Patterson roots for Detroit's future

**313WX** · September-19-09, 07:20 AM

His thick skull finally gets the message. To an extent this does give DetroitDad's point some light.

http://www.freep.com/article/2009091...rson-roots-for

Oakland exec says region depends on city

The fate of Detroit directly affects the fiscal health of other metro Detroit communities, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said Friday in explaining his desire to see the city stay out of receivership.

"The word receivership ricochets like a bullet around Wall Street

," he said during the Tri-County Summit in Dearborn, an annual gathering of elected officials from the counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb and the City of Detroit.

Patterson went to Wall Street about six weeks ago to have analysts rate a bond for improvements in Birmingham. The analysts seemed more interested in talking about the possibility of receivership for Detroit.

"I'm sandwiched between Flint and Detroit. If the schools or the city go into receivership, I'll lose my AAA bond rating," Patterson said. "So I'm Dave Bing's

biggest fan. I'm rooting for Dave and I'm rooting for the Detroit Public Schools."

An AAA bond rating is the highest a municipality can get and results in lower interest costs for the communities.

Bing said the city's financial state is dire and he'll spend the weekend reviewing recommendations from his Crisis Turnaround Team to deal with a projected $300-million deficit. Bing said 1,000 employees, 10% of the city's workforce, will be gone by the end of 2009.

"We're going to do what we have to do to keep our city stable," Bing said.

Patterson and Bing were joined by the other two members of the so-called Big Four -- Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Paul Gieleghem, chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.

Stosh · September-19-09, 07:56 AM

That's funny. But of course he would say that. individual city bond ratings have gone up while Detroit's has gone down. Sometimes in the same week.

Trainman · September-19-09, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

His thick skull finally gets the message. To an extent this does give DetroitDad's point some light.

http://www.freep.com/article/2009091...rson-roots-for

Executive L. Brooks Patterson fully supports the $2 Billion Detroit I-94 and I-75 Freeway expansions that are off the shelf and in concrete. This will add 25 miles of NEW freeway lanes and other road wideing projects throughout Oakland County which has already cost Detroit over $30 Million per year in lost operating subsidies for public bus service. These losses are from the state tax on fuel and federal transit grants of $14 Million per year.

So, DYer's. Is Executive L. Brooks Patterson really a friend of Dave Bing and Detroit?

Or, is he just another politician out to support the trucking industry and Wal-Mart?

Or, maybe Executive L. Brooks Patterson should support Operation Bring Back SMART to Livonia and Southeast Michigan? If any of you DY'er's are interested in getting him to restore state funds to SMART and DDOT then please reply and see the trainman website under DETROIT LINKS

ziggyselbin · September-19-09, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Trainman

Executive L. Brooks Patterson fully supports the $2 Billion Detroit I-94 and I-75 Freeway expansions that are off the shelf and in concrete. This will add 25 miles of NEW freeway lanes and other road wideing projects throughout Oakland County which has already cost Detroit over $30 Million per year in lost operating subsidies for public bus service. These losses are from the state tax on fuel and federal transit grants of $14 Million per year.

So, DYer's. Is Executive L. Brooks Patterson really a friend of Dave Bing and Detroit?

Or, is he just another politician out to support the trucking industry and Wal-Mart?

Or, maybe Executive L. Brooks Patterson should support Operation Bring Back SMART to Livonia and Southeast Michigan? If any of you DY'er's are interested in getting him to restore state funds to SMART and DDOT then please reply and see the trainman website under DETROIT LINKS

It is sad to have to wake up and read such ignorance posted by 3xxx or whoever. Patterson has done a very good job as OC exec. He has very good people working for him. OC is one of the bright spots of the area. Is there any possibility of some of you growing the hell up?

Retroit · September-19-09, 10:25 AM

It's a mistake for Detroiters to think that the suburbanites want Detroit to fail [[although I don't think the reverse could be said!

). We superbanites are well aware of the fact that the misery of Detroit is bringing the whole area down. The problem is that whenever we offer advice, it is usually turned down because Detroiters think they know better.

**313WX** · September-19-09, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by ziggyselbin

It is sad to have to wake up and read such ignorance posted by 3xxx or whoever. Patterson has done a very good job as OC exec. He has very good people working for him. OC is one of the bright spots of the area. Is there any possibility of some of you growing the hell up?

