Oakland County Board of Commissioners Media Alert

Board Saddened with the Loss of Oakland County Commissioner Jeff Potter

(Pontiac, Michigan) -- On Monday, June 21, 2010, Oakland County Commissioner Jeffrey Potter (R-) passed away at the age 58 of an apparent heart attack at Providence Hospital in Novi.

Elected in 2002, to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Potter represented District #8 which includes the cities of South Lyon, Walled Lake, Wixom and a portion of the City of Novi. He also represented the Charter Township of Lyon.

Since 1984, he was a resident of South Lyon and was very active in the community. Commissioner Potter was a member of the Republican Party, who was an advocate for the people he served. He was a staunch supporter, organizer and founder of the Huron Valley Trail System which connects many southwest Oakland communities and area parks as part of his goal to preserve and utilize land for greenspace. 

He authored a Strategic Land Acquisition project and was very passionate about reducing the cost of government through community partnerships.

At his last Board meeting on June 9, 2010, Commissioner Potter focused his energies on the issue of the free Michigan State Police services that is provided to select communities. In his resolution, which was passed by the Board, he advocated that the Michigan State Police subsidy be “progressively and permanently eliminated.”

He was a leader on the Board serving as the current Committee Chair for the Public Services Committee. He worked in many capacities and served on numerous committees and boards during his tenure as a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

Oakland County Board Chairman Bill Bullard, Jr., stated “The passing of Commissioner Potter is a tremendous loss to our Board and the county. We are shocked about his sudden passing and send our condolences to the Potter family and the residents he admirably served in his district.”

Before joining the Board, Mr. Potter served the residents of South Lyon first as a city councilman from 1987 to 1989. In 1989, he became the Mayor of the City of South Lyon, where he served honorably until 2002, when he was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. His illustrious career in public service spanned more than 20 years.

Commissioner Potter is survived by his wife and three children.

For more information, contact Julia Ruffin, Oakland County Board of Commissioners-Liaison at 248-858-1092.