Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.
Clackamas County voters have two key countywide races on the ballot this year. Both races are runoff elections because candidates did not achieve more than 50% of the vote in May.
OPB asked candidates for Clackamas County’s Board of Commissioners the same questions. Candidates were instructed to limit responses to 150 words. Anything beyond that word count was eliminated, even mid-sentence. Responses are otherwise untouched and presented as received. Mark Shull, the incumbent commissioner in this race, did not respond to our questionnaire.
To start, please give us your name and basic biographical details, including your current position or job, any elected offices you have held and any key facts you would like voters to know about you.
Melissa Fireside is a working mom. As a small business owner in Clackamas County and someone who is raising a young child, Melissa understands how policies at the county level impact our quality of life. The fight for quality mental health services and support for families is personal to Melissa. That’s why in addition to her professional work, Melissa has been an active member of our civic community, serving as a member of the Mental Health and Addiction Advisory Council and the County Compensation Board.
Melissa Fireside is running for Clackamas County's board of commissioners
Courtesy of the
What makes you the best candidate to serve on the county commission during this time?
I am committed to bringing prosperity and a competitive edge to Clackamas County. As a working mom with an aging parent in the County, I feel the strain, I know what families are facing. Jobs, housing, and safe communities make Clackamas county a great place to live, but the reality is that type of economic security is out of reach for far too many. We must align around a common goal of housing security, smart and efficient infrastructure investments, bringing family wage and union jobs to Clackamas County, fully funding public health and public safety, and strengthening our social services around mental health. The County is where the rubber hits the road. I’m ready to work with our cities and amazing constituents to bring 21st century solutions to the real issues facing families today. When we lead forward and champion common sense solutions for everyone we will be a more.
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Is the supportive housing services tax doing enough to help the county address homelessness? Why or why not?
We have an amazing workforce in Clackamas County; I am proud to have earned their endorsement. Our workforce has a deep commitment to partnering across all County departments to address homelessness, addiction and mental health as a foundational practice. The opportunity I see with the SHS dollars is expansion in the use of funds and getting the dollars out the door. In addition, there must be robust investment in innovating access to affordable mental healthcare, affordable childcare, and family wage and union jobs as part of service delivery. Prosperity is possible when we look at the needs facing families as a cycle with multiple entry points for solutions and support. Partnering with our cities is also integral around the SHS dollars and our workforce has begun that process; I would advocate for much more collaboration in this area. The most important aspect of the influx in these dollars, is to
Portland’s reputation has taken a considerable hit in recent years. What effect does that have on Clackamas county?
We do not exist in vacuum. A strong Multnomah County makes our Tri-County area stronger and more resilient. We have to communicate, cooperate, and share best practices to elevate solutions with a goal for resolution, not just the standard “Portland is a mess” when comparing outcomes. When I meet with constituents, the needs are universal: safe streets, affordable housing, access to family wage jobs, and real solutions to help those in need of a hand up. Perpetuating negative soundbites, without solutions, about Portland hurts all of us. The bottom line: Portland faces real quality of life challenges and I hope the people engage, elect folks who lead forward and are willing to reinvent the negative policies that have hurt the most vulnerable and negatively impact the business community.
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What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the county and what specific policies or programs would you propose to address it?
Housing affordability and access is the cornerstone of a thriving community. Far too many folks are faced with housing insecurity and as a result a lack of mobility and security in what their future can be. We need programs in Clackamas County like HOLTE, down payment assistance, incentives to keep rents affordable, and we must build to scale market rate and workforce housing; this can be done when we champion building diversified housing types and commit to meeting the housing needs within every unique community. Whether single, retiring, or a family in Clackamas County we must prioritize stability, real common sense solutions, and provide to scale housing that our community desperately needs.
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What’s one thing Oregonians, or Portlanders, get wrong about Clackamas County?
The people who call Clackamas County home are engaged and committed to the County’s vitality. As such, Clackamas County is an amazing place to call home. From our gorgeous rural and mountain areas to our cities like Lake Oswego which I call home, Clackamas County is a place to thrive. Our vibrant business community, amazing public schools, which my child attends, to our dynamic senior communities Clackamas County has something for everyone. Our County is a vital part of the Tri-County area and we contribute greatly to Oregon as a whole.