Jackson Free Press

The Jackson Fire Department is shaking over a tape that firefighters claim Assistant Chief Todd Chandler helped make back in the 1990s. The video features what Local 87 Union President Capt. Brandon Falcon describes as Chandler ridiculing black recruits. The video allegedly shows Chandler, wearing a jacket with his name on it, speaking in a broken caricature of the black dialect, while a white superior—allegedly retired firefighter Ken Daniels—corrects his melodramatically moronic behavior.

Chandler, his clothes awry, with an oxygen tank hanging incorrectly on his chest instead of his back, makes a mockery of dealing with a fire situation.

"Where da fire, chief?" Chandler exclaims, grabbing up a hose. He then fails to exit a door while carrying the hose, exclaiming that "it don't fit, chief."

The Jackson Fire Department was well on its way to mirroring the demography of the city of Jackson in the 1990s, with a large percentage of new recruits being black. Daniels called into question the intelligence of the new recruits, exclaiming that new computers in the department were going to give the recruits a hard time.

"This is the only thing going to mess up the blacks on the fire department. … Either they got to go, or the computers (will have) to go," Daniels said.

In the video, Daniels explains the role of the Confederate flag for the camera, denying that it represents the days of slavery. Daniels goes on to say that anybody who still believes the Confederate emblem represents slavery is "old" and "senile" and says anyone unappreciative of the flag should forego cotton clothes.

Chandler, who did not return calls for comment, denied any knowledge of making the video to WJTV News Channel 12, though other voices in the video refer to the main character as "Todd."

Incoming union president A.J. Bryant, who is black, said he fully believed Chandler is the man in the video. "Of course, that's Chandler. He's wearing his coat. You can see that mustache on his face, and the man has Chandler's distinctive voice. Yeah, that's him," Bryant said.

Falcon said an unnamed source had placed the video near his mailbox on Sunday. "When I watched that thing, I almost pissed my pants," Falcon told the Jackson Free Press. "We don't need this kind of tension in the department. Firemen have to depend on one another out in the field. I can't tell you the number of times a black guy has helped me out of a fire and kept me from being injured, and we all need to know that we can depend on one another."

Chandler should be removed from his role as assistant chief, Falcon said, adding that the video would back up a racism complaint against Chandler if a firefighter decided to file one. "It's one thing to say that Chandler was this way, but it's another thing to see it in action," Falcon said.

Bryant, unlike Falcon, said he would have been willing to forgive Chandler for the behavior had Chandler been forthcoming about the video. "I believe in God. I follow the way of forgiving and forgetting, but forgiveness has to start at an admission of wrongdoing, and we didn't get that far with Todd. He doesn't admit to doing it. That was the wrong thing to do," Bryant said.

Chandler spent almost two years as interim chief because a majority of the council was not willing to approve him as chief. Melton appointed Chandler to interim chief at the beginning of his term, but refused to submit his nomination knowing a majority of the council opposed it. Melton complained that he would not put the vote before the council until the council "grew up." Council members like Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore said they would not approve Chandler because he is a "controversial" figure within the department.

Melton finally submitted Chandler for a confirmation vote earlier this year, and the council failed to approve him, though the Jackson City Council rarely failed to approve department heads under prior administrations. Furious, Melton initially threatened to retain Chandler as interim chief, with an interim chief's salary—about $20,000 more than Assistant Fire Chief Vernon Hughes, who is black. Melton eventually caved to council wishes after outcry, however, and submitted Hughes' name as fire chief. The council approved Hughes in July.

Hughes did not return calls to the Jackson Free Press regarding the video. He told The Clarion-Ledger that he would take action after viewing the video and speaking with Chandler.

