The Lake Orion Sunrise Rotary Club has had several ‘big name? speakers in recent weeks and has more scheduled for the coming months.
Last week, the club welcomed Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to their weekly breakfast meeting at C.J.’s Sandbar in downtown.
Patterson spoke on a number of topics, including the recent announcement regarding the Schrauger family.
Patterson, who was headed to meet with the governor that day, also talked about a number of state and county issues.
His trip to Lansing was geared toward stopping the service tax recently agreed upon by the state legislature. Patterson said he had issues with the fact that the legislature was increasing such taxes while their budget was on the rise.
‘They raise the spending revenue by 8.5-percent in the midst of this crisis,? he told the club.
The start of the ‘Ax the tax? petition drive appears to have some legs, as Governor Jennifer Granholm said she is open to the idea, if something else can take its place. Patterson said elected officials across the state are looking for a solution.
At the county level, things are much less in flux, according to Patterson.
‘Everyone knows that Oakland County drives the state’s economy,? he said, adding that he would like to keep it that way.
One of the ways the county will stay among the nation’s best, Patterson said, is by focusing on influential business sectors, which will help to create more jobs.
‘This program, I am convinced, is going to shape our economy over the first half of this century,? he said.
Among the identified sectors are financial services, health services and alternative energy, a field in which Orion is helping to lead the way.
‘It’s a clustering effect,? Patterson said. ‘Once you get the first alternative energy company in here, the next one wants to be nearby.?
Another thing that could be a draw for the county is its Wireless Oakland program, which Patterson said is a bit behind schedule, but is still one of a kind.
‘The 18-and-a-half miles we do have hooked up makes us the largest free wireless in the country,? he said.
Orion is not one of the pilot communities, but Patterson said he hopes the program makes its way here soon.
For a full schedule of upcoming Rotary speakers and for more information on the club, visit www.lakeorionrotary.org.