R.I.P. L. Brooks Patterson, 1939-2019

Original at Oakland County Times.
Long-time Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has died.  WXYZ has a video tribute.


WXYZ had no description other than the video title, but the local papers have lots of pithy quotes in their obituaries.  First, The Detroit News.

“It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of our friend and county executive, L. Brooks Patterson,” Chief Deputy County Executive Gerald D. Poisson said. “He was a once-in-a-generation leader whose vision inspired all of us to be part of the best county government in America.”
...
"Our dad was a courageous fighter all his life and he fought right up until the end," [Mary] Warner said. "Our family is grieving over the unimaginable loss of our father, grandfather, hero, and friend. Many will remember him for his impact on Michigan and generosity toward Oakland County. We'll remember him for his love and generosity toward his family and friends."
...
“It’s been a great run,” said David Vanderveen, director of central services, including the county airport, who had been with Patterson since 1993. “He supported his people, which is great for a leader, and when he came in, he said: ‘We are going to work hard and play hard.’ And we have.”
...
“For a half-century, Brooks Patterson, despite never holding statewide office, has been the most prominent person in Michigan politics, with the possible exception of (former Detroit mayor) Coleman Young,” said [William] Ballenger, who puts out the digital website The Ballenger Report.

Just as he's the last person I quoted from The Detroit News article, Ballenger is the first person I quote from the article at the Detroit Free Press.

“Certainly, in Oakland County, he was clearly the iconic, dominant figure of the past half century,” said longtime political analyst William Ballenger. “He was synonymous with what Oakland County came to be and to represent.”
...
“He’s going to be remembered for his tremendous public service, leading one of the most successful counties in the nation,” said former Republican Gov. John Engler, a longtime friend and political ally. "Even when there was weakness around it. He can be very proud of AAA bond rating, the technology leadership and he helped create a jobs engine in the state. There are an awful lot of lives that are better because of Brooks’ leadership.”
...
"You cannot dispute his leadership abilities and his desire to make Oakland County the premier county in the country,” [Former Farmington Hills Mayor Vicki Barnett] said. "While we always disagreed on policy, he’s an extremely jovial, likable man with a bigger than life personality, who’s really been a champion for Oakland County.”

While I disagreed with Patterson about sprawl, transit policy and redistricting, I have to acknowledge that he ran the county where I've worked since 1996 and lived since 2010 very well for the past 27 years.  May the county be as fortunate with his successor.

Speaking of which, The Detroit News reported that "Poisson will take the oath of office to serve as county executive until either the Oakland County Board of Commissioners appoints a successor within 30 days or a special election is held."  That has the potential to be very interesting politically, if not downright entertaining.  Stay tuned.

Renew for the Zoo

Original here.
Today is the regular primary election day in Michigan, so I'm going to give my opinion on the millage renewal for the Detroit Zoo.  Deadline Detroit summarized the local media opinion of the millage with 4 Unanimous Editorials: Vote Yes Tuesday to Renew Detroit Zoo Support.

There's nothing divisive or partisan about animals. Even L. Brooks Patterson and Mark Hackel don't try to obstruct the Detroit Zoo's tax support, which four publications endorse...

That's a reference to the two County Executives obstructing a millage proposal for a regional transit plan, which I mentioned in Clawson 4th of July Parade.  I'll have more about that later.  Back to Deadline Detroit.

Wayne, Oakland and Macomb ballots Tuesday have a proposed renewal of a .1-mill property tax from 2018-28 for the popular attraction at Woodward and I-96.

The millage, which brings in more than $11 million annually, costs $10 a year for a home worth $200,000.

The 10-year renewal is is widely expected to pass, based on strong support in 2008 and on 2015 polling by the zoo...

Deadline Detroit then quotes editorials from the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Crain's Detroit Business, and Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield supporting the millage.  I can add a fifth from Daily Detroit as well as mine.  Vote yes.  I know I will.

And now, MLive shows one of the great projects that the Detroit Zoo has completed, the new Polk Penguin Conservation Center.

Inside the largest penguin facility in the world, Detroit Zoo's new Polk Penguin Conservation Center.

Enjoy the penguins and stay tuned for more elections coverage after the polls close.

Clawson 4th of July Parade

I concluded A drum corps 4th of July from the Troopers by mentioning what I'd be doing for the holiday.

Happy Fourth of July!  Enjoy your Independence Day celebration while I march in a parade.


I'll be sure to report on it later this month.  Stay tuned!

