MUM'S THE WORD

L. Brooks Patterson

Wondering what Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will have to say during his 2019 State of the County address on the evening of Thursday, February 7? Not even his closest associates have any idea what bon mots will drop from Brooks' mouth, as only Bill Mullen, Oakland County media and communications officer, and Kelly Slevak, Brooks' longtime administrative assistant, have any idea what will be in the speech. One official noted he'd never seen a speech in 25 years – always hearing it cold when Brooks delivers it. As to whether he'll introduce a new initiative, like Oakland County's famed Automation Alley or Medical Main Street, or if he'll acknowledge rumors of a potential re-election or retirement in 2020, only those invited to the new auditorium at the corporate headquarters at United Shore Mortgage in Pontiac will know.