I can confidently say that we have shown, clearly, that ideas matter. While neighboring counties facing the same issues, continue to stumble and experience higher crime, failed business, spikes in violence, increasing division and urban decay... we have chosen our own path, and it has, and it will continue to, work.
There is always more we can do, but I am proud of what we've accomplished in the face of some extremely serious challenges... Covid, Fires, Ice Storms, Financial challenges and Social Unrest to name a few. I am very excited to continue leading Clackamas County on our own unique path of success.
This commission's work was instrumental in the governor's decision to pause tolling and I am fully supporting IP-4, which will ensure no tolls are put into place without a citizens' vote.
The current commission fully supports our police and public safety. We guaranteed funding for every boot-on-the-ground law enforcement officer, expedited the hiring of new officers, a majority of general funds were allocated towards public safety, and we voted for a new county courthouse to ensure every step of our justice system can be done effectively and efficiently.
We decreased the unsheltered homeless population in our county by 45% by focusing on the core issues of homelessness, which are addiction and mental health. Neighboring counties chose to hand out needles, tents and drug paraphernalia to addicts rather than try to help them recover and reenter society. Our recovery-oriented approach guided our three-step plan to fight homelessness and our decision to acquire additional spaces to help provide drug and mental health treatment within the county.
As a commission, public safety is our top priority, and we have not, and will not, follow the destructive policies of neighboring counties that defunded the police and let criminals go unprosecuted. I will continue to ensure the county has the funding, resources, and infrastructure to stop crime and ensure criminals are dealt with.
I have continued to push back against the ongoing abuses and attacks on private and public land use from the regional government (Metro). Their actions have driven up the cost of housing, increased our homelessness and reduced our ability to do what is best for the future of Clackamas County citizens. It is clear that Metro is willing to sacrifice what’s in the best interest of Clackamas County for the other counties it governs.
Clackamas County is one of the safest places to live in Oregon. While neighboring counties continue to witness record crime, homelessness and violence, this commission has chosen a very different path and it's working. In Clackamas County, homelessness, crime, violence is down. We have fully funded police, started work on a new courthouse and improved support for behavioral health, veterans, family and juvenile services.
Our commission implemented a new budget system for all departments in the county so residents get full transparency on how the county spends money. In addition, we ensure every tax dollar is stretched to the max to reap the most benefit for the county.
We have taken action time and time again to stop Portland’s destructive policies from infiltrating our county. On the significant issues of crime, homelessness, drug addiction, land use, and law and order, our commission has come together, taken the time to understand the underlying causes, and created our own plan to solve them for our county.
Commissioner Smith, Thank you for your decision to not move forward on the Hotel on Sunnyside road for the Turnkey project. M.M.
Commissioner Smith,
Thank you for your decision to not move forward on the Hotel on Sunnyside road for the Turnkey project.
M.M.
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!