20 August 15 • 2019
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JN STAFF
O
akland County’
s longstand-
ing executive, L. Brooks
Patterson, died. Aug. 3
from pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
After spending 16 years as Oakland
County prosecutor, Patterson
served as Oakland County exec-
utive from 1992 until his death.
Sometimes controversial, especially
when it came to the inflammatory
language he used when speaking
about Detroit, Patterson helped to
boost Oakland County’
s economy
for a generation. He made the coun-
ty a technology hotspot with the
creation of Automation Alley, and
he could boast 20 straight years of
AAA bond ratings.
Several members of the Jewish
community who worked closely
with him had these remembrances.
“Brooks Patterson
was a dedicated and
passionate leader for
Oakland County. His
long public service
career had a great
impact on Oakland
County and our
region. My deepest
sympathy goes to his family, friends
and dedicated staff during this dif-
ficult time.”
— County Commissioner Helaine
Zack, LMSW
“I think the public
is not really aware
of just how well the
elected countywide
officials all work
together. And yes,
over the years, there
were moments — ‘
nif-nahs’
, if you
will — when he would make a
comment on a high-profile case.
He would say in his gravelly voice,
‘
I used to be the prosecutor in this
county for 16 years.’
And I would
say, ‘
When you were the prosecutor,
there were 10 laws and they were
written on a stone tablet.’
He would
pause and then he would laugh, and
the moment was over.” — Oakland
County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper
“My condolences go
out to Mr. Patterson’
s
family. I had the
opportunity to serve
Oakland County with
Brooks for 10 years,
during which time I
had a first-row seat
for the Brooks Show.
A capable administrator, at times a
visionary, he was always interesting
and often controversial. I’
m grateful
to him for his loyalty and service to
Oakland County, while still being
mindful that his legacy is mixed,
especially regarding matters of race
and gender equity.
“In 2008, when I first won the
election for Prosecutor, it was the
first time a Democrat had been
elected for that office in more
than 40 years. Brooks and I were
obviously at opposite ends of the
political spectrum. I was expecting
a contentious reception, but Brooks
was very congenial and gracious.
Brooks was a very colorful charac-
ter and there were many issues with
which I disagreed, but most of the
time we each piloted our own ships
and worked together for the benefit
of the county.” — Oakland County
Treasurer Andy Meisner
“I’
m grateful that I
had the chance to get
to know Brooks as
more than just the man
who often said things
that I found offensive.
He was strong-willed
and a fierce fighter for
Oakland County’
s eco-
nomic health and growth. He called
me after Marty Knollenberg assault-
ed me at the State of the County
and said he was sorry that that hap-
pened to me. I really appreciated
that phone call.” — Oakland County
Clerk Lisa Brown
“Brooks was one of
those one-name icons.
He was funny, serious,
innovative, hard-work-
ing and a tremendous
leader. Relationships
were important to him.
Most importantly, he
got along with the other
side. Oakland County budgets were
done on time and done three years
in advance. He would always tell
me the roads were not his respon-
sibility. Brooks’
Jewish friends were
numerous and he truly respected
our community. In private conver-
sations, he marveled at how the
Jewish community got things done
not only for themselves but others
and counted on our community for
various kinds of help. RIP Brooks!”
— Jeff Sakwa, former vice-chair of
the Michigan Republican Party ■
Jessica Cooper
Andy Meisner
Lisa Brown
Helaine Zack
PHOTOS VIA OAKLAD.GOV
Jeff Sakwa
FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK
L. Brooks Patterson
A Life
Remembered
L. Brooks Patterson’
s Jewish colleagues
share their memories of the Oakland
County executive.
See related story on page 50.
Detention Camps Protest
The Close the Camps Coalition is
sponsoring a protest against deten-
tion camps on the U.S.’
southern
border 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, at
the Holocaust Memorial Center in
Farmington Hills.
“We will gather to protest against
the detention camps on our southern
border and the private, for-profit
prisons housing tens of thousands
of refugees and immigrants, includ-
ing hundreds of children, alone,
separated from families,” said Rene
Lichtman of Close the Camps.
Lichtman added that they plan
to stand in front of the Holocaust
Memorial Center for a reason:
“We are aware of the historical
tragedies that have befallen the
Jewish people, from anti-Semitic
pogroms to outright genocide. We
also know that racism and genocide
have been visited upon other peo-
ples, from Native Americans and
African Americans to Armenians,
and continue to be visited today in
such places as Syria and the Middle
East.
“Jewish tradition, and others,
teach that each and every person
deserves to be treated justly and with
compassion. Yet, on our southern
border, refugees and immigrants are
being physically and emotionally
abused,” he added.
For more information, call the
Close the Camps Coalition at (248)
986-3466.
Great Lakes National
Cemetery Open House
Great Lakes National Cemetery in
Holly is having an open house and
seminar at the cemetery on Saturday,
Aug. 17, from
noon-4 p.m.
The cemetery will be open to the
public. Attendees can tour the cem-
etery grounds and observe how the
cemetery is operated. Topics and
demonstrations include veterans’
burial benefits, how to schedule
a burial, rifle volleys and military
honors ceremonies, and informa-
tion about headstones and markers.
Cemetery staff will be present to
answer questions.