"Editorial: Ed McNamara's legacy is world-class airport"

Monday, February 20, 2006

Editorial: Ed McNamara's legacy is world-class airport
Late county executive pushed through his vision for Metro
The Detroit (MI) News


Edward H. McNamara was an old-school machine politician whose tenure as
Wayne County executive was marred by cronyism and patronage.

But he was also a visionary, an efficient administrator -- a powerful
political personality who could get a deal done when a deal was needed.

Most likely, as time passes, the triumphs of Mr. McNamara's reign will be
remembered more than the shortcomings. Mr. McNamara died Sunday at age 79.
He retired as county executive in 2002.

The McNamara terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport bears his name for
good reason. The modern, expanded airport was Mr. McNamara's dream from the
time he took office in 1987.

He saw a first-class airport as a key to economic development in the region,
and invested his considerable political capital to push the project through.
He had the good sense to allow Northwest Airlines to design the terminal and
manage the construction, a decision that likely saved taxpayers millions of
dollars.

The airport is now widely considered to be the best in the nation.

And although Mr. McNamara used contracting at the old airport to keep his
campaign coffers stocked, it was he who finally signed off on the formation
of the new airport authority, removing the facility from the control of
county politicians and assuring it would not be compromised by additional
scandals.

Mr. McNamara also was instrumental in bringing both Ford Field and Comerica
Park to downtown Detroit.

He nurtured a new generation of political leaders, including Gov. Jennifer
Granholm, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, former Deputy Mayor Freman Hendrix, former
county Prosecutor Mike Duggan and former U.S. Attorney Saul Green.

Before taking his county office, he was the long-time mayor of Livonia and
helped turn that city into a well-planned community.

Mr. McNamara's vision for Livonia was a place where residents could move
from starter homes to upscale neighborhoods without leaving the city. He
also helped create a solid industrial and commercial base to keep homeowner
taxes low.

We did not always agree with the way he went about doing things, but it
can't be denied that Ed McNamara got things done.


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