For Immediate Release

Monday, October 12, 2020

Contact: Kate Gillem kate@theleadershipfund.com

Former Mayor Asks Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins to Return Her County Credit Card and Resign for Excessive Taxpayer Funded Travel Junkets, Meals, Drinks, Parties and Perks.

A website, www.howshespentit.com uncovers Cribbins’ county paid credit card and expense re-imbursement statements and disconcerting emails about her frivolous spending.

Coos Bay, OR Former Lakeside Mayor and retired firefighter Rod Schilling called for Coos County Commissioner and Oregon State Senate candidate, Melissa Cribbins, to return her county paid credit card and resign her county commission position because of newly disclosed Coos County spending reports revealing egregious taxpayer funded spending for lavish trips and perks on the taxpayer’s dime 

The website, www.howshespentit.com reveals Cribbins’ county paid credit card statements and expense reimbursements . Disconcerting emails from Cribbins’ county email account are also available for public review.

“Commissioner Cribbins county credit card statements are so egregious itit’s almost laughable, said Schilling.

“Most people in our county would never have the means to experience the lavish travel and restaurants that Cribbins has enjoyed on our dime 

Details from the recently disclosed taxpayer funded credit card and expense reimbursements show:

·

Cribbins spent over $56,000 on the county credit card in just three years for airfare, hotels, meals, drinks, gifts, transportation, parties and special classes.

Cribbins took lavish trips to Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix, Washington DC, New York and Sun Valley including airfare, inflight Wifi, baggage fees, hotels, Uber rides and restaurants, bars and night clubs.

Cribbins used the county credit card in Las Vegas for $1,624 on night clubs, bars, restaurants and other frivolous activity. Along with published emails that tout “See you in Las Vegas!”

Cribbins used the county credit card at posh Portland bars Sapphire Hotel and Saucebox and charged taxpayers for her Portland hotels and Uber rides to and from the bars.·

County taxpayers have picked up her bill to eat and drink over 410 times

“Cribbins ’spending spree is shameful. Too many families are scraping by here in Coos County to have our elected leaders abuse our county resources for their personal gain, said Schilling. “II’m calling on her to resign and return her county credit card immediately.

Check out the website, www.howshespentit.com

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 

Thursday September 10, 2020 

Contact: Rod Schilling 

Email: sendrodmail@charter.net 

Republican Coos County Chair calls out Melissa Cribbins and Cal Mukumoto for election violation, using government offices to push campaign 

Coos Bay, OR. - Republican Coos County Chair, Rod Schilling, calls out Coos County Commissioner and Democrat candidate in Senate District 5, Melissa Cribbins, for violating ORS 244.040, which prohibits the use of public office to further her political campaign.   

In the middle of catastrophic wildfire sweeping the state and up and down the coast, Cribbins, along with other government officials and Democrat candidate, Cal Mukumoto, cross-promoted a town hall with other government officials, including Senator Arnie Roblan. The town hall was cross promoted on social media accounts from both official and political accounts.   

“Is advancing a political agenda that important to Melissa and Cal that they are using a devastating tragedy to gain influence?” Schilling asked. “Now is the time to focus on working together and building up the communities facing destruction. Instead, it’s plainly clear that Democrats are prioritizing their own political agenda over suffering Oregonians.”    

It would be incumbent upon the people of Coos County to look further into what their government officials are doing in their official capacity. Residents of Coos County need clear and concise information during emergencies, not political theater.  

“In the meantime, we are the watchdogs to hold Democrats accountable for Oregonians and are pursuing a complaint with the Secretary of State.” Schilling ended.