Jackson Free Press

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City Council voted 2-3-1 to reject Todd Chandler as chief of the Jackson Fire Department Monday afternoon at the conclusion of a contentious confirmation hearing. Chandler served more than 21 months as interim chief, and Mayor Frank Melton twice placed his confirmation on City Council's agenda and then withdrew it when it became clear the council would not confirm Chandler.

Councilmen Charles Tillman and Frank Bluntson voted to confirm Chandler, while council members Ben Allen, Leslie McLemore and Margaret Barrett-Simon voted against. Councilman Marshand Crisler abstained, and Kenneth Stokes was absent.

Council members raised a host of concerns about Chandler's performance before the vote, including shortages in staff and budget deficits caused by overtime. Last week, Department of Administration Director Rick Hill told City Council that the fire department would likely go $1.1 million over budget in overtime.

On Monday, Chandler called that claim "a lie."

"That information reported to a newspaper was a misinterpretation or misunderstanding that was presented to you. This was not prepared by me or the fire department," Chandler said.

Melton, who sat beside Chandler throughout the hearing, vowed to "investigate" the source of the nefarious number.

"I want to know where you got the information," Melton said. "I wasn't privy to it. I don't read the newspaper so I didn't see. … Somebody gave you the wrong information. This must be cleared up. You all have to be given accurate information. And we have a million dollar discrepancy here."

Barrett-Simon reminded the mayor that it was his own department head who had provided that information to council just last week.

"As far as the press advocating this, I don't know if the press had a copy of this before we did. I know I gave a copy to the press, not the other way around," Barrett-Simon said.

Unshaken by the revelation that the information had come from his own administration, Melton called on Hill, who said he was revising his estimate downward by $400,000.

"… We went back and looked at the numbers," Hill said. "We thought we had the best numbers, but when we came back, we worked with the chief, worked with his staff, and we feel like we probably over-projected that number."

Barrett-Simon regarded the new figures as dubious. "I find the figures given to us now as hard to believe. There's no reason not to trust the numbers that we were given to us last week … and I guess the council, through the revision process, will have to figure out what's real and what is not," Barrett-Simon said.

Melton said it was disrespectful to take his department heads' word on budget numbers without first clearing it with him. "It would have been very appropriate for you all to have asked me to get you this information," Melton said.

"With all due respect, Mayor, your people represent you," Barrett-Simon said.

Melton was adamant that not coming to him was disrespectful, and he took Barrett-Simon to task for not recognizing that last week's numbers were "just a prediction."

"I've asked you all to bring your information to me, to let me make sure that information is correct," Melton said. "You're not from the business world, so this is what you don't understand. … Rick Hill was making a prediction based on (early information.) Now we've made the necessary adjustments, what part of that you don't understand I can't help you with, but you're not going to sit there and say we're giving you inaccurate information. … So if you would be respectful and say, 'Frank, we need this information,' I'll double check it and make sure it's accurate. But you're not going to sit there and continue to take potshots at me."

Allen, who chaired the meeting, cut the mayor off and said he was "out of line."

Barrett-Simon agreed. "Yes, you are really out of line, and as a council member I must assume that the figures getting to us through the mayor's office are accurate. If we can't assume that then we have a different problem."

Several council members called Chandler to task regarding his short-staffed command personnel. Chandler said he needed at least 10 command staff members in addition to himself, but he was settling for four to keep four firefighters going out on every fire truck.

"Having just those four members concerns me. That's not even 50 percent of the staff you need. ... Most of the time, half is not acceptable," Crisler said. "You don't have even that much. Because of my (military) background I'm struggling to figure that out. I can't see you leading such a super-dynamic department like the JFD without half of your command staff. I don't see how you can do it."

When asked about general staff shortages, Chandler told council members that the hiring process at the fire department is choked with red tape due to a long-standing consent decree the department has with the Department of Justice for past race discrimination in hiring and promotion.

"It takes over a year to hire any qualified applicants because of the lengthy process. … Applicants are given the (Civilian Personnel Advisory Center test). Then they get the medicals. If they pass, they start training. As soon as city personnel tells us to start training we take it from there and get them on the fire department," Chandler said, adding that he wanted to graduate at least two training classes back-to-back to fill the 44-man deficit in the department.

Councilman Leslie McLemore questioned why Chandler could not get the process moving faster. "Have you ever gotten into a room with all the principals responsible for helping pull the recruit class together?" McLemore asked.

