Over the last couple years, we've had the aftermath of the wildfires, the Covid pandemic and devastating ice storms. We got through all three of those difficult situations and are better prepared for any future emergencies that may arise.
County residents were constantly being asked for higher taxes to pay consultants to do work that did nothing to improve the delivery of services. We are now back on the right track again.
Over the years, Clackamas County has been subjected to experiments in regional governance. I’ve had no problem standing up to Metro and demanding that our county residents get what they’re paying for out of that agency.
Tootie Smith was elected in May, 2020 Primary Election as the Clackamas County Commission Chair and assumed office on January, 2021. Tootie knows, cares and fights for you. As a community activist, business owner, 4th generation Oregon farmer, author, past elected official, wife and mother, she brings equal representation and independence to Clackamas County – her home for over 40 years.
“Being taught to avoid talking politics has led to a lack of understanding of politics and religion. What we should have been taught was how to have a civil conversation about a difficult topic. Let’s talk and listen to each other! I want to help people, solve problems and move Clackamas County and Oregon in the right direction with good roads, no new taxes, and health and housing solutions.”
I know you are facing scrutiny from some after changing your position on the transitional housing proposal in Clackamas. I just want you to know...
I know you are facing scrutiny from some after changing your position on the transitional housing proposal in Clackamas. I just want you to know that you are greatly appreciated by MANY and we thank you for saving us and our property values!
I wanted to reach out and thank you for not following through with the purchase of the hotel in Clackamas. Unlike Multnomah County and the...
I wanted to reach out and thank you for not following through with the purchase of the hotel in Clackamas. Unlike Multnomah County and the governor’s office you take the time to listen to your community and business owners. With all of the destruction from riots and lawlessness of others, businesses and communities have suffered. I do believe there is a viable solution, and certainly another hotel in a more appropriate area may offer the right solutions as it pertains to the homeless population. As an Oregon City business owner and citizen I support your efforts and look forward to all the good you bring to the community. God bless!
We have watched and want to acknowledge, ensure appreciation for you, based upon your wonderful service for Clackamas county, and your measured, and wise decisions...
We have watched and want to acknowledge, ensure appreciation for you, based upon your wonderful service for Clackamas county, and your measured, and wise decisions in reaction to ongoing activities for the residence of Clackamas County, and all of us in the surrounding areas. We greatly appreciate and support you!
My wife and I wanted to applaud you for the courageous decision to reverse your vote concerning Project Turnkey. So many of us continually have...
My wife and I wanted to applaud you for the courageous decision to reverse your vote concerning Project Turnkey. So many of us continually have asked why someone became homeless in the first place, before throwing millions of dollars into housing situations that may or may not be successful…and likely not, from what we’ve seen of other efforts. Get to the first and foremost reason they became homeless and deal with that: drug addiction, alcoholism, mental illness are the most common factors we continue to see. And so many, when asked if they would give up homelessness, have said no—they don’t want to follow rules and do their own work to help bring themselves up. It’s a sad state of affairs these days.
I have never written to you before, but I wanted you to know that as a resident of Happy Valley, I support your vote reversal...
I have never written to you before, but I wanted you to know that as a resident of Happy Valley, I support your vote reversal on transitional housing… Again, Tootie Smith, the residents of HV thank you. I actually think you are taking an unnecessary hit by acknowledging the vote reversal; in my opinion it will inevitably and ultimately be shut down because of the lawsuit, which is valid and legitimate. I do hope you survive this; it was the right thing to do. You have gained a lot of supporters.
How have things changed in Clackamas County since you took over as chair of the board of commissioners?
I think the most important thing is that we’ve gotten the county’s budget back on track. As a lifelong county resident, I was appalled a few years ago when I saw how top-heavy and wasteful the budget had become. People kept telling me how concerned they were that their property taxes were being raised without services getting any better. I’m glad that we’ve managed to keep essential services funded without further burdening the people of this county with higher taxes.
Will county residents end up being charged tolls for driving on existing roads?
Not if I can help it. I am absolutely opposed to this idea of people paying to continue taking the same roads they’ve always driven to get to their jobs. ODOT needs to use their own fairness and equity standards in not tolling all lanes at the same time, and not toll I-205 before I-5. That is wrong and will kill all businesses along the I-205 corridor. This plan will also divert traffic to county and city roads not built to handle the volume. The plan is a mess!
Why are county residents still being charged a vehicle registration fee?
I raised this issue before my fellow commissioners in the hopes that they would agree to repeal the fee to voters. At the very least, I was hoping they would let voters decide on the issue, but a majority of the board wanted to maintain the status quo and keep the fee in place. I was very disappointed. I lost that vote 3-2.
Are there going to be efforts made to de-fund the police in Clackamas County?
No. A radical organization called Reimagine Oregon claimed to be working with the county to de-fund its sheriff’s office. When I found out about this, not only did I stop it in its tracks, I made a motion to end association with this Portland far-leftish group. My board voted 3-1-1 with me.
How have you been holding Metro accountable as chair of the board of county commissioners?
I discovered that Metro was overcharging residents for some of the services it was supposed to be providing them and lead the efforts to make that agency accountable for it.
How have you stood up for county employees?
During the COVID pandemic, many of our brave frontline employees were threatened with termination by the State because they tried to exercise their medical freedom. Even though the unions representing those employees actively campaigned against me when I ran for commissioner, I had to do what was right and defended their right to maintain bodily autonomy. I offered up religious exemptions for vaccines for all county employees. And I would happily do the same thing all over again if I had to. Today, I still do not know who has been vaccinated or who has taken the religious exemption as that is private information. No county employee lost their job under my watch.
What is the county doing to address homeless issues?
The county will also be receiving $2 million in state funds for shelter services and infrastructure, hygiene, and homeless outreach. Metro’s SHS measure passed by voters will give Clackamas County $24 million in wrap-around services to get people off the streets and into jobs. We are also removing abandoned RVs from county roads and protecting our north border with Portland with enhanced Sheriff patrols and arrests.