doubled their prediction with 23,000 jobs. • For the first nine months of 2012, 38 companies have invested about $80 million in Oakland County, creating and retaining more than 7,600 jobs. • The emerging sector of health care is exploding. Anderson Economic Group says 100,000 individuals in Oakland County work in that and related fields. That's more than the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic regions combined. • To support this burgeoning job growth, Patterson initiated Medical Main Street in 2008 to market the region as a destination for world-class health care, life science research and medical device manufacturing. Today, there are 4,900 clinical trials going on in our region — more than California, New York and New Jersey. • In September 2012 alone, under Patterson's Emerging Sectors pro- gram, three information technology and two advanced electronic compa- nies invested about $2.5 million in Oakland County, creating 112 jobs and retaining 55. Howley's Rebuttal Howley said empirical data show that the current Emerging Sectors pro- gram is not working, and that 90 percent of the 23,000 jobs restored in 2011 are related to the auto industry, and not a long-term indicator of the economic health and diversity of the county. "We need to focus on 21st-century industries that are going to move Oakland County forward," he said. "I would like to restore Oakland County to its historical position as the com- munity of choice for young families and emerging industries. Our invest- ments in economic development need to be strategic and cost effective, with a focus on workforce development, business access to capital, neighbor- hood stabilization and public trans- portation. We need to strengthen and defend our public schools, which have traditionally been our greatest com- petitive advantage. "Relative to entrepreneurship, it's going to take focus and commitment," Howley said. "Look at what [Quicken Loans chairman and founder] Dan Gilbert did in Detroit. He identified a vision and then laid out the plan to make it happen — and it's happen- ing. We need to do the same thing in Oakland County." Howley said he would establish a leadership core "because the county has changed so dramatically over the last 50 years. It's time to gather voices from throughout the county to develop a strategic plan with clearly stated goals and objectives to achieve that vision. For too long, too many communities have been excluded from county government — and that must change." Patterson said he will do "very well" Nov. 6, and will definitely seek one more term, but "Father Time is creeping up on me, and I'm definitely cognizant of that." Howley would prefer an earlier retirement for Patterson. El] Achieve athlet i cs Detroit Country Day School provides its students with a well-rounded liberal arts education that is nationally recognized for a tradition of excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. LOWER SCHOOL; Pre-K3 — 2nd grade 3003 West Maple Rd 248.430.2740 JUNIOR SCHOOL 3rd — 5th grade 3600 Bradway Blvd 248.430.1074 MIDDLE SCHOOL: 6th — 8th grade 22400 Hillview Ln 248.430.3655 UPPER SCHOOL: 9th 12th grade 22305 West 13 Mile Rd 248.430.3587 DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL www.d c ds.e du Visit our Open House on Sunday, October 28 • :1 3 p.m. - 1764410 Meisner has expanded the mis- sion of the office to include an innovative program to prevent tax and mortgage foreclosure, as well as suing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on behalf of Oakland County taxpayers. Meisner also instituted a new system of monthly payment plans for families and businesses that have fallen behind on their prop- erty taxes, which has generated more than $11 million in 2012. The first countywide official to refuse a taxpayer-funded car, gasoline and cell phone, Meisner has made more than $1.5 million in cuts, while generating $76 mil- lion in savings and revenues for Oakland County taxpayers, all the while helping Oakland County maintain its AAA bond rating. Running against: Marty Knollenberg (R) Oakland County Board of Commissioners According to the 2012 Oakland County Directory, "The Board of Commissioners performs a role similar to a state legislature or city council. It acts on proposals submitted by the County Executive and makes proposals of its own. It possesses the legislative and administrative powers granted by state law. The County Executive may veto acts of the Board and the vetoes can be overridden by a two- thirds vote of the Board." 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