Goodland Twp. names Patterson as new supervisor

GOODLAND TWP. — The Goodland Township Board selected Patrick Patterson as its new supervisor during a special meeting last Thursday, filling the leadership vacancy left by the resignation of former supervisor Mike Ekardt.

Patterson was one of six applicants for the position. 

“I’m honored, grateful and thankful the board selected me,” Patterson said in a phone interview with The Tri-City Times. “I am looking forward to working with the board and our residents to make Goodland Township successful.”

Patterson was born and raised in Goodland Township, growing up on the family’s farm. He is a 1998 graduate of Imlay City and has had an interest in local government for some time. 

“I understand the responsibility that comes with being a supervisor and I can’t wait to get started,” Patterson said. “We all need to strengthen relationships locally and at the county and state level. We are all in this together and it’s going to take a lot of effort from all of us working together to make the township the best it can be.”

The new supervisor said he has extensive experience in working to secure grants, having been successful with around $2 million in grant funding from previous work experience. 

“I will work hard to gain the residents’ trust and am going to be totally transparent with what is going on.” 

Patterson said he feels working in the area of public service “heals the heart, giving back to others and trying to make where you live a better place.”

Patterson said previous work in finance has helped make him knowledgeable in working with budgets and he intends to help build a budget and operate within those parameters. The new supervisor feels one of the more pressing issues in the township is the condition of the roads.

“We will be working closely with the road commission and see what we can do to improve the road system,” Patterson explained. “Many of the roads are in bad shape and we need to see about maybe getting limestone instead of gravel. Most importantly, we will listen to residents’ opinions and concerns and work together to resolve this and other issues.”

“I am deeply honored and grateful to the Goodland Township Board for placing its trust in me,” Patterson said in a prepared statement last week. “Goodland Township has a proud history, including Ron Cischke’s extraordinary 55 years of service and I understand the responsibility that comes with this appointment. 

“My immediate priorities are to listen to residents, learn from our board and township staff, strengthen relationships with county and state partners and ensure township operations remain stable and responsive. I want to approach issues such as roads, public safety, fiscal responsibility and preserving our rural character collaboratively and thoughtfully. 

“I do not expect to accomplish everything overnight, but residents can expect me to be accessible, prepared, transparent and willing to work hard on their behalf.”

Patterson says he runs organized, strict meetings. 

“We will be following Roberts Rules of Order and we want to hear from the public, at their designated time,” he said. “We will follow the agenda and run an orderly meeting and we will be starting on time and ending on time. I do not believe in long meetings.”

Patterson began his duties on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and will conduct his first meeting in early September.

Clerk Amy Nolin presided over the board’s past two meetings.