Has Dan Gilbert become the new Coleman Young -- the new south-of-8-Mile-Road target -- for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to attack?
It has a little bit of that feel -- Oakland County vs. Detroit.
Bill Laitner of the Detroit Free Press writes:
Downtown Detroit's premier jobs booster and real-estate investor should keep his hands off Oakland County's employers, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson warned Wednesday.
Patterson's saber-rattling talk came in a speech in Southfield, where the outspoken county boss cheered the introduction of the county's new tech248 initiative, aimed at expanding and marketing the county's technology jobs base, but lashed out at Dan Gilbert's recent prospecting north of 8 Mile Road.
Speaking to an audience of 140 technology firms at a tech firm's offices, Patterson told the techies: "I'll fight to keep you here in Oakland County."
Then, in a direct shot at Gilbert, Patterson added: "Are you listening Dan?" evoking laughter from listeners, who included numerous Oakland County officials.
In photo, Gilbert announces in 2007 that he's moving workers downtown. (AP photo)
Patterson thinks that Gilbert should set his sights on places outside of Michigan, rather than raiding the suburbs.
"I would be more impressed with Mr. Gilbert's efforts if he were to bring in high-tech companies from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois rather than looking through the fertile vineyards of Oakland County," Patterson said.
-- Allan Lengel