Chandler explained that the city's personnel office handles much of the hiring. "There are individuals … in the U.S. Justice Department, (who) make sure that we do everything required in the process. We schedule for CPAC, and schedule for medical exams, and those two steps are in the personnel office. … Once that's been done, personnel will notify (applicants) through the mail."

McLemore insisted that the buck stops with the chief, however. "They won't say legal or personnel did it," McLemore argued. "They'll say you the chief did not bring them all together. … I think you can say something to your colleagues in legal or your colleges in personnel … because somebody is not being fair to you."

"I can look you straight in the face and say I'm doing everything as anyone in my shoes could have done," Chandler said.

"Chief, someone is setting you up for failure. … Chief, if I were in your position, I would raise holy hell. I would be raising hell every time I could raise hell, because you deserve that," McLemore said

Dissent within the fire department clearly contributed to council's skepticism toward Chandler. Council members say they have received a heavy volume of phone calls questioning Chandler's ability as chief throughout his 19-month tenure.

Melton acknowledged at the confirmation that the fire department had a long history of infighting, and that, regardless of whether Chandler was confirmed, he planned to fire those responsible for "spreading rumors."

"I'm here to put an end to this, and if I have to send them home then I'm going to do that because I'm not going to have any dissention in the fire department or the police department or anywhere else, because it takes away from the quality of services," Melton said. The mayor vowed to "do it legally" this time, probably in reference to five firefighters who were suspended for speaking to the media in 2006 but who were reinstated when city legal told the mayor that the firefighters would likely prevail in a civil suit.

"All this obstruction out there—we're looking into that right not and I'm going to dismiss the people who are creating this havoc," Melton said. "I'll tell you that up front."

Following Chandler's rejection, the mayor issued a press release thanking him for his service and vowing that he would continue as interim fire chief until another Melton finds another candidate. Materials attached to the press release predicted a 90-day process.

Crisler and McLemore said that Chandler can no longer serve as chief now that council has rejected him, and they are considering denying him his chief's salary. "I have no problem paying him his firefighter's wages, but he's no longer chief," Crisler said.

Allen said City Council will address that issue at next Monday's work session.

This story has been corrected and updated since it was first posted.

Previous Comments

ID

67615

Comment

Voting against Chandler's confirmation is a no-brainer. This guy has two years under his belt, yet, nothing has been done under his leadership that proves him a successful leader for such an important entity. I can't believe that we can not hire a competent Fire Chief. frank was so busy getting rid of competent people that he fired McNulty and without the descency of proper notification. McNulty found out about frank's termination of him while watching the evening news. McNulty had some speech problems; however, he was a decorated firefighter and came with more expericence than anyother Chief in the history of Jackson's organized fire fighting system. This was too good for melton. He needed more people around him with unsuccessful histories that would match his management plan for the City of Jackson

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-09T11:53:55-06:00

ID

67616

Comment

its all about this

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-09T11:57:53-06:00

ID

67617

Comment

It is hard to believe he would be confirmed. That if, unless Melton has made Councilman Allen some more promises that he won't keep.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-09T11:58:53-06:00

ID

67618

Comment

Well, I guess we will have to see if bringing Speed into Planning and announcing that development by the TX billionaire appeased Councilman Allen enough to have him *consider* Melton back on track? We got a few legislative victories that Ben favored to help with the City. So, you never know? I'm sure a lot of folks up there in City Hall are going to talk a different game if (once) Melton is found not-guilty. They'll be some serious cock-struttin' going on! I think the Judge and/or Danks is going to ask for a delay. Then Melton's team can see what happens to Recio and Wright or hopefully drag it out into his third year.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-09T12:30:12-06:00

ID

67619

Comment

If Speed is allowed to run the department and is left alone, I think he can be a plus for the city. There is that if.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-09T12:38:49-06:00

ID

67620

Comment

We are momentarily tripped up by a server problem, but the council voted 2-3-1 to deny Chandler's confirmation. Yeas: Charles Tillman, Frank Bluntson Neas: Ben Allen, Margaret Barrett-Simon, Leslie McLemore Abstention: Marshand Crisler Absent: Kenneth Stokes We'll have many more details for you as soon as possible.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-09T15:53:59-06:00

