A Tearful L. Brooks Patterson Returns to Work
Amid co-workers and family, a choked up Oakland County Executive says, "I have some other great ideas I need to do before I am done."
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With his daughter by his side, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson returned to the Oakland County Executive Office Building in Pontiac for the first time since he was injured in an August crash.
Mary Warner, 36, accompanied her father into the Conference Center where the 73-year-old was greeted with signs that read “Welcome Back Brooks” and a standing ovation from his managers, chiefs and the media.
A tearful Patterson greeted the audience from a wheelchair. Looking much thinner and speaking softly he told the audience he managed to take 168 steps today and is determined to walk again. He recalled how Anthony Prainito, 31, of Royal Oak, changed three lives on Aug. 10.
“They put in a new device—a blinking yellow—and people do not know that does not give you the right-of-way and he shot through that at full speed. He just creamed us.”
For 17 days after the accident, Patterson said he was out. He doesn’t remember much and that is one of the reasons he invited his daughter to speak at the press conference—to recall the early days of his hospitalization for the media. He also joked that his son, who is a chiropractor, advised him not to take any pain medication today saying it would compromise the county executive’s ability to speak.
“I disregarded what he said and I took the pain pills. I told him I was going to deal with this news conference in one swell poop,” Patterson said drawing a laugh from the audience.
“We knew Dad was back when the jokes started coming back,” said Warner.
'It’s Dad’s will to be here'
Like her father, Warner is witty and has a gift for public speaking. She spoke off the cuff about the ups and the downs the family endured during the five weeks her father spent in McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac after suffering almost a dozen broken bones.
“They gave him a 3 percent chance to live,” Warner said. “There is no other explanation for me and my family other than it’s Dad’s will to be here—and it is God’s will.”
Warner believes there is a reason her father needs to be here—there is something else he needs to do.
“He said to me, ‘I have done the Dobson Open, which I am very proud of. I have done the Brooksie Way, which I am very proud of. And, I have some other great ideas I need to do before I am done.’ As his daughter, I can’t wait to see the things he’s going to cook up for us in the next few years.”
While Patterson’s injuries have been a nightmare, it is clear the ordeal has brought him closer to his family. And, not one to wear his Roman Catholic faith on his sleeve, he said he has a new focus on religion.
Name recognition is enough
Patterson told the press he doesn’t plan to do much campaigning this week. If he were in the race for his first four-year term he’d be in trouble, but voters know him after 20 years, he said.
“I have seen some polls that my campaign has done and I think my name ID is at 99 or 98 percent. People say ‘Why don’t you get some signs out?’ For that 2 percent? I know where they live!” he joked.
Patterson faces Democrat Kevin Howley, of Huntington Woods, in his bid for re-election on Nov. 6.
“We’re really glad to see Brooks Patterson is back and we are especially happy that this experience drew him closer to his family, because at the end of the day it’s all about family,” Howley said by phone.
Setting that aside, Howley said there are still issues that need to be addressed in Oakland County.
“We really have had nothing new out of this administration. When the election is over, people are going to want some results, and clearly I believe I am the person to move Oakland County forward.”
Sally
8:32 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
.... Brooks, IF you never walked again, or were extremely disabled, I, (we) would always VOTE for you!!! ... We love you, we hope your pain lessens soon, and that your achey bones w/ HEAL quickly as IF a miracle came upon you. Just be patient - like we are, and before you know it you will be 1,000% whole and healthy.
uknowimright
8:46 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Oh, for crying out loud. Really? Leave the sentimental BS at home, folks.
Frank D.
11:22 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Welcome back Brooks...
Daryl Patrishkoff
6:41 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Great to see Brooks back with his personality and spirit, this is what makes him who he is and a great County Executive.
It seems his injuries were much more severe than we thought. He is in my prayers for a complete speedy recovery. He has learned a lesson about seat belts the hard way, this has had an impact on him and I believe he will turn this into some good.
This is a lesson for all of us, life can change in a second! Enjoy your family everyday and make sure the ones you love know it without question.
Haulin T Male
10:31 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
dido
Joan Berndt
11:57 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Welcome back, Brooks. I've been praying for a return to good health for both you and your driver.
Medical marijuana Victims
1:19 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Brooks You need to hit the road jack and never come back
Charles Gaba
1:25 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Hmmmm...there are supposedly 7 comments posted but I can only see 2 of them, whether I'm logged into my account or not. Am I the only one experiencing this issue?
JohnKimble
2:05 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
more than likely the patch has post-moderation enabled. meaning that an editor/moderator reviews each post prior to it actually being published. some web-forums will retain a "post count" even if every post is deleted/removed by an overseer
political posts, and/or politicians end up being bashed quite a bit on web-forums, discussion forums and blogs.
Charles Gaba
3:09 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
JohnKimble--thanks, but that's not what's happening in this situation--comments that are *live* (ie, showing up on the home page "latest comments" list, showing up in my email alerts, etc) are not appearing in the comment threads. Technical glitch I'm sure, just wondering.
Pete
3:43 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
same happening to me Charles...it's not just waiting for a moderater to release new comments...there is some glitch going on here.
