PORTLAND DRIZZLE

🥃Thursday could be worse-day hits 77 and sunny, so enjoy it while it lasts. Today: Home Forward's “embattled” CEO is out, Waymo cars are literally learning Portland's streets, and high school poets take the Schnitz stage tonight. Sorry to report that the Blazers have been eliminated by San Antonio Spurs 4-1.

The CEO of Home Forward, Ivory Mathews, resigned Wednesday effective May 1 — the end of a weeks-long pressure campaign sparked by Willamette Week reporting that she had spent more than $100,000 in taxpayer money on travel over three years, even as the agency left nearly 1,000 units vacant and slid toward financial distress. Michael Buonocore, former Home Forward director and current interim head of the Portland Housing Bureau, will step in as interim director, his third stint atop one of these two agencies. One resignation may not be enough: the union representing 205 Home Forward employees says leadership failures go beyond any single person, and a county commissioner and city councilor are now calling on the full board to step down. Board chair Matthew Gebhardt, who repeatedly defended Mathews, issued a brief thank-you and said nothing else. Matthews is getting a $172K severance plus $50K to help her find a new job. Willamette Week

That old boat or trailer sitting on your property? It’s not going anywhere on its own—and most junk services won’t touch it.

That’s where Jr Junk Services stands out. Family-owned in Portland, this is the team people call for the jobs others avoid—especially boat and trailer removal. I used Jr’s Junk Services recently, and Jose was great to work with. He showed up on time and made everything so easy for me. If you need something big gone without the stress, this is the move.

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As of Tuesday, Waymo drivers are manually piloting Google-parent Alphabet's robotaxis through Portland's streets — bridges, corridors, the whole deal — mapping the city ahead of an eventual driverless launch. Mayor Keith Wilson put out a statement welcoming the company. Several city councilors did not. Councilor Mitch Green opened with "Ew, like, who asked for this?" before pivoting to policy concerns about labor impacts and safety. Council President Jaime Dunphy noted Portland is "a long ways" from autonomous vehicles actually operating here — Waymo still needs a city permit, and PBOT is still updating the rules. For now, the only thing getting a free ride is the car's navigation system. OPB

Portland's $35-per-adult annual arts tax may be getting a makeover. A new proposal would raise the flat fee while exempting more lower-income residents from paying it — shrinking the payer pool even as the per-person amount goes up. The tax, which funds arts education in public schools and support for local arts nonprofits, has been a source of grumbling since voters approved it in 2012. Critics have long complained it hits lower-income Portlanders disproportionately, since everyone below a certain income threshold already skips it, but the flat rate stings people in the middle. No vote has been scheduled yet. The proposal is in early stages, which in Portland city government means it could become law next month or disappear entirely. OPB

Meet Sassy — a 3-year-old, 37-pound yellow Lab mix currently in foster care. She's a country dog navigating city life, still learning the leash, and a little shy at first. Give her treats and patience and she'll repay you in unreasonable amounts of affection. Available at Oregon Humane for $400. Appointment required to meet her. MORE

April 30, 1946: Portland-born animator Bill Plympton enters the world. He'd later hand-draw an entire feature film himself and animate eight Simpsons couch gags — the most of any guest.

Portland Trail Blazers- we are proud of you. Ivory Matthews- go take a lap.

by Michael Simpson Contact: [email protected]