Editorial: Our choice for Oakland County executive

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Oakland County has a tradition of businesslike government, run solely for the benefit of its customers — the residents and businesses of the county.

Credit the late L. Brooks Patterson, who was Michigan's most innovative local politician during his 28 years at the county's helm.

Patterson is gone, but the practices and governing philosophy that have made Oakland so successful should continue.

Former state Sen. Mike Kowall, like Patterson a Republican, is most likely to carry forward that legacy, and should be elected county executive. 

Kowall of White Lake is a fiscal conservative who will keep the county on a disciplined financial course of efficient spending, low taxes and reasonable regulations. That was his reputation during his 12 years in the state Legislature — eight years in the Senate and four in the House.

He will also put Oakland first, assuring that cooperative regional efforts make sense for the county's taxpayers.

Kowall supports a regional transit plan, but wants to be certain that all Oakland communities funding the system will see some benefit.

Kowall is facing interim County Executive Dave Coulter of Ferndale, who was appointed by the county board 14 months ago to fill out Patterson's term.

Coulter has been a good caretaker, most recently guiding a bipartisan county budget to completion.

Our concern is that Coulter will be too deferential to public employee unions and other progressive interests at the expense of sound fiscal policy.

Kowall best understands what it takes to keep Oakland the most attractive and job friendly county in southeastern Michigan. 

Endorsements are determined independently by The Detroit News Editorial Board and have no influence on news coverage.