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Patterson To Deliver 'Optimistic' State Of County Address

PONTIAC (WWJ) - When will Oakland County fully recover from the recession? We'll get the prognosis from County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, delivering his State of the County address in Pontiac Wednesday night

"It's gonna take a few years," said Patterson, talking to WWJ Newsradio 950 earlier in the day. "We actually have that kind of graphed out. You can see the kind of jobs we're adding on a yearly basis."

"But the county government, how we've managed our affairs, it's never been stronger. I mean, we're ending the year with a significant surplus," he said. "There will be no more cuts in employment or salaries in Oakland County through (2012), 13, 14 and 15, so that's good news for the employees."

Patterson said, at this point, he's looking forward to rebuilding and re-adding some of the programs that had to be sacrificed along the way.

"My report is very optimistic," Patterson said. "I think we're going to differentiate ourselves for those other communities who, frankly, are chasing deficits."

Other topics Patterson said he'll cover in his speech include the impact of a new medical school and some new programs the county will soon launch.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Macomb County executive Mark Hackel and Wayne county executive Bob Ficano are expected to be in the Pontiac audience.

MORE: Bitter Divide: Dueling Addresses In Oakland County

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for coverage of Patterson's address, beginning at 7 p.m.

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