To the editor:

When Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson was re-elected in 2016, he took an oath to uphold both the Michigan and U.S. constitutions. Section 1 of the Michigan Constitution says, "All political power is inherent in the people." Why is that the first line in the first section of our state Constitution? Because it is the most important — the same reason freedom of religion, speech and press is listed first in our Bill of Rights.

Crain's Detroit Business Editor and Publisher Ron Fournier claimed in an editorial that Patterson is a "follower" for "nodding" to his constituents regarding regional transit. Patterson absolutely and unapologetically nods to the will of Oakland County voters, because he will not ride roughshod over the Michigan Constitution. He is their elected leader and representative, not their overlord who imposes taxes against their will.

If any government impinged upon the First Amendment, Crain's Detroit would jealously defend that fundamental right. So, why is Ron Fournier insisting Patterson violate his oath to the Michigan Constitution and ignore the will of Oakland County voters? Does the will of the voters only count when it agrees with his point of view?

Fournier's rabble ignores both Patterson's record on transit as well as some fundamental facts.

First, the electoral map: The 2016 Regional Transit Authority ballot measure was narrowly defeated in Oakland County. If you break down the votes on a precinct map, however, it becomes clear that the yes votes were concentrated in a few communities in the southeast corner of the county that have already opted into SMART bus and would receive the most services in the RTA plan. The 39 SMART opt-out communities voted a strong "no" in 2016.

Second, Oakland County already pays the most for regional transit. Its opt-in communities have paid $352 million into SMART since its inception — that's $37 million more than Macomb County and $107 million more than Wayne County. Detroit pays nothing, yet still receives a handful of services from SMART.

Finally, Patterson's transit record: In 1995, he supported the creation of SMART. He worked with the Board of Commissioners to get the SMART millage on the ballot and has supported every millage renewal since. In 2001, Patterson backed the creation of the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority, which was vetoed by Gov. John Engler. Three years later, he joined the regional leaders to take another run at DARTA. The transit unions stopped it with a lawsuit. Gov. Jennifer Granholm reneged on a promise to fix it. Then, Patterson helped form the RTA. In 2016, he ultimately enabled an RTA ballot question. Of course, voters said "No." And as of today, he's offered a new RTA plan that would raise $1.2 billion from only the opt-in communities.

At least now we know that Ron Fournier thinks constitutional rights only apply to those who agree with him: The hell with Oakland County voters.

Bill Mullan

Oakland County spokesperson