Tootie Smith: Appoint Shull to vacant Clackamas Board

Appoint Mark Shull to Clackamas County Board of Commissioners
By Tootie Smith
Former Chair Clackamas County Commission

Mark Shull should be appointed to his prior seat at the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners now vacated by Melissa Fireside.

I am in the firm belief had voters known of the charges of elder abuse, forgery and theft, a cumulation of eight forgery charges against Fireside, voters would have rejected her in favor of Shull.

I have served with Mark Shull for four years. During that time, I have found him to be a dedicated hard worker putting constituents ahead of his own needs. A true public servant. He supported the commission on votes where he might not have initially agreed but saw the importance of supporting his colleagues to move forward policy for the greater good of Clackamas County people.
In a few short months, commissioners will be considering the $1.88 billion budget. The county needs a seasoned budget hawk to keep Clackamas in the black while the two larger Oregon counties are in deficit positions.

I also believe that key democrats knew of the charges, including sitting commission Chair Craig Roberts. They are complicit in a coverup and should be held accountable for their own bad behavior. When looking at the abuse of an elderly man, theft and the forgery of one of their own Democrat sitting State Representatives, one would think Democrats would take the high road.

But no. County democrat leaders have consistently tried to vilify Shull over remarks he made on social media as if exercising the right of free speech is somehow equivalent to eight felony charges. The hypocrisy is laughable and absurd.

The fact that Fireside so willingly stole from an elderly man unable to defend himself shows not only the ultimate in sociopathic behavior, but she also did not consider the welfare or future of her own young child who is dependent upon her care and support.

Yet democrats continue in their pursuit to have one of their own unproven partisans appointed to the commission. Just another wash, rinse, repeat cycle in the day and life of extreme power-hungry democrats.

Again, appoint Mark Shull for Clackamas County Commission as the experienced and qualified choice.