Previous Comments

ID

97853

Comment

This is not the first time Chandler has been in a negative light. The firemen have not respected him since his so called appointment as Fire Chief by Melton. From what I am told they felt Chandler was picked looking over a lot of other qualified firemen for the position. The firemen have kind of rebelled every since. Moral plays a great part in every department and if the leaders don't respect the employees things like this will always surface. It's a shame because they just got past the stolen lawnmower ordeal and now this. Melton's reaction was very surprising to me and I don't believe he had no knowledge of the event before its planning.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T13:34:11-06:00

ID

97854

Comment

Melton's reaction was very surprising to me and I don't believe he had no knowledge of the event before its planning. You don't think he was told something about Chandler before or after he nominated him? Really? Melton may not have known about the video, but I would almost bet he was quietly warned about this guy's attitudes before, he just didn't give a damn.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:36:51-06:00

ID

97855

Comment

Not that I have any love for Chandler, but how did a video made 14 years[/] ago "suddenly" show up in the hands of news media? How does this happen now, and why? This is a hit, no doubt.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-12-27T13:39:32-06:00

ID

97856

Comment

I can not wait to see the lack of outrage behind all of this. Not to mention that flag again. Once again it rears its ugly head in a racist situation. What a positive symbol for our state.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-27T13:39:40-06:00

ID

97857

Comment

Flag hanging in plain sight btw...Does anyone know where I can get a large one of those? or a large replica of the state Flag. Its a lot of kids who dont even know what it looks like..

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T13:43:11-06:00

ID

97858

Comment

Frank doesn't care, though I do wonder if nominating Chandler was truly his call.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-12-27T13:43:38-06:00

ID

97859

Comment

I am sure he had knowledge of the kind of person Chandler was before his nomination, because from my understanding Chandler had an opinion or influence in the last Fire Chief being fired. I am sorry jeff I kinda went blank and started talking about the tyrone lewis police academy drama at the end of my last post.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T13:47:52-06:00

ID

97860

Comment

melton said during a phone call with WAPT that he had seen the tape and there will be no penalty associated with it. This is so unfortunate. Just as we are able to make some dents in race relations, racism peeps up its ugly head. This confederate flag issue is racist blood on the brain. There is truly a need to retire this flag. The Skinner building (police academy) is the secrete offering from melton to "some" from the group of people he promised "The State of the Art Recoding Studio" on Farish Street. "Rap Party" is not a bad word. The degree of sensitivity IS. "A rose by anyother name is still a rose." Folks have broken the law on this issue and because "TEHY" did it does not make it right.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-27T13:49:08-06:00

ID

97861

Comment

How does this happen now, and why? This is a hit, no doubt. He wouldn't have gotten *hit* if he hadn't provided the ammo. Frank doesn't care, though I do wonder if nominating Chandler was truly his call. Possibly wasn't. Or maybe he was trying to give the appearance of being *fair* and sending a signal to the white community by nominating a white department head. It's hard to know for sure, but again, I feel sure he was given a head's up about the guy but he was either unwilling or unable to acknowledge it.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T13:51:40-06:00

ID

97862

Comment

I think I combined my thoughts re the Skinner Building (Police Academy) and the Fire Department video with Chandler. MY BAD!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-27T13:55:57-06:00

ID

97863

Comment

Oh brother, .."The Skinner building (police academy) is the secrete offering from melton to "some" from the group of people he promised "The State of the Art Recoding Studio" on Farish Street. "Rap Party" is not a bad word." Huh? Whaaa? Its not a "bad" word, its the connotation justjess. Cliff didnt mean to be racial but it could be taken to imply "young black folks" or "thugs" which takes away from the issue. we all here have agreed there was a problem with the police academy being used not what kind of music was being played. ..And the "recording studio" comment I guess ill address since it was made in front of MY organization and trust that we have nothing to do with the Police Academy or what has gone on in it. And no one who's been throwing events in it have anything to do with the MAP coalition so please..please dont make unfounded statements especially when they have to do with me.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T14:01:37-06:00

