Patterson: Reports of my political demise are premature

Bill Mullan | Detroit Free Press

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Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson once quipped to late Detroit Free Press Publisher Neal Shine that he didn’t read the Freep because he’d rather be uninformed than misinformed. Brian Dickerson’s column (“How Democrats could pick Brooks Patterson’s Oakland County successor,” Detroit Free Press, Nov. 15) is an example of why.

First, let me address a lie that continues to show up in the Freep. Its staff paint a false picture that Patterson is in frail health. He is not. He puts in six-day work weeks as he always has. He attends meetings and public and private events throughout the week. When he is not attending meetings or events, he works with his administration on strengthening Oakland County initiatives or addressing the latest issues.

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The Freep is ageist and unapologetic about poking fun at individuals who live with disabilities, ones who aren’t Democrats anyway. The paper points out Patterson is 79 in all its articles. It’s not unusual to include a person’s age as an identifying element. In Patterson’s case, however, it’s almost always accompanied by commentary about its perception of his health or that he’s in a wheelchair. Speaking of the wheelchair, the Free Press editorial page shamelessly uses it to caricature Patterson.

Neither Patterson’s age nor his auto accident have slowed him down as a leader. He continues to come up with new ideas which his staff explore and develop.

Next, let’s talk about succession. Public Act 139 of 1973 dictates what must occur if the county executive office were vacated. Initially, the chief deputy county executive would become interim county executive. Then, the board of commissioners would have 30 days to appoint someone as county executive until the next election or it could opt to set a special election.

The lie in Dickerson’s column is that Patterson intended to resign early to have the board name a Republican successor. This lie has been floated by Democrats for several election cycles now. Those who have the privilege of working with Patterson laughed every time it was brought up because it is absurd and counterintuitive to what everyone knows: Patterson will never resign his office nor has he expressed intentions to do so.

One final note about the slim 11-seat Democratic majority on the board of commissioners. The Democrats need 14 seats to be veto-proof. Patterson has a line-item veto. As long as he is in office, he will continue to ensure the fiscal practices and policies of the county align with his vision for protecting taxpayers.

Bill Mullan is the Oakland County Media & Communications Officer.