One of her board colleagues criticized Commissioner Melissa Firesides for not physically attending Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, while two others warned against making snap decisions and one failed to explicitly address Fireside’s legal issues.
Both Fireside’s leather seat at the dais and the area where her name plate would have been were vacant during the meeting.
Fireside attended the meeting for the second time after taking the oath of office over the phone last week. According to a county spokesperson, she provided no reason and told county officials ahead of time that she would not be present in person.
At the time of the meeting, Fireside’s official schedule, which was given to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to a request for public documents, indicated no other commitments.
She was present at the board’s initial meeting on Tuesday, which did not involve public comment, in contrast to Thursday’s.
Since The Oregonian/OregonLive revealed in November that Lake Oswego police had searched Fireside’s home prior to the election, she has been under fire. According to her attorney, the probe is related to claims of theft.
Fireside, 43, is not facing any criminal charges. The Oregon Department of Justice is reviewing the police investigation.
The search was conducted before to the election. Last year, Fireside defeated conservative and one-term incumbent Mark Shull to win the seat, which pays $131,213 a year.
Since gaining office, Fireside has not made many public statements. She participated in roll call and votes on standard items during Thursday’s meeting.
Holding placards that read, “Who knew what & when?” and “Transparency = trust,” a number of citizens expressed disapproval of Fireside’s election in light of the pending criminal investigation.
According to Oregon City resident Les Poole, “the silence, the shutting down of her media presence, and the lack of her attendance today are indications that someone is not up to this job in a way, because this job sometimes brings some really big crisis and I don’t think she’s ready for it.”
Fireside, who convened the meeting, stated in her brief remarks that she is excited about the work that lies ahead.
Commissioner Ben West, who had already indicated that he would not go to a board retreat because of Fireside’s possible legal problems, criticized his colleague sharply, stating that “showing up is a big part of this job.”
He brought up Fireside’s lack of an internet presence, pointing out that their campaign website is unavailable. Only more will be added to her biography, according to her page on the Clackamas County government website.
“As a commissioner, you still have to report to work at Clackamas County, even though it’s difficult and uncomfortable,” he said. I kindly request that you join us on the dais and take part in the business we are conducting, Miss Fireside.
Other commissioners discussed the board’s tumultuous political environment.
Chair Craig Roberts, a former sheriff, stated, “As a former homicide detective who worked on a variety of cases, I can just tell you that you have to look at these things with an open mind and I know that’s difficult, but I would just encourage us to let the system play out.”
Commissioner Martha Schrader likened Fireside’s difficult beginning to that of her predecessor, Shull. Shull’s xenophobic remarks on Islam, Muslims, transgender people, and the Black Lives Matter movement—which he saw as a pawn for the emergence of neo-Marxism—drew harsh criticism.
Shull eventually established himself as a commissioner, according to Schrader.
“I thought he was very hardworking,” she remarked. He struck me as rational and intelligent. As 2025 approaches, I would like to advise everyone to refrain from passing judgment on others. Make an effort to comprehend their narratives and stories.
The questions circulating around Fireside were not immediately addressed by Commissioner Paul Savas.
Criminal justice is the area of expertise for enterprise reporter Noelle Crombie. You can reach her at [email protected] or 503-276-7184.
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