Please just go away.

ziggyselbin · September-19-09, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Please just go away.

No.grow up. L brooks knows more about detroit than you or I....a lot more.

crawford · September-19-09, 11:34 AM

Sorry, Ziggy, this is the wrong forum for reality.

People on DYes like to think Oakland County is somehow harmed by Detroit.

OC has one of the highest median incomes in the nation, and is among the most economically dynamic places anywhere on earth, so it seems to be doing pretty well to me.

While Brooks is kind of a jackass in person, the fact is that Oakland has thrived beyond anyone's wildest dreams during his tenure. Some of the wealthiest places on the planet are contained within its boundaries. Brooks deserves some credit.

And what's more amazing is that it has done all this while adjacent areas [[and not just Detroit) have stagnated or declined.

**REL** · September-19-09, 11:35 AM

Does anyone else find it sad or insulting that the only reason that Brooks cares about Detroit is because he "has to"?

crawford · September-19-09, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by AroundTown

Does anyone else find it sad or insulting that the only reason that Brooks cares about Detroit is because he "has to"?

No. Why is is "sad or insulting"?

Does Kwame or Bing care about Bloomfield Hills or Rochester or Novi?

The fact is that Detroit is dependent on Oakland County, while [[at this point in history) Oakland County does not need Detroit.

What does Oakland County need from Detroit? Absolutely nothing. Most of Detroit's "jewels" would be healthier if they were in OC.

Detroit is bascially 100% dependent on casino revenue and state redistributive largesse [[most of that coming from rich places like OC).

I don't even believe what Brooks said in his speech. I think he's doing diplomatic fence-mending.

**jtf1972** · September-19-09, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by AroundTown

Does anyone else find it sad or insulting that the only reason that Brooks cares about Detroit is because he "has to"?

Not insulting, but typical.

To many people, a healthy and thriving Detroit that attracts people and business does nothing for Oakland county. The competition of a well run, world-class city with a gorgeous riverfront is something that likely scares the hell out of someone in the position of Patterson. Patterson's job is to do whatever he can to make Oakland County thrive. Keeping Detroit just ahead of the wrecking ball is at Oakland County's advantage. It is interesting that he is actually conceding that the complete failure of Detroit would harm Oakland county though... It makes me wonder if the reorganization receivership would bring Detroit isn't something that scares Patterson a bit.

**313WX** · September-19-09, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by crawford

What does Oakland County need from Detroit?

Water, electricity, and judging from the article, it's status as a healthy big city.

**East Detroit** · September-19-09, 01:04 PM

Looks like some of you still don't realize what LBP just did.

**Gistok** · September-19-09, 01:06 PM

Apparently Crawford only reads what he wants to hear... and somehow missed the Wall Street bond part of the thread...

Maybe Wall Street is a little bit more economically savvy that Crawford!

**iheartthed** · September-19-09, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by crawford

No. Why is is "sad or insulting"?

Does Kwame or Bing care about Bloomfield Hills or Rochester or Novi?

The fact is that Detroit is dependent on Oakland County, while [[at this point in history) Oakland County does not need Detroit.

What does Oakland County need from Detroit? Absolutely nothing. Most of Detroit's "jewels" would be healthier if they were in OC.

Detroit is bascially 100% dependent on casino revenue and state redistributive largesse [[most of that coming from rich places like OC).

I don't even believe what Brooks said in his speech. I think he's doing diplomatic fence-mending.

Clearly Oakland County wants and needs Detroit to be solvent.

ziggyselbin · September-19-09, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Clearly Oakland County wants and needs Detroit to be solvent.

Absolutely true. We all want Detroit to be solvent and prosper. This is such a great area.

http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/...-for-michigan/

**313WX** · September-19-09, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Apparently Crawford only reads what he wants to hear... and somehow missed the Wall Street bond part of the thread...

Maybe Wall Street is a little bit more economically savvy that Crawford!

People never want to read or hear the stuff that says they're wrong.

**Gsgeorge** · September-19-09, 04:05 PM

So LBP is finally realizing the fate of his county is tied in some way to the success or failure of Detroit?

