A simple drive on the freeway through Portland and the sight of all its homeless camps confirms what many have suspected for a long time—the tendency in this state towards the legalization of drugs has come with tremendous consequences for...
13 November 2020
A Thanksgiving Reboot
By Tootie Smith Growing up on a generational farm in south Clackamas County, our Thanksgivings were filled with food, family and football. My mother was a cook extraordinaire. Our small flock of relatives traveled to our farmhouse not so much...
21 May 2020
My Vision for Clackamas County and Its Future
The last few weeks that I’ve spent campaigning in person and online have given me the chance to think about what kind of future I would like to see for Clackamas County and its residents. It’s important for leaders to...
20 May 2020
Tootie Smith takes Clackamas County Chair
MOLLALA, Ore. – Tootie Smith, former Clackamas County Commissioner, state legislator, and government accountability advocate, won Tuesday night’s Clackamas County Chair race against Jim Bernard. She released the following statement: “Thank you to the people of Clackamas County for their...
19 May 2020
Enough is Enough
Every election is about choices, and the upcoming May 19 primary voters will never see a bigger contrast in two candidates. Citizens decide every two or four years if they’re happy with their political leadership. If are, they stay the...
14 May 2020
My Closing Arguments
The May 19 primary election is just around the corner. Voter pamphlet statements have gone out, and people have received their ballots. Many have even turned them in by now. Yard signs are up, and so are field signs. Campaign...
12 May 2020
Public Service Should Be a Sacrifice
I still fondly remember the two terms that I served in the Oregon Legislature. Because I was on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, each legislative session meant getting to the capitol early each morning and staying well into the...
8 May 2020
Tootie Smith’s plan to Re-Open Clackamas County
Summary of a Draft to Re-Open Clackamas County Combatting CoVid-19 By Tootie Smith May 7, 2020 Download PDF of full report here Combatting CoVid-19 in its tracks and returning society to normal is as important as caring for the people...
7 May 2020
The Relationship Between Business and Government
The coronavirus and the resulting shutdown continue to have devastating consequences for businesses and workers alike. An economy that had been growing at a healthy pace has literally come to a halt as storefronts remain shuttered worldwide. Job creators are...
5 May 2020
A Higher Standard
Public officials are held to high standards, and for good reason—their roles involve being stewards of taxpayer dollars. That’s why it’s important that people holding elected office strive to be honest and ethical. One of the main reasons I’m running...
