In February, this Centrist penned a lengthy post on CNN which lauded the leadership and vision of L Brooks Patterson who is the Executive in the County of Oakland (MI).
February 3, 2009
CNN/iReport
The Governor of the State of Michigan and the Oakland County executive both presented their ‘state of’ speeches at the same time. Through the beauty of the internet and webcasting I was able to watch both presentations simultaneously. My dillema was to watch the same, undelivered promises of the Gov. or watch an Oakland county executive who has delivered and will continue to deliver. The key word here is ‘deliver’. I show more interest and committment to a leader who has delivered against one who hasnt like the Gov. of Michigan. Please watch the video of Executive Patterson’s speech and let me know what you think. Here is the link to the speech: http://www.oakgov.com/exec/speeches/2008_soc/index.html -
Story: L. Brooks Patterson presented the State of Oakland County on 2.4.09. This county is one of the leaders in the country for Health Care, Technology , Biomedical Sciences, Green Techologies. The webcast really shows how innovative the leadership is and is certainly worth a view. Link to webcast: L. Brooks Patterson is beginning his fifth four-year term as Oakland County Executive after winning re-election in 2008 by another large electoral margin. As the chief elected official in one of Americas most affluent and progressive counties, Mr. Patterson presides over a $769 million dollar annual budget for FY2008 and a county workforce of nearly 4,000 full and part time benefit eligible employees. During the 16 years of the Patterson administration, Oakland County government has earned respect from Wall Street for its solid tax base and sound financial policies by attaining and maintaining a coveted AAA bond rating, which only 34 of the nation’s 3,200 counties have received. Innovative programs
Mr. Patterson has launched include: Mandarin Chinese In his 2007 State of the County Address, Mr. Patterson, noting the challenges presented by Chinas emergence as a world economic power, called for Oakland County to be the first county in America to teach Mandarin Chinese in all 28 public school districts. Educators responded and today the Mandarin Chinese language is taught in 22 school districts in Oakland County while Mandarin Culture and History is taught in all 28 school districts.
Emerging Sectors An initiative focused on identifying the top ten emerging and promising business sectors for the new economy of the 21st Century that Oakland County might be able to attract for future job growth and long lasting economic stability. Companies in these emerging sectors are involved in such cutting edge technologies as biotechnology, nanotechnology, wireless communications and alternative energy.
Centrist Notes: In an earlier post, this Centrist penned on
Michigan Democratic Leadership Ignores Trading With China As Renault-Nissan Turns Over A New LEAF Of Trade Worth Billions.
Posted By Centrist on November 23, 2009
Reading ‘Bridge To China’ by Tom Watkins in the Dome Journal. The fine article clearly illustrates how the current Democratic Leadership in Michigan has chosen to ignore building any sustainable economic relationship with China.
"Michigan’s 2006 race for governor set a tone that continues to handcuff our state’s bleak economy.
Millions of dollars were spent in that race by the Michigan Democratic Party and the Granholm for Governor campaign to use China to demonize the governor’s political opponent."
To what extent has the Governor and her administration developed a trading office with China. Read an excellent analysis by Tim Skubick entitled ‘Campaign rhetoric kept Granholm from attracting Chinese business to state’ that was penned on November 13, 2009. One of the more disturbing quotes from the head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) about economic relations between Michigan and China is as follows:
"It’s a developing relationship," said Greg Main, who runs the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) charged with bringing jobs back here.
"It’s not a top priority," he said because China is not into what Michigan is looking for, i.e. energy technology. "We’re not ignoring them," Main said, but energy is not China’s bag right now
China is not into what Michigan is looking for, i.e. energy technology
In a posting earlier this year, this Centrist wrote on the announcement that Granholm made about Michigan receiving $1.3b in federal grants for advanced vehicle batteries. It was to make Michigan the EV battery capital of the globe.
The Centrist and millions of Michiganders would like to see L. Brooks Patterson name Tom Watkins as a key leader in the International Business Center to promote business relationships with China. Mr. Watkins is one of the pre-eminent leaders on all things China and business as evidenced by his ‘‘Bridge To China’ writings.
Via Freep
December 20, 2009
Planning is to begin immediately for a $394,800 international business promotion center in Troy after Michigan Democrats in Washington promoted the expansion of a program founded by Republican and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
The federal 
The bill to fund the new center was cosponsored in Washington by U.S. senators Carl Levin and Debbie
Begun to attract high-tech businesses to Oakland County, Automation Alley now comprises more than 1,000 business, educational and government members in eight counties of southeast Michigan.
Related Websites -
Lake County to be Reassessed to 1.5 for homeowners by 2009 Great news for the state, but more importantly for Lake County. If you were not aware when the first information came out about changes or reassessment of taxes it was stated that all but two counties were going to benefit from the changes. You guess Lake County was not going...... -
Is There Something Going On In the Gulf Of Mexico? Apparently, there was some kind of explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, and oil has been leaking in the gulf ever since. It's been over 50 days and now oil seems to be everywhere there now. It's a tragedy and an absolute disaster. My heart goes out to the...... -
California (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) User Reviews Send this to a friend California (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) Manufacturer: DK Travel Customer Rating: List Price: $30.00 Sale Price: $19.80 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Buy Now Product Description DK Eyewitness Travel's full-color guidebooks to hundreds of destinations around the world truly show...... -
My personal collection of book trade ephemera Benjamin Clark is the Curator of Education for the Oklahoma Museum of History. Benjamin wrote this exclusive and very interesting article for us. He retains copyright of the first image and the text, of course. The second image is in the public domain. My personal collection of book trade ephemera...... -
China Suspends Military Exchanges, Will Sanction US Companies That Sell Arms to Taiwan [/caption] State media say China is suspending military exchanges with the United States and will level sanctions against U.S. companies that sell arms to Taiwan after Washington said it intends to sell $6 billion in military equipment to Taiwan. The official Xinhua news agency carried a strongly-worded statement from the......