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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