ID

67621

Comment

Thank goodness Stokes is too preoccupied to show up for meetings other than Tuesday Council meetings.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-04-09T16:12:23-06:00

ID

67622

Comment

I just saw the news and wondered, did anyone else see the 'show' Melton put on....once again? As Chandler left the City Hall, Melton stormed out the door and hollered....that's right, I said 'hollered' I figure if we are going to act 'country' I'll speak it as well even if it is in written format...anyhow, pointing his (Meltons) finger toward Chandler saying, "You go back over there and run that Fire Dept. like you have been, I'll see about getting this straightened out." Hello - what exactly is Melton going to 'get straightened out?" Chandler has made a complete mockery of the Fire Dept, ensuring that we have lost numerous, well-qualified, senior officers who have either resigned prior to their intended plan OR left and took their knowledge to other departments. Chandler has been controversial, since day one, and does not have the administrative background to assist him in putting his feet firmly on the ground in effort to turn this fiasco back into the appearance of a capitol city fire department. Also...did you also 'hear' following Chandler leaving and Melton 'hollering' from the steps of city hall that the announcement was made that the city will be actively searching to recruit a new, full time fire chief? Clearly we could have saved the city as well as Chandler the drama and embarressment that has been suffered by Melton's 'choices' if that had been done from the get-go. Or better yet, we should have kept the last Fire Chief who I don't recall being even remotely this controversial and apparently was actually doing his job - specifically because we rarely heard anything negative about the fire dept.

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-04-09T17:16:12-06:00

ID

67623

Comment

Yep, sounds like he threw one of his trailer-park tantrums again.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-09T17:21:06-06:00

ID

67624

Comment

How are you going to find a reputable fire chief when the mayor is currently under felony charges? I mean, say you are hot shot assistant fire chief in Tulsa.....would YOU come to work in Jackson?

Author

GLewis

Date

2007-04-09T17:23:46-06:00

ID

67625

Comment

Why'd Chrisler abstain? He turning into a Frankie-Follower?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-04-09T19:33:10-06:00

ID

67626

Comment

Ironhost, I've been putting my ear to the ground and trying to discover his reasoning as well. Thus far I have been advised that it was a manouver to ensure that Chandler did NOT get confirmed. I am unsure as to the specific's of it at this time, apparently I haven't dug deep enough or asked the right question yet! But clearly - it was NOT Chrisler turning over into the Melton Meltdown side show. Some how, from my understanding, it didn't matter which way Chrisler would have voted (although he has stated in public numerous times that Chandler would NOT get his confirmation vote) there could have been a problem. Don't know any specific's, maybe Brian or Ladd can 'bend an ear' as they have many more contacts than I, where we can reach a full understanding. But 'clearing it up' Chrisler did what he NEEDED to do, and it was to ensure that Chandler did NOT receive confirmation! I am so proud of MOST of the city council, excluding the Melton Meltdown Midgets that are still hanging on to his coat tail while trying to perpetrate as doing the business of their community. It is time that the capitol city has a REAL fire chief again, one that our firefighters respect!

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-04-09T20:05:50-06:00

ID

67627

Comment

GLewis - I completely concur. It will be very difficult for our city to find a qualified person to come into the mess that would be standing before him/her. The easiest way to find someone would be if Melton is convicted of at least one of the felonies of which he is charged currently. At least then we would be able to offer to anyone willing to take on the mess the luxury of not havng Melton micro-managing. However, it is going to be difficult for ANYONE, no matter how qualified to lead the dept. to come in after this long. I sincerely feel sorry for whom ever is hired. He/She will have a long road to climb and will be under constant surveillance. As well, a new chief would be coming into a dept. that apparently has very low morale already, and when you add an outsider to the mix, it could very well be a daunting task that will have to be faced. I cannot say what type of person(s) remain on the fire dept., as to whether they would be qualified to lead the dept., but you do have to wonder if at this point it would not be best for the morale if the new chief at least had some ties to the community. I guess we will all sit back and wait.........and watch. I know for certain from past experience that Melton will surely be 'slashing' city council for not getting in line behind him....once again!