Haulin T Male
10:30 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Come to think about it I have in the past, seen some are missing. ????
Haulin T Male
2:11 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
yep
Haulin T Male
10:29 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
comments are approved, before release, they do show up, as soon as released, then they go to your email etc........... I have not seen, but I have not tracked to see either.......... I will be from now on.......... thank, it is to their benefit to be fair and balance....... and leave personal attacks out of it........... I hope that is all they censor.......
Joni Hubred-Golden
3:43 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
You are correct about the technical problems, Charles. Our IT people are working behind the scenes to get everything back on track!
Ray Smith
6:26 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
While I have nothing against Brooks, I don't like it when some of these politicians get into office and never seem to leave. In this case, I think it's time for some fresh blood.
Haulin T Male
10:22 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
does it mean he has done a good job? other wise, you have a voice Tue. But it is by majority. ------- I did not vote initially for Paterson, but seeing what he did, has done, I have seen no reason to vote him out. others have brought up diff. stuff he has done, I for one like the PARK system the County has. When a couple of cities from the south end, sent a nice letter on the fact all the new parks, were in the wide open spaces on the Northern and west side of the County. he heard it, he set out to enlarge, take over, and add a water park...... in the so. end. they do not toss out most any thing of any value.............. case in point, the SPRING AUCTION at building (?) 16 ................. it is an all day auction, much larger then I ever imagine...... stuff from, computers, cords, Forceps, (illegal abortion clinic) to very nice vehical's, tractors, on and on...... and the items are on the web. some with pic's..... so potential bidders can have fore site.
Trees
7:06 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Predictable - a politician has to throw religion into everything. And why won't he speak out, even a "lesson learned" about not wearing his seat belt and his driver speeding? I have no sympathy for any person, particularly a public servant, who thinks that laws are meant for other people.
By the way, doesn't he have a driver in the first place because he was drunk-driving? Do taxpayers fund that driver?
Anita B
4:15 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
In the video above he does address the seat belt issue and admits his wrong-doing, vows to wear the belt every time. Thankful that he was able to live to give the message himself. Too many don't have that chance.
Karen M Faett
7:42 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Why can't you haters either keep your thoughts to yourself or look past the politics and be charitable to a fellow human being ? The judgment needs to end. I feel sad that as a community we have become so cruel. Brooks lost a twin brother, a son, and three months of his life trying to recover yet here he is, courageous, ready to do his job keeping our county financially sound. How about some "Thank you, Mr. Patterson" instead of this petty nonsense?
Daryl Patrishkoff
9:11 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Karen,
Well said!
atoz
10:34 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Now bow out gracefully and take your little marathon that holds residents hostage in their neighborhoods somewhere else.
FYI Karen, this is America and we have free speech; good or bad. Comment section is not for only "charitable commentary".
Patricia Kane
11:10 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
We are kept sound by the taxpayers that are still working and people making investment in SE MI, particularly Oakland County. Our elected Commissioners are part of the "visionary". Department heads contribute greatly. I sympathize with loss of life, however, circumstances show that one could have been avoided, but accidents happen with poor personal judgement just as it did with Brooks. I don't think any one should be labeled as a "hater" because of a difference in opinion or political view. We "paid" for Brooks, his insurance, his driver, his salary, his car, and unfortunate this time his lack of judgement. He paid the price with pain and suffering- but that doesn't mean everyone is happy with him.
We have been kept fiscally sound in Oakland County due to more than one man. All you have to do is look at your tax bill twice a year. Obviously for the time he was not making decisions due to the accident, Oakland County ran just fine. I am glad he is recovering. I don't always agree with him, but I am not a "hater" either...just of different opinion. Many families have suffered greater tragedies and it does not garner this outpouring and "adulation". Still, injuries could have been less with a seatbelt. Click it or Ticket has been around a long time. I think everyone knows that.
Honest remarks and honest opinions-
Newtome
9:26 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
So glad Brooks Patterson is back to give us another 4 years. He is a visionary who has led Oakland County with his own ideas and tenacity in establishing Oakland County as a great place to work & live. You can thank him for aggressively championing business investment in OC, for creating opportunities via programs & loans & grants for small businesses, for establishing Mainstreet OC where small town business & residents can both benefit from creating a community network, for persuing rails to trails projects and natural conservation where miles of connected trails for walking, biking, running have been created and enjoyed by all OC residents and of course through envisioning and directing the start of Automation Alley which connects mulitiple SE Mich county businesses into working collabertively to expand, as well as, retain or seek Michigan talent. Those are just to name a few of Brooks accomplishments...BTW "Atoz" the marathon is just a nice way for him to give back to the community in honor of his son who passed away unexpectedly a few years ago.
Kate
12:46 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
I agree, well said, Karen. Atoz, her comments had nothing to do with thinking America doesn't have free speech. I think she was simply making an appeal to human compassion. This is an inappropriate time and place for your forum of hatred, despite your traffic issues caused by the profitable marathon in memory of his deceased son.
Dennis B
9:27 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Great to hear you are on the road to a full recovery Brooks. Go get 'em Tiger!