As people mourn the passing of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Aug. 3 at the age of 80, Oxford Township resident Mike Spisz hopes he will be remembered as “one of the best leaders out there.”

“He’s done a hell of a job running this county. It’s going to be hard to fill his shoes,” said Spisz, a Republican who has served as the District 3 representative on the county Board of Commissioners since 2013.

“I’ve travelled around the country (and) around the world. When you bring up Oakland County, everybody knows exactly who L. Brooks Patterson is . . . He’s led Oakland County to where it is today (in terms of growth and prosperity). He’s kept it there for over 26 years. Everybody emulates Oakland County where they can,” he continued.

To Spisz, what made Patterson, who was elected in November 1992 and died in the midst of his seventh term, such a good leader was the way “he was always willing to push the envelope to get things done.”

“He was always looking forward (to) what’s on the next horizon,” the commissioner said. “He was not waiting for something to happen.”

Spisz said Patterson’s administration was characterized by a desire for the county to be a leader, not a follower, when it came to enacting new programs, launching bold initiatives and putting innovative ideas into practice. Patterson’s administration embraced everything from changing technologies and the global economy to new ways to fund county employee health care and retirement benefits, which have saved taxpayers more than $250 million, according to the county.

To him, Patterson’s style of governing was based on the premise, “Don’t let people tell us what we need to be doing. Let’s be on the forefront of putting things in place.”

Spisz believes one of the most significant things that happened on Patterson’s watch was the county’s achievement of a AAA bond rating in 1998, a rating it has maintained to this day. This measurement of financial strength enables the county to obtain the lowest interest rates the market allows to finance bonds.

Not only does this help the county government, Spisz explained it benefits all of the townships, villages and cities in Oakland because they can have bonds issued through the county for a lower cost than their own ratings would yield.

In addition to the things he accomplished in the worlds of government and business, Spisz said Patterson made his mark when it came to helping others.

The commissioner pointed out that Patterson established both the Brooksie Way and The Rainbow Connection.

Proceeds generated by the annual Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5-kilometer race fund mini-grants that are awarded to Oakland County organizations that promote healthy and active lifestyles. More than 150 organizations have received $250,000 in funding.

In the 1980s, Patterson created The Rainbow Connection, an organization that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Over 3,500 wishes have been granted to date.

“A lot of people forget that he put those (charities) together,” Spisz said.

Going forward, as the county looks to fill the executive position, Spisz hopes “everybody understands (Patterson’s legacy and achievements) and works hard to keep what Brooks has done in place.”

“I know there are some things that people might want to do a little differently, which I understand, but I hope they don’t go in and try to upend the apple cart just to be different,” he said.

Almost 12 hours after Patterson’s passing, Chief Deputy County Executive Gerald Poisson was sworn in as county executive.

Poisson will fill that role until the board of commissioners appoints a replacement. If the board does not appoint someone within 30 days, state law requires a special election be held.