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-04-09T20:15:16-06:00

ID

67628

Comment

Hahahaa.... Yeah, I saw him 'holler' at Chandler telling him to go run the FD. Hasn't he been trying to do that for 18 months now??? Jeez... So what now? Does he get to stay on until "Melton can pick someone else?" Oh, I know... He's going to try a re-confirmation of Chandler and wait ANOTHER 18 months to bring it up for a vote!!! Melton has brought so much poison and venom with him to Jackson, that I would personally like to see ALL of his confirmations be rejected, all across the board. Jackson needs people that aren't going to be Melton's "Best-Friends-Forever." I'm still waiting on his drug/alcohol testing...

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-09T21:21:17-06:00

ID

67629

Comment

Good news. I'm glad they stuck together. Looks like Frank made another as$ of himself. I would think if somehow Chandler is able to be brought back up, then Crisler would then vote him down to counteract Stokes. I'm sure Stokes is getting a once over for not showing up from the Melton team.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-09T21:48:24-06:00

ID

67630

Comment

The council or someone will have to sue Melton to get Chandler out of there. Melton is going to let Chandler sit there until he is forced out by legal action.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T06:20:15-06:00

ID

67631

Comment

Update....I received a call last night from someone who 'hears' many things that probably should NOT be heard! RUMOR is that the council has contacted an attorney for legal 'advice' regarding Chandler being back at the FD and still (gag/choke) running the dept. while Frank "gets things straight". Legally, if you are NOT confirmed in a position of authority you are immediately removed from that position and another person is temporarily placed in the position - especially when doing an all-out nationwide search (per Melton) for a permenant fire chief. This is due in part to the possibility that a person not confirmed could essentially cause much havoc (not saying Chandler would do that) just the reasoning behind not allowing an unconfirmed person to return to the same position. A better word might be, the possibility of sabatoge. I understand from a firefighter I spoke with recently that Chandler does not have the required number of years to actually retire, so I would assume that the mayor is allowing him to remain in the position in hopes of locating another position for him in another area of government!? I cannot see Chandler returning to working on a fire truck after serving on command staff and fire chief. That would be a total kick in the teeth. I have never been a fan of Chandler's simply because I don't believe bringing someone from out in the field and placing them in command will or did lead to being a good thing, however, as a person, I am sure he is a very nice man and I hate to see someone thrown to the wolves such as he was by Melton and then having to return to working a truck unit simply because he can't retire yet. Melton owes him at least to assist in locating him a position where he can finish up his last few years in service without throwing him back out into the wolf pack.

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-04-10T07:54:53-06:00

ID

67632

Comment

I'd say that is probably what they have to do as Sister Sara is not going to help them at all on this issue.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T07:57:13-06:00

ID

67633

Comment

I just posted a much, much more detailed version of this story. If you want to see a real "tantrum," see the mayor's speech that was cut off by Council President Ben Allen.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-10T08:31:45-06:00

ID

67634

Comment

I would like to say that in my opinion by the presentation that Chandler he should have been confirmed. The council members had there mind made up prior to wasting everyones time on how they were going to vote. The only good thing about it is that Chandler exposed the truth of it all. If they were going to confirm on the questions asked the he would have been confirmed hands down. Besides I even hope that Tony Davis is back in the running. I dont believe there is anything that would prohibit that from happening.

Author

jfdfireman

Date

2007-04-10T08:41:18-06:00

ID

67635

Comment

Katie D. We all have our opinions but myself as well as many other firefighters have seen to many Chief's put into place that came from day work and have little or no combat experience. These day workers in the past adminstrations were put in to positions that require no testing to gain rank and are simply political moves. We in combat have to compete for rank and work for what we get. These day workers might have to go to a 1 week course and they are qualified for the next rank. Where is the fairness. If I am correct Chandler has more college than any of our last three Chef's, There is even one chief that was Fire Marshall for several years and it was said that he could'nt even pass the exam required to hold that job. He might have passed it after many tries not sure. This is totally political. Crisler wants to have one of his friends, Ben Allen want's to have Leland Speeds secretary's husband to be named Fire Chief. This particular person has been in the field since Chandler was named Chief bashing Chandler because of pure jealousy. It's a no win for everybody. At this point it's to late to continue but I could from start to now fill you in on alot of things since days prior to Melton being elected. Once again all I can say it Politics is at it's best.

