On this episode of the Gap, Tammy and Althea discuss Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's recent actions -- and how they've landed. In positive news, Wheeler fired former Portland Police Association union president Brian Hunzeker who was responsible for leaking falsa hit-and-run allegations about Commissioer Jo Ann Hardesty. That's also defying the recommendation of Police Chief Chuck Lovell who recommended a 12 week suspension without pay. Why? Wheeler found that Hunzeker's actions were retaliatory, since he cited Hardesty's remarks on 2020 police protest response as part of his motivation.
Then we talk about his third emergency order on the homelessness crisis, which would centralize the authority and reporting of the decentralized government agencies that interact with unhoused Portlanders. This could be a good idea since Portland government structure is pretty ineffective, but the authority will be all under Wheeler and he doesn't have a great track record with responding to unhoused communities.
Then, we ask our listeners, what is the worst advice you've ever gotten? We hear some cautionary tales!
Thanks for listening!
Related links:
- KBOO