Update about ClackCo Board and why you need to write in
Recently elected Commissioner Melissa Fireside just resigned (see news article why). This was big news because Melissa’s election was the culmination of years of work by collaborative, inclusive-minded people to get former Commissioner Shull out of office.
The 4 remaining members of the County Board will now choose a new person to be appointed and fill a certain amount of the new term before a re-election (see County webpage on process). At this week’s Board meeting discussion some not great ideas were floated. Also, I’ve heard about a proposal to reinstatement of Mark Shull (yuk). It is important for collaborative, inclusive-minded people to write in about the values we need to prioritize in this important selection. Below is a sample letter, the email address to the Board, and recommended timing.
Let your voice be heard!
Email: bcc@clackamas.us
Timing: Send by March 18
SAMPLE Letter
Dear Chair and Board of County Commissioners,
I know you face an important decision about who to appoint to the open commissioner position. I wanted to reach out to express my options on this decision.
Commissioner Shull cannot return to office.
If he were a less controversial person who worked toward collaboration but was voted out, I could see reinstating him for a short period. But, this is the opposite case. Commissioner Shull consistently built upon divisive social media comments and brought them into the Board room, at times being denounced by Chair Smith. We need to steer clear of putting the County in a continued negative light.
We need a person who fulfills the following:
Represents Democratic party values and will work across party lines.
Although candidates run unaffiliated, Melissa Fireside was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Clackamas County Democratic Party and other Democrat leaning groups. With the previous Chair and Commissioner Shull, Clackamas voters sent a clear message that we want people that work together, not overly antagonistic or divisive.
Experience with homelessness, homeownership, a broken transportation system, and a social safety net that addresses the widening wealth gap, our most pertinent issues.
In addition to these issues, it would be excellent to have someone who has experience with small businesses, agricultural business support, natural resource stewardship, and it would be nice if somebody knew how to improve the courthouse‘s public-private partnership cluster.
Representation that reflects our diversity.
Understanding of the county's diversity and our groups of people and individuals who have been underrepresented in our government offices, programs, or services, so they can be better recognized and supported.
We might not be able to find somebody who meets all these traits, but this is how we should orient our minds toward the decision. We shouldn’t preclude it by setting up barriers for who might be the best candidate.