Author

jfdfireman

Date

2007-04-10T08:56:20-06:00

ID

67636

Comment

Am I the only one noticing that Mr. Melton loves to verbally attack women? Why is he so focused on Barrett-Simon?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T09:42:58-06:00

ID

67637

Comment

Right, he's just going to fire firefighters and police officers who dissent. Right. What a disaster of a man.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T09:48:31-06:00

ID

67638

Comment

FM is the last person to talk about dissention and quality of service. He has done nothing in this city but promote dissention and for sure not provide the citizens with any type of quality of service. He is a constant embarrassment to us. As for Crisler abstaining, that made no statement or sense and for sure shows no guts. Abstaining to me says you're straddling the fence. If he wants to be the "rising" star he needs to get some guts and take firm stands on issues. You can't "punk" out.

Author

maad

Date

2007-04-10T09:54:03-06:00

ID

67639

Comment

or he wants to run for mayor and maybe didn't want to make the union mad. just thinking out loud here.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T10:03:19-06:00

ID

67640

Comment

Well if he wants to run for mayor he better start getting use to making people mad. Tough decisions are part of the job.

Author

maad

Date

2007-04-10T10:11:39-06:00

ID

67641

Comment

I just added an update that I'll post here as well: Crisler and McLemore said that Chandler can no longer serve as chief now that council has rejected him, and they are considering denying him his director's salary. "I have no problem paying him his firefighter's wages, but he's no longer chief," Crisler said. Allen said council will address that issue at next Monday's work session.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-10T10:24:21-06:00

ID

67642

Comment

damn. I might have to go watch that show. Talk about some fireworks. Do they allow beer?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T10:27:37-06:00

ID

67643

Comment

Well, he clearly should not continue as acting chief. Not another day. The department is a mess, and he has been there almost two years without confirmation already. It is not responsible to allow him to continue as acting chief. People's lives are at stake if we don't get this department back together again. Same goes for the PD.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T10:38:05-06:00

ID

67644

Comment

Crisler told Goliath that he abstained because he helped with the selection process. Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler abstained because he said during Melton's first weeks in office he had assisted the mayor in interviewing candidates for the fire chief's job and Melton had asked him then to not vote.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-10T10:40:55-06:00

ID

67645

Comment

As for what JFDfireman wrote, I was at that meeting, and I disagree that Chandler would have been confirmed were it not for some bias on the part of council members. They raised a number of legitimate concerns, among them: Chandler's failure to fill command positions, his failure (and attempts to pass the buck) to move through classes of recruits, his partisan history and failure to heal divisions within the department, his lack of administrative training, etc. You may disagree with those reasons, but there sure were a lot of them. As for the suggestion that Anthony Davis should be fire chief, I am going to drop to my knees as soon as I'm done posting this and pray that Melton is not that foolish. Davis is even more partisan than was Chandler. He also was directly responsible for suspending the five firefighters this summer, who were punished for speaking to the media about safety concerns. Making Davis interim chief would be like pouring gasoline on the fire, and I strongly suspect that he has not a snowball's chance in hell of being confirmed by council.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-10T10:46:59-06:00

ID

67646

Comment

Would you like to hear a simple truth? Bluntson and Stokes are not worth TWO DEAD FLIES. Mr. Tillman is in the twilight zone and someone needs to gently walk him out of City Hall. He is being lead be the unkind, evil, and treacherous behaviors of Bluntson and Stokes who take their lead directly from melton. Chrisler reported to the CL that he promised frank he would not vote since he assisted him initially in intervewing some applicant's for FC. The excuse is definitely thin; however, this is what was offered. Stokes is good at playing the "ABSENT" game. He knows that some of his constituents are on his butt and you will probably see a slightly different Stokes leading up to his re-election. He plays his Ward like a fiddle and any song he sings can win. Yes, some people are still that gullible and having him show up in their homes to eat potatoe pies and cake, blinds the real issues here. frank said early in his administration that he knows nothing about accounting and budgets. He said, "This is boreng" and promised citizens that he would be out "getting rid of crime." The City of Jackson, during previous administrations, had both an intenal and external audit. What is the deal now that we are getting a report from ONE department that is termed "WRONG" by the mayor? This circus must end, sooner than later!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-10T10:56:57-06:00

ID

67647

Comment

Amen Brian........amen!