ID

97864

Comment

..And defintiely dont associate "secret offerings" with any official orwhatever term you used when asociated with me or my group either. And Im only saying this 'cuz the infamous "state-of-the-art recording studio" statement was made in my presence at a MAP meeting so I had credence in which to speak on it. Sorry, dont wanna get off topic

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T14:04:47-06:00

ID

97865

Comment

..I think I combined mine too. my bad..wrong thread

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-27T14:06:03-06:00

ID

97866

Comment

justjess don't feel bad I did the same thing its kinda like the frank and the restless, all of these issues somehow fall back on leadership and choices. I am sure we all can agree we don't have much of that going on in the city of Jackson. Why isn't Madison or Brandon having these type of problems and you better believe when they do have any problem the Feds are all over it.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T14:08:36-06:00

ID

97867

Comment

He wouldn't have gotten *hit* if he hadn't provided the ammo. Oh yeah, no doubt Jeff. I agree that if he'd kept his mouth shut he'd be back to merely being a Melton Crony rather than a unfortunate link to a dark past. Still, who waits 14 years to put this out now?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-12-27T14:08:45-06:00

ID

97868

Comment

Ironghost, I would be very surprised if that video has any lasting negative effects. I might be alone, but I think a lot of people still think like that. Those are suppose to be the professional types, not the uneducated back woods folks.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-27T14:14:07-06:00

ID

97869

Comment

I agree Goldenae this will fade away pretty fast. They are already trying to cover it up with the Police Academy drama.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T14:16:50-06:00

ID

97870

Comment

You know this reminds me of those celebrity porno video tapes, if you make something on tape its gonna be seen by somebody you don't want to see it lol. About the worst thing that can happen to somebody in a professional public position here in Mississippi is being portrayed as a racist and giving your enemies ammunition is just dumb. You can cut Chandler some slack and say this all happened 14 years ago, but with that out in the open he won't be able to do more than he is now. For all we know Chandler is better about things now, but with that tape in everyone's face he's gonna have a hard time proving it.

Author

GLewis

Date

2007-12-27T14:54:53-06:00

ID

97871

Comment

The first sign to recovering from a problem is admitting you have one. Chandler needs to own up to his demons and maybe forgiveness will follow. You could tell by his response and tone during the interview that he was lying. (maybe some got a hold of his equipment). He could have come up with a better lie than that.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T15:12:20-06:00

ID

97872

Comment

You could tell by his response and tone during the interview that he was lying. (maybe some got a hold of his equipment). He could have come up with a better lie than that. That was the weird part of the interview; notice how he never once looked at the camera during the entire interview with the WJTV reporter? It's almost like he was afraid of having a split screen with his interview on one side and his Klan-style home video on the other side. Or maybe he didn't want viewers to see his forehead sweating like a pig, eyes darting all over the place, lying through his teeth.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-27T15:18:52-06:00

ID

97873

Comment

LOL...jeff you hit the nail on the head. He sounded like Bill Clinton trying to explain his sex scandel or the mayor giving an explanation for taking little boys home with him.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T15:24:29-06:00

ID

97874

Comment

OMG, I just saw the Chandler video on the clarion ledgars website. My only question is why is Chandler the only one in the news. Some of the other men on that video said and did things just as bad. I say go after them all.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-27T16:02:19-06:00

ID

97875

Comment

Chandler meant no harm at all. He was likely auditioning for a movie script about firemen, I bet. I had some bosses just like Chandler as a young teenagers in Winston County. I knew they loved me by the affectionate way they called me boy and by how much work they gave me to do while my white counterparts did nothing or very little work and still got paid the same or more. One foreman asked me what I wanted to do when I am grown up and I said be a lawyer, doctor or something significant like that. He then said "I don't know about that but if you keep working hard like you are now one day you can become foreman like me making $3.00 an hour. I said "nawsome, Mr. Foreman, a slow colored boy like me could never be smart enough to dig those big old holes in the ground and tire those steel bars together without having a smart white man like you to oversee and tell him how to do it right. Naw Sir, boss, I ain't smart nuff to be no boss." Somebody had to do the work. If not me then them. If I can borrow from the Britney Spears' fan person I'd simply say "Leave Chandler Alone."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-27T19:36:29-06:00

