'It's been an honor': Multnomah County thanks Commissioner Meieran as her term concludes

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and other county employees thanked Commissioner Sharon Meieran for her eight years of public service at Tuesday’s board briefing, as her term comes to an end.

Meieran’s role as District 1 commissioner ends on Jan. 6 as she is termed out of office. Newcomer Meghan Moyer will replace Meieran after defeating Vadim Mozyrsky in the 2024 general election runoff for the District 1 seat.

District 3 Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards said during Tuesday’s tearful goodbye that Meieran made the county better and that she inspired her to run for office two years ago.

“I had 30 years of national and local policy-making experience that I brought to the county, but I had so much to learn when I joined the commission,” Brim-Edwards said. “I learned so much from you.”

District 4 Commissioner Lori Stegmann read a thoughtful letter to Meieran from Multnomah County Consumer Engagement Coordinator Deandre Kenyanjui, which drew applause from those in attendance.

“You are more than just an elected official, you are a humanitarian,” Kenyanjui said in the letter. “Your curiosity leads to better systems and better health for all we serve. You lead with your heart, and sometimes people misinterpret your passion. I think people forget that this is more than statistics. Those numbers on paper are real people in real need of a better continuum of care, and you truly understand that.”

Debates between Meieran and Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, who defeated Meieran in the race for Multnomah County Commission chair in the 2022 general election, were notably contentious during their shared time on the board. Despite their disagreements, Pederson praised Meieran for her service at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I think more than anything, my biggest takeaway for my time serving alongside you over the last eight years is just how much you genuinely care about the people who live in Multnomah County,” Pederson said. “... I have [especially] admired the way you focused your energy on those people who are the most vulnerable.”

Meieran became choked up when expressing her gratitude for the kind words said during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I’m going to miss you guys,” Meieran said. “Thank you so much for those comments. They mean so much to me and they will always be in my heart."

Meieran said that it feels like yesterday that she and her peers were elected to the board.

“We’ve been through so much, including racial reckonings and global pandemics and homelessness that is so profound and has harmed so many people,” Meieran said. “... It’s just been so many steps along this path.”

To conclude the meeting, Meieran gave her own thanks to her coworkers at Multnomah County and to the citizens that she served.

“It’s been an honor serving alongside you all,” she said. “.. Thank you for the privilege of serving this county for eight years, it’s been incredible.”