And how long, exactly, has Oakland County shared a border with Detroit? Apparently just since Friday.

Stosh · September-19-09, 04:37 PM

It's an endorsement of Dave Bing, and his policies, nothing more. Read into it all you wish.

**darwinism** · September-19-09, 05:25 PM

How in the world do people on here spin this piece of news in such an ugly way, when all the man said was that he wishes to work together with Mayor Bing, as well as other county leaders, to improve this entire region, including Detroit as the core anchor city ?

Look ..... Dave Bing and L. Brooks Patterson could just sit and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and still come out ahead - when compared to the IMMENSE DAMAGE that Kwame Kilpatrick has done to Detroit.

Perhaps I am alone in this, but I DO BELIEVE that suburban Oakland County, Macomb County and Wayne County wishes for Detroit to thrive. Seriously. This is not a Zero Sum game ..... just because Detroit prosper, doesn't mean that it will cause Ferndale or St Clair Shores or Taylor to suffer. This region needs to work together - and that is the bottom line.

Mayor Bing maintains a residence in Oakland County ..... and quite likely is a good friend of L. Brooks Patterson. Mayor Bing is also a businessman, with many corporate partners and friends in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties. The business community as a whole wants to see Dave Bing succeed.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · September-20-09, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Apparently Crawford only reads what he wants to hear... and somehow missed the Wall Street bond part of the thread...

Maybe Wall Street is a little bit more economically savvy that Crawford!

That Crawford is a card isn't he ?? lol The demographics know-it-all. He should be running all 3 counties.

**R8RBOB** · September-20-09, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

That Crawford is a card isn't he ?? lol The demographics know-it-all. He should be running all 3 counties.

Don't you mean he is a tool? Anyone who believes that Oakland County with all its riches is keeping Detroit afloat gots to be a tool.

**GRALR** · September-20-09, 01:37 PM

Lets face it the whole area was the cradle of invention, industry, and was what drove America to greatness. The area needs great leaders who are not only streetsmart, but who have a handle on the past, for the future. Leadership needs guts to make decisions, change the way it conducts itself, and reinvent the city government. Detroit needs to make the whole city an enterprise zone, free of most regulations, free of government intervention. It needs to empower each neighborhood by creating neighborhood zones where the residents control it's services.

Each neighborhood zone would use and keep lowered taxes in a general fund to provide services and monitor their own finances. Of course I am just putting a simplistic twist on a complicated problem.

If change is not swift I am afraid the whole area will be dragged down by the anchor of Detroit.

**Locke09** · September-20-09, 05:38 PM

[quote=crawford;70139]Detroit is bascially 100% dependent on casino revenue and state redistributive largesse [[most of that coming from rich places like OC).
[quote]

That is beyond exaggeration, since it is nowhere near accurate.

Casino revenue is only 4.8% of Detroit's total revenue.

State funding [[which includes revenue sharing, funding for the library, transportation funding, etc.) is 12.23% of Detroit's total revenue.

The rest [[82.97%) is from income tax, property tax, sales, fees, inspections, federal grants, etc.

Information on Detroit's revenue sources is easily accessible.

**R8RBOB** · September-20-09, 05:48 PM

[QUOTE=Locke09;70554][quote=crawford;70139]Detroit is bascially 100% dependent on casino revenue and state redistributive largesse [[most of that coming from rich places like OC).

That is beyond exaggeration, since it is nowhere near accurate.

Casino revenue is only 4.8% of Detroit's total revenue.

State funding [[which includes revenue sharing, funding for the library, transportation funding, etc.) is 12.23% of Detroit's total revenue.

The rest [[82.97%) is from income tax, property tax, sales, fees, inspections, federal grants, etc.

Information on Detroit's revenue sources is easily accessible.

C'mon Locke, you know that crawford would simply say that it is all a lie. Someone from the Kilpatrick administration fudged up the numbers. Detroit is 100% depended on Oakland County for its survival. In his Glenn Beck twisted view of the world, Detroit would have already sunk in the Detroit River if it wasn't for the good citizens of Oakland County. Thank you, Oakland County for keeping us afloat, now could you send us more because your nickels and dimes are just not enough.