ID

97876

Comment

That Chandler video had a firehouse full of people in agreement, it seemed. The best thing for Chandler is that it happenned in Mississippi because I bet nothing will come of it. He may even be rewarded in some way or another. I heard Kim Wade excuse it by saying that blacks probably do the same thing in private. I told you all that would be an excuse.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-27T21:40:09-06:00

ID

97877

Comment

Most that I talk to say the video has been blown way out of proportion. I was able to watch it tonight and did not like a few of the remarks that were made by two of the firefighters. But the clowning by the alleged Chandler is basically the same things we encounter in everyday life at the firehouse. NO BIG DEAL. I think the main thing he was doing was making fun of a incident from a fire they previously had.

Author

Bango

Date

2007-12-27T22:34:14-06:00

ID

97878

Comment

Falcon said an unnamed source had placed the video near his mailbox on Sunday. “When I watched that thing, I almost pissed my pants,” Falcon told the Jackson Free Press. “We don’t need this kind of tension in the department. My two cents on those comment. I am sure Falcon almost pissed his pants because of the thought of trying to go after Chandler such as he has since Chandler being named Fire Chief. If Falcon was so concerned about the Tension it may cause the why did he not go to the Fire Chief with the video instead of the media. Nice move Falcon.

Author

Bango

Date

2007-12-27T22:38:30-06:00

ID

97879

Comment

If you guys do this kind of clowning every day, we have a huge problem in this city and this state. And the public has the right to know where our tax dollars are going and to whom. Cheers to Falcon for helping with that transparency.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-27T22:50:43-06:00

ID

97880

Comment

If Chandler isn't at least demoted, we need to march on city hall. If he doesn't come clean, apologize and acknowledge the wrong of his actions he should be fired.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-28T08:21:28-06:00

ID

97881

Comment

I've know Chief Hughes for over 15 years. Tank is a friendly, but no-nonsense guy. I read his comments in Ledger story, and it doesn't sound like he's buying Chandler's story. It'll be interesting to see if little frankie will "let the chief do his job..."

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-28T08:37:30-06:00

ID

97882

Comment

If Chandler isn't at least demoted, we need to march on city hall. If he doesn't come clean, apologize and acknowledge the wrong of his actions he should be fired. Yeah, and we could hold up signs that say stuff like, "Apologize or Quit". Why should he get a pass? Wouldn't it be something if this mess got national attention?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-12-28T08:38:08-06:00

ID

97883

Comment

It'll be interesting to see if little frankie will "let the chief do his job..." I wonder what Melton would do if Hughes took action against Chandler. We could end up with another fire chief. That's what he did to Anderson.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-12-28T08:40:51-06:00

ID

97884

Comment

I agree Cliff Tank is a no non-sense kinda guy, it was reported yesterday he was headed to the mayor's office to discuss this issue. The buck may stop right there.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-28T08:43:57-06:00

ID

97885

Comment

Why do you call him Tank? Did he play football or something?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-12-28T09:41:34-06:00

ID

97886

Comment

Well...L.W. I take it you've never stood next to him. He is bulit like brick house! Solid as a rock. That's what his nick-name was/is.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-28T09:46:11-06:00

ID

97887

Comment

It's also worth noting that I've seen him beak up fights in bars. No punching, hitting, or anything. All he would have to do is get their attention, point towards the door and say, "Leave.." Both sides were all too happy to oblige. It was actually quite funny to watch, especially when something was about to go down and he would say, "Hey!!!", and they woud turn around before the realized what was happening to yell, "What!!!" It was, how shall we say..a real Kodak moment.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-28T10:00:23-06:00

