Meeting cancelled, future Oakland County Executive spot remains in limbo

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — It appeared that a plan that was in place to find L. Brooks Patterson’s semi-permanent replacement has stalled.

• David Woodward resigns from Oakland County Board of Commissioners

David Woodward announced a special meeting scheduled for Thursday night before stepping down on Wednesday. Those moves appeared to be indicators that his former colleagues were prepared to put him in the county executive’s office — a job they’re tasked with completing within 30 days of Patterson’s death to avoid a special election.

By state law, Woodward had to step down from his position as Count Commissioners President to be considered, however, the meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled.

The move comes after criticism from Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, who has also made it known that he’s interested in the job — both Woodward and Meisner were planning runs for the job before Patterson announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

At this point, it’s unknown when the commissioners will take up the issue. The position, regardless of who takes on the role in the short-term, will be up for election in 2020.

Gerald Poisson is currently serving as the interim County Executive. He worked alongside Patterson for 38 years, but is not considered a candidate for the job.