L. Brooks Patterson Looks Ahead: 'The County is Changing'

The Oakland County executive proved he's a stand-up guy during an Election Night appearance in Royal Oak.

As Democrats celebrated election victories Tuesday in Michigan and across the country, the mood at the Emagine Royal Oak theater complex, where more than 200 Oakland County Republicans gathered, was a mixed bag. That is, until L. Brooks Patterson, 73, changed the energy of room.  “He gave some remarks and then he told us he had a surprise for us – and then he stood up on his own,” said former Royal Oak Mayor Dennis Cowan. “Everyone burst into applause.”  Patterson, elected to his sixth term as Oakland County Executive on Nov. 6, was injured in a crash in August that left him hospitalized at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac for five weeks after suffering almost a dozen broken bones. He returned to work in October using a wheelchair and …

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What Are Michigan's 2012 Ballot Proposals?

On Nov. 6, Clawson voters will face yes or no vote on six statewide proposals, ranging from a new bridge to Canada to the emergency manager law.

Voters in Clawson and all over Michigan will have to make many decisions in the November election, including yes or no votes on six state proposals on issues that range from a new bridge to Canada to collective bargaining. Here are the six state proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot in Michigan. For more information on the state ballot proposals, go to Vote411.org and to Ballotpedia. How would you vote on these proposals?

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LWV to Host Forum Today for County Commissioner Candidates

Candidates from County Commissioner Districts 11, 16 and 20 have been invited to the Oct. 10 forum in Clawson.

Video Replay: Howrylak, Kerwin Speak to Voters at LWV Candidate Forum

Candidates for 41st District State Representative Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) and Mary Kerwin (D-Troy) met in Clawson Wednesday for a League of Women Voters of Troy Area candidate forum.

Here is the replay of the hour-long candidate forum for 41st District State Representative candidates Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) and Mary Kerwin (D-Troy). Howrylak and Kerwin attended the League of Women Voters of Troy Area candidate forum on Oct. 3 at Clawson City Hall. The video will also be played on the Clawson Municipal Channel (WOW channel 10, Comcast channels 17 & 914) at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. this Wednesday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 15. Replays on CMNtv (WOW and Comcast channel 18) will be Wednesdays at 5 p.m. until the election on Nov. 6. You may also view the video on the League of Women Voters website. For more election coverage, follow Troy Patch on Facebook and Twitter. And sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Hundreds Rally Outside Troy Marriott Before Romney Fundraiser Event

The presidential candidate is in town for a private event hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday night.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Troy Marriott hotel on Big Beaver Road to rally in protest of visiting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney is in Troy for a private fundraiser hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder at the hotel. Protesters carried signs and waved at motorists along Big Beaver, many of whom were honking as they passed by. "We're here to support Barack Obama," said Jeff Klayo of Mt. Clemens, who attended the rally with two fellow UAW members. "He stands for the little guys... The working class." Liz Ratzloff of Ann Arbor attended the rally and wore the official "Pillamina" mascot costume for Planned Parenthood. "I'm here sporting Pillamina because Romney doesn't support low-cost …

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Dianne Miller

12:33 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

Unsubstantiated claim.   more ›

GOP Hopefuls Share Visions for Economic Recovery on OU Stage

Eight presidential candidates talk jobs, housing, health care, taxes — and character.

Eight Republican presidential hopefuls took turns offering their thoughts on all aspects of the economy — and faith and trust — on the stage of a transformed O'rena on the campus of Oakland University on Wednesday night. In a nationally televised debate coordinated by the Michigan Republican Party, the university and CNBC, candidates Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum sparred on issues related to money, jobs, housing and taxes. One of them, Michigan GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak, said at the start of the two-hour debate, could likely be the "next leader of the free world." Outside the O'rena, about a hundred protesters gathered – far fewer than the thousands of …

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GOP Protesters Voice Opposition, Support at Rochester Debate

Demonstrators make their opinions known at protest Wednesday night at Oakland University.

There was chanting, drum beating, yelling through megaphones and plenty of political posters on the campus of Oakland University on Wednesday night. The demonstrators, from all over Metro Detroit, converged on the campus for the GOP presidential debate. At about 5 p.m., dozens of protesters had gathered along the entrance of Oakland University, as passers-by honked their horns and yelled out car windows. "Republicans: rich and rude, we don't like their attitude," a large group of the protesters yelled. Amy Murawka, of the North Oakland Democratic Club, was protesting Mitt Romney's campaign for president with the slogan "No Mitt in the Mitten." "He's not going to support the middle class," Murawka said. "We gotta stay with (President Barack…

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Who's Your Pick? Virg or Rick?

With the Michigan gubernatorial election on Tuesday, Megan Swoyer hit the streets of Clawson to find out which candidate residents and local employees support.

Will it be Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero (Democrat) or Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder (Republican)? Many were still undecided over the weekend which candidate for governor will garner their vote. One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Rick Snyder for sure. I haven't voted Republican in the past, but this time I want to send a message." "Rick Snyder. He has sound business principles that can apply to state government," said, A. C. Joyce, a Clawson resident and retiree. "Bernero would just be a continuation of the Granholm years." Others have no interest in the election. Said one Clawson business owner: "I have no idea. Politics? That's one area I am not interested in." Here's what the rest the people I talked to had to say:

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On the Ballot: Ed Spillers, State House, 41st District

Twenty-year media veteran and small-business owner Ed Spillers said he plans to focus on transportation and improving the job market if elected.

Party: Democratic Age: 34 Education: B.A. in communications from Central State University Occupation: Owner of Famous Production Inc., a home-based advertising agency Family: Has lived in Clawson with his wife since 2009 Community Activities: Oakland County Transit Advocacy Committee, volunteer for Transportation Riders United, mentor with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit What makes Clawson a great community: "It's small, but has a really big heart. I like that it's quiet and neighborly has become a community where everything you need is right here." What are the most important issues in this year's election: Job market, transportation, providing assistance to small business owners, funding for education  What solutions do…

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