New Clackamas County commissioners dive right into business
Tootie Smith, Mark Shull take seats to tackle reopening plans and wildfire recovery
One new and one familiar face joined the Clackamas Board of County Commissioners in its first meeting of 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 5, to hear updates on several topics and issues facing the county.
County Chair Tootie Smith and Commissioner Mark Shull both elected to the board in 2020 took their official oaths of office in private ceremonies over the holidays and will participate in a ceremonial swearing on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Smith, a political veteran who has served as both a state legislator and Clackamas County commissioner, seemed not to miss a beat in her four-year absence from public service as she dove head first into county business while leading the meeting. Shull chimed in on occasion to offer his view or asking questions to clarify details.
Chair reflects on two decades of public service as he exits Board of County Commissioners
Jim Bernard loved his job. He told Pamplin Media Group on the eve of his exit from the Clackamas Board of County Commissioners that he enjoyed working on behalf of the county s residents 98% of the time.
That s a high rating for any job, and even Bernard himself admits that 2% he found to be not pleasurable was often due to circumstances he brought upon himself. Except for when I made mistakes, like saying something I shouldn t have said, I loved going to work everyday. And I loved working with the people (Clackamas County) has, Bernard said. Their professionalism has just been a pleasure.