The lack of cooperation on some form of regional transit--particularly something more substantial than bus routes--is disappointing. Fixed forms of transit in other cities have proven to be magnets for economic activity.
What seems to be forgotten is that Patterson's animus toward Detroit was often a response to the combative nature of the guy on the other side of 8 mile, who was incessantly critical of the "hostile suburbs." Yes, some of Patterson's policies promote county isolationism; but, his basic premise has been that it's not Oakland County's responsibility to subsidize the rest of the region.