Author

Katie D

Date

2007-04-10T10:59:28-06:00

ID

67648

Comment

Considering the tone of Crisler's remarks yesterday, I take him at his word that he would have voted 'no' on confirmation had it become necessary.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-10T11:03:01-06:00

ID

67649

Comment

Would you like to hear a simple truth? Bluntson and Stokes are not worth TWO DEAD FLIES. Wow, I didn't know anyone else said "two dead flies" besides my family. Of course, we say the occasional "two dead flies in a wet boot". LOL

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-10T12:29:44-06:00

ID

67650

Comment

Ladd, Melton attacks women because he is a coward. He doesn't know how to accept people that disagree with him. He needs some sort of professionalism/leadership/how-to-be-a-gentleman class.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-04-10T14:00:16-06:00

ID

67651

Comment

This city has one too many incompetent leaders. I am proud that the council stood their ground on this issue.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-04-10T14:01:33-06:00

ID

67652

Comment

attacks women? BS. He attacks EVERYONE!!!

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T14:05:28-06:00

ID

67653

Comment

This is true. He does. But I don't know of any men that his felon friends have accused of "f*cking" anyone. I don't know of any male judges that his attorneys have accused of a crime in lengthy, nasty court documents. And why did he zero in on Margaret Barrett-Simon so harshly yesterday when Allen, Crisler and McLemore have made even harsher statements about him in public? On that note, he threatened to "cream" a female reporter with The Clarion-Ledger; I don't know of physical threats he's made against any male reporters. Do you?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T14:11:13-06:00

ID

67654

Comment

Oh, and Kingfish-the-gentleman, you know where to put your "B.S."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T14:12:36-06:00

ID

67655

Comment

Yeah, kingfish he attacks women much more pointedly than men from what we can see from the last two years. Ladd lists several points. Word is his own sister in law, Redd, is treated like crap by Melton, and I bet she wishes she was anywhere but Jackson. I sure she likes being the head cheerleader for Lewis, Purvis, Smith, etc... while Rome burns. BTW: The first Michelle "Gonna swerve this Cadillac through..." Purvis signs popped up in the neighborhood. Typically, it is in the yard where the young, school-aged boys like to hang out during school hours. Figures it would be at a house with questionable tenants, questionable cars, and questionable guests at all hours!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-10T14:18:39-06:00

ID

67656

Comment

One wonders why Redd wouldn't just leave then. She has an esteemed career as a sports publicist. Why not leave this zoo and return to it?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T14:25:41-06:00

ID

67657

Comment

Oh, and let's not forget how he treats his police chief. Remember that he didn't even tell her that he was going to bring back Bracey? And he seems to think her main purpose is to tell him that he can do what he wants to do.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T14:26:56-06:00

ID

67658

Comment

I meant he attacks everyone, not that he doesn't treat women worse. Most bullies pick on people they think are weaker or can't fight back.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T14:31:47-06:00

ID

67659

Comment

Oh, and let's not forget how he treats his police chief. She seemed more like his housekeeper than a chief. Remember the time you were over there and she was cleaning up behind him?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-04-10T15:54:11-06:00

ID

67660

Comment

Yeah, of course. He would say, I'm sure, that he didn't ask her to. But someone with any sense of decorum, or respect for a powerful black woman, would have taken that dish rag right on out of her hand. I itched to, but it wasn't my place.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T16:13:27-06:00

ID

67661

Comment

That is why I don't defend her when I'll defend Ms Peterson on that kind of comment. Anderson takes that crap. If she don't respect herself, why should we?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T16:18:44-06:00

ID

67662

Comment

We should respect her because we know that all people deserve respect.

Author

Melishia

Date

2007-04-10T16:38:59-06:00

ID

67663

Comment

I pity her to a point but at some point, you have to have the backbone and say that is it, I resign and get something else.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T16:41:13-06:00

ID

67664

Comment

Yeah, of course. He would say, I'm sure, that he didn't ask her to. But someone with any sense of decorum, or respect for a powerful black woman, would have taken that dish rag right on out of her hand. I itched to, but it wasn't my place. ladd I agree with you here. Kinda weird considering it is your Chief of Police. But, when I read the story Donna wrote the scene came across as a bit to "comfy" considering the arrangements of the two involved. Melton is estranged from his wife in TX while Anderson is single, and was "hanging around" Melton long before the election. Also, you have the Chief of Police in a house at the same time as several young men who were breaking the law in some form while living with Melton. Those facts came later; but someone had to know. Isn't that what those big mouth crime stopping know-it-all's scream from the mountain tops - WHERE ARE THE PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS etc...?

