READY FOR HIS CLOSE UP

Andy Meisner

It’s been rumored for a long time, but Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is finally ready to confirm that he is exploring a run for Oakland County Executive in 2020. The Democrat, a Huntington Woods resident who first became treasurer in 2008 and was reelected in 2012 and 2016, and previously was a state representative, said being the treasurer has helped form who he is. “It’s mission will always be my mission,” Meisner said, while acknowledging that “Oakland County is a fantastic place. We have strengths – but we are at a crossroads. We need to have a conversation as we come to our 200th year where we want to go in the next 200 years.” Taking a swipe at current, and long-term exec L. Brooks Patterson, known for his antagonistic – to say the least – relationship with Wayne County, Meisner is emphasizing regional collaboration while acknowledging he doesn’t know if Patterson will run for an extraordinary eighth term. “Instead of thinking of our regional partners as competition, if we think of them as partners, we can row in the same direction competing with other regions, states and trading blocks. This way we’re growing the pie instead of fighting over crumbs.” He sees regional transit – Patterson’s arch enemy – as an essential opportunity for growth. Yup. He’s running.