Bill Patterson likes helping people and hopes voters will let him continue doing so.
The retired pharmacist and Oxford resident filed for re-election Friday to his seat on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
“I enjoy it,” Patterson said outside the county clerk’s office in Pontiac. “I think I’m doing a good job representing the people of District #1. I listen to them and handle their complaints in a timely manner. I’m hopeful they will allow me to continue for two more years.”
Elected in 1998, the Republican represents Oxford, Addison, Brandon and Groveland townships, the northeast corner of Independence Township and the villages of Oxford, Leonard and Ortonville.
As a county commissioner, Patterson said his “primary job is administering the $500 million (annual county) budget,” which has become even more significant in this era of funding cutbacks.
Patterson said he’s spent nearly three terms in office trying to keep county dollars “heading north,” instead of having them “all go to the southern end (of the county).”
Patterson formerly served on the county’s Finance Committee.
In addition to keeping tabs on tax dollars and cents, Patterson enjoys using his position to help people on a one-on-one basis and is always willing to listen to his constituents.
“I get a lot of calls at home,” he said. “I like to hear from residents at home.”
Patterson said a woman recently called him inquiring about help for her sick mother. He listened to what she needed, then directed her to a senior advocate who could help and asked her to call back to keep him updated on her progress.
The commissioner also receives calls from residents with questions about local road and drainage issues, which thanks to the “tremendous cooperation” he receives from the county Road Commission and Drain Commission, Patterson is able to give prompt answers and explanations.
Besides attending board of commissioners meetings, Patterson chairs the Airport Committee, General Government Committee and the Oakland County Community Development Council, which oversees the local distribution of Community Development Block Grant funds.
Consisting of 10 citizens at large, six officials from local governments and four county commissioners, the Community Development Advisory Council utilizes “local input to help spend federal dollars.”
Patterson also sits on the county’s Personnel Committee and Oakland County Community Advisory Committee.
When he’s not busy helping run the county and representing his constituents interests, Patterson enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 52 years (this June), Ruth, and their five children and 13 grandchildren.
Patterson was a member of the Oxford Board of Education for eight years; past president and member of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce; past president and member of the Rotary Club of Oxford; and owned and operated Patteron Pharmacy in downtown Oxford for more than 30 years prior to his retirement in 1994.
To contact Patterson call him at 248-628-2077 (home) or 248-858-0100 (county). Or fax him at 248-628-2415 (home) or 248-858-1572 (county).