PONTIAC (WWJ) - After more than 25 years, Oakland County needs a new executive.
Longtime Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson died at his home Saturday, almost five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
For now, Chief Deputy County Executive Gerald Poisson will be acting executive. By law, he can hold the position for up to 30 days. He says Patterson's legacy will continue.
"We're going to continue with his vision for the county and the people should know where we're going, because every year we did three-year budgets and five-year plans. So as long as his team is at the controls, things will be great," said Poisson. "And I'm sure that whoever follows us will be dedicated to improving Oakland County, and that's all you can ask for."
Poisson will take the oath of office to serve as county executive until either the Oakland County Board of Commissioners appoints a successor or a special election is held.
According to the law (see Public Act 139 of 1973, Section 45.559a), the board has within 30 days to appoint a successor, who would serve until the next general election in November 2020. If the board chooses not to appoint anyone, a special election would be scheduled at the earliest possible date.
"The sad part about it is this will be a significant change for Oakland County because many people in the county vote conservative on fiscal issues and sometimes liberal on social issues, and we happen to have a Democratic county commission," said Oakland County Republican Party Chairman Rocky Raczkowski. "So now you're going to see a strong shift to Wayne County-type politics in Oakland County, which is something that Brooks fought hard because he wanted to maintain the strong fiscal policy of Oakland County. We'll see what happens."
Patterson was over halfway through an unprecedented seventh term of distinguished service as Oakland County executive. Since taking office on Jan. 1, 1993, he transformed Oakland County with his 21st Century vision and no-nonsense leadership. His mission was to make Oakland County one of the best places to live, work, play and raise a family.
"He did a lot for Oakland County families; revitalizing our economy and making sure that Oakland County, even during the recession, was poised fiscally and financially to be a beacon and a county of hope and a place where a lot of families wanted to live," said Raczkowski.
Officials say the county reached full employment - under 5% unemployment – because of Brooks' successful job growth and retention strategies in the knowledge-based economy. His initiatives have attracted more than $5.2 billion in private investment creating or retaining over 91,000 jobs. Oakland County's economy also has a global reach with more than 1,100 firms from 39 foreign countries operating inside its borders.
Under Brooks' 26-plus years of leadership, Oakland County continues to retain its coveted AAA bond rating. Investment ratings firms recognize Brooks' administration as the best among counties in the United States because of its multi-year budget - which is balanced through 2024 - and innovation in transitioning employees from a defined benefit to a defined contribution retirement saving taxpayers well over $650 million.
Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Woodward said Patterson would want the Oakland County government to move forward.
"I think he said it best when he publicly announced his diagnosis earlier this spring. There are very capable people who are bound and determined to continue to maintain the tradition of Oakland County, leading in fiscal practice and public policy to improve the lives of people in this area," said Woodward. "The work goes on."