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-10T18:02:31-06:00

ID

67665

Comment

I will say for the record that I do *not* believe that Melton and Anderson are an item. I most decidedly did not get that impression. She just seems like another of the many people who seem unable to say no to him for whatever reason. And, yes, Pike is right: She was there when Walker, et al, were there.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T18:09:04-06:00

ID

67666

Comment

I was gonna do a little more usless blogging but it looks like u guys have gotten way off course

Author

jfdfireman

Date

2007-04-10T20:02:13-06:00

ID

67667

Comment

Well, talk fire, fireman. It's time to bring it back from "Peyton Place" anyhow.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-10T20:08:49-06:00

ID

67668

Comment

way off course? i've seen enough wild posts by firemen on this site, including some outright libel.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-10T20:13:07-06:00

ID

67669

Comment

"...This is true. He does. But I don't know of any men that his felon friends have accused of "f*cking" anyone." Ladd That's because it would be a compliment in the world his 'felon friends' inhabit! Smile.....

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-04-10T20:21:22-06:00

ID

67670

Comment

now that chandler is confirmed it would seem that he no longer may lawfully occupy the position of chief at any time through the end of the mayor's term. if the city continues to pay him the chief's salary the state auditor may later declare the salary payments to have been made without legal authority and seek recovery from chandler or the members of the city council who vote to pay him this salary. chandler should be returned to the job classification he occupied before his provisional appointment to chief,that position being firefighter.alternatively the new chief could appoint him to a lower executive position such as deputy chief.

Author

chimneyville

Date

2007-04-10T21:11:59-06:00

ID

67671

Comment

i should have said NOT confirmed

Author

chimneyville

Date

2007-04-10T21:13:12-06:00

ID

67672

Comment

Chimneyville, Don't hold your breath for the auditor to do anything too political now... He's running for office!

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-11T06:38:54-06:00

ID

67673

Comment

Goliath's poll of the day: "Should Jackson Mayor Frank Melton look for a new fire chief?" That fishwrap must think their readers aren't wrapped too tight around the brain (although there are a few who really aren't). But 42% seem to think he shouldn't. But depending on how you read the question, maybe Frank shouldn't pick the chief. Someone else should, even though I know it's the mayor's responsibility to actually appoint someone.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-04-11T09:26:53-06:00

ID

67674

Comment

I love it when they ask questions like that, the most classic of which had to be: Should Frank Melton obey the law? Thank God such questions are not decided by opinion polls. I was also thinking of Stringfellow's recent column where he said that Melton was "more than capable." No one who sat through that confirmation hearing could have had such delusions. It was stunning to sit there and hear Melton vow to investigate "the leak" that had produced the $1.1 million in fire department overtime. He seemed to have no idea that his own CFO had given that figure to council. His argument that council should have cleared that number with him is asanine beyond my ability to describe. Here's an idea, mayor. Why don't you show up at City Council every once in a while, and then you might have known that it was Rick Hill who gave them that number. There is no other word for Melton's administration of city government but incompetence. Gross incompetence.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-11T09:41:39-06:00

ID

67675

Comment

For real, Brian. How about staggering incompetence? Arrogant incompetence? He comes in there like he's Moses with his own ten commandments! Dang he cannot take any responsibility for something that came from his own office? He's playing the classic game of making much ado about nothing. I REALLY hope he gets convicted and booted out.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-04-11T11:23:26-06:00

ID

67676

Comment

Stringfellow's major flaw is he is too nice and never stands up for any kind of discipline or criticism. He is more scared of offending the person he is writing about than actually being wrong on the subject. Its a common theme throughout his writing over the years.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-11T11:27:17-06:00

ID

67677

Comment

And Donna, I agree with you about Melton hitting harder on women in leadership. Shame on him!

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-04-11T11:27:56-06:00

ID

67678

Comment

Melton has serious female issues. It's probley why his wife won't live in the same state as he does. Everytime he lashes out it's against a female. His tone is so disrespectful.Has anyone tried to get a interview with Mrs. Melton? It really would be nice to hear from our first lady to hear what her vison is for Jackson and does she think he husband is on track. Chandler is what it is just some more little frankie mess.I want to know how the mayors bodyguards can rack up so much overtime on the city payroll.I throught they were sent to the clerical pool.

Author

GRNY1

Date

2007-04-15T19:19:48-06:00