20 August 15 • 2019
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JN STAFF
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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

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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.