ID

97888

Comment

Bango, what would have to be said or done or how many would have to be involved for it to be a big deal? Hanging rebel flags and carrying around racist bumper stickers while putting on skits is not enough? If the tables were turned and a group of African Americans on the public tab were putting out such racists things, we all would be in agreement that something must be done. I surely would not be sitting here saying it was no big deal. The guys in the firehouse made it my business and the public's business when they took their act out of their homes and did it at the firehouse. You know why issues like this become big? Because there is always a group of people that try to defend it or dismiss it which pisses of fair minded people.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-28T10:03:13-06:00

ID

97889

Comment

Well said Gold.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-28T10:04:36-06:00

ID

97890

Comment

Hanging rebel flags and carrying around racist bumper stickers while putting on skits is not enough? Allow me to edit that slightly: Hanging rebel flags and carrying around racist bumper stickers while putting on skits WHILE WORKING ON THE TAXPAYER DIME is not enough? I second Cliff: Great response, Goldenae. And your last sentence is golden.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-28T10:07:30-06:00

ID

97891

Comment

What has been WJNTs response to this situation? I saw it mentioned on the news this morning.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-12-28T10:11:39-06:00

ID

97892

Comment

I would be willing to bet that Melton contacted Hughes immediately after this story hit the airways if not before. Hughes was probably instructed to "tactfully" give a firm statement about this incident but do not commit to taking any drastic action that would make Chandler look bad. Chandler is obviously Melton's golden boy as is also Recio, Wright, and maybe a couple of others. Isn't this Melton warmed over not to admit to the obvious? You can make racially insensitive videos and that's okay. You can give parties at the police training academy and thats okay. You can pull up behind council members and scare the life out of them and that's okay too. But pleeeeaaaassssseeee just don't roll your eyes at the mayor. Now THAT will get you fired

Author

rufus

Date

2007-12-28T10:22:10-06:00

ID

97893

Comment

So this is a run down of how the city of Jackson operates: our mayor stops buses to hug children on the interstate and later hauls them off to his house for private parties in patrol cars, he carries a sledge hammer around destroying houses and allows his bodyguards to harass council members. Our fireman sell stolen lawn mowers are are undercover racist in denial and our command staff uses city buildings to throw parties for personal gain. Sounds like a comic book stript.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-28T11:15:06-06:00

ID

97894

Comment

Remember a police officer was fired not long ago for making a tape or video about the mayor and police chief. So I guess Chandler just wasn't specific enough in his racism. If he had called Franks name even way back then, I bet you Frank would fire him today without thinking twice.

Author

classy

Date

2007-12-28T11:18:34-06:00

ID

97895

Comment

**Hanging rebel flags and carrying around racist bumper stickers while putting on skits WHILE WORKING ON THE TAXPAYER DIME is not enough?** <--ladd 10:07 a.m. You nailed it, ladd. That was exactly what I was going to add.

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-28T12:38:17-06:00

ID

97896

Comment

I do agree that the bumper sticker may have crossed the line, as well as a couple of comments said by a couple of firefighters. Chandler was not involved in that. When was hanging the Rebel flag a racists act or even deemed illegal. Did anyone state on the video that they were fixing to act like a black. Can someone tell me how you act like a black? Can someone give me the legal term for racists. Now on to other things. Why do people make issue about the fact that we still have the lawn mower thief or theives working for the jfd. What about 10 recruits failing after attending our non experienced training center. Not to mention that Hughes put the same individuals back in charge of the training center that were there during the last class that was so poorly trained, harrassed racially, mentally and physically. That is Fact. I guess those issues are not important to this group.

Author

Bango

Date

2007-12-28T20:44:41-06:00

ID

97897

Comment

Bango you are whats wrong with Mississippi, you are why we rank last in everything and cant gain population, stop defending wrong and grow up.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-12-29T01:05:54-06:00

ID