I'll start with something that happened that I didn't see, but WXYZ did: Firefighter proposes to girlfriend during Clawson 4th of July parade

One local couple was creating their own fireworks at the Clawson 4th of July parade Monday morning.

That's a cool story and I'm glad to have caught it online.  I was about an hour behind with Cyndi Peltonen and her family and volunteers, the same people I marched with two years ago.  The experience was just as fun, but a lot less dramatic than two years ago, when I joined them at the last minute, after the following photo was taken.


This year, I decorated her car and a trailer with signs, then marched carrying an American flag.  In my 41 years of marching, I'd never done that in a parade before.  That was the good news.  The bad news was that I didn't pass out any candy this year.  That's one of my favorite parts of the parade.  On the other hand, a Navy veteran saluted the flag as it passed.  I saw him, realized I should have military bearing, then marched at attention, eyes front, as he saluted.  That was an uncanny experience.

I also met Crystal Proxmire, whose videos and news reports I'd been including here since 2013.  She was there covering the parade.  We had a great conversation as we walked down the parade route for several blocks.  Great meeting you, Crystal!   Looking forward to talking to you again!

We got to the end of the parade, where the fair was already set up.  WXYZ showed the attractions in WXYZ: Firework show in Clawson brings out big crowds.

The Fourth of July holiday came with a big display in Clawson. The firework show brought huge crowds to the city.

On the bus ride back to the start of the parade, I ran into advocates for the Regional rapid transit plan for Metro Detroit.  The taxes to support the plan will likely be on the November ballot.  Look for me to cover that issue at least once this fall.

All in all, it was another fun parade.  I'm looking forward to doing it again in 2018.

'Star Trek' coins and stamps for the show's 50th anniversary

Yes, Canada has beaten the U.S. to the punch, at least with money.  Nerdist notes the irony of using "Star Trek" on money.

There may not be money in the United Federation of Planets, but there’s now legal Star Trek currency in Canada, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. Although some of these financial arrangements sound like they were made by a Ferengi.

Via The Trek Collective, the Canadian Mint has announced its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek by releasing a line of coins that can actually be used in financial transactions…if you were so inclined. Some of them are even reasonably priced. The $10 colored coins featuring Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Scotty are only being sold for slightly over the face value, while the $20 silver coins featuring the Enterprise are being sold at face value.

Not only is Canada issuing coins, the country is also issuing stamps: Star Trek™ 50th anniversary – Canada Post Stamp Sightings.


The Canadians aren't having all the fun.  Follow over the jump for more.

2014 Green Cruise and Ferndale Dream Cruise

I concluded WXYZ on Thursday at the 2014 Dream Cruise with this promise.

Stay tuned for more, including coverage of the Green Cruise from Crystal Proxmire of Oakland County One-Fifteen.

Time to make good on that promise, beginning with this video 2014 Green Cruise from Crystal Proxmire.


For more, read Crystal's story 2014 Green Cruise Encourages People to Think About the Planet.  Also read her announcement of Dream Cruise proper, Ferndale Dream Cruise Celebrate 20 Years, Aug. 14-16.  As for the promise I made last year to participate in this year's Green Cruise, that didn't happen because I thought Dream Cruise was next week.  Oops.  I'll see if I can make the third time the charm in 2015.

WXYZ on Thursday at the 2014 Dream Cruise

I already mentioned Dream Cruise earlier tonight, so it's time to cut to the chase and post WXYZ's coverage of the preparations for the event that I once called dopamine returned on gasoline invested.  Take it away WXYZ!

First, Dream Cruise pre-shows popping up from the Noon newscast.

As we approach the Woodward Dream Cruise this weekend, pre-shows are popping up along the Avenue.

Next, Gearing up for the Dream Cruise from 5 PM.


Finally, Dream Cruise this Saturday from 6 PM.

Dream Cruise lovers are already out on Woodward, even though the event isn't until Saturday.

Yes, every single afternoon and evening news show got in on the action.

Stay tuned for more, including coverage of the Green Cruise from Crystal Proxmire of Oakland County One-Fifteen.

2013 Green Cruise

If it's time for Woodward Dream Cruise, then it's also time for Green Cruise.  Here's Crystal Proxmire's video of the hightlight's of last Saturday's event, 2013 Ferndale Green Cruise


Again, I didn't go, both because I still don't have a bike and because I thought the parade was going to be held on Sunday.  Next year, I make sure I'll have the right date and own a bike of my own.  I'm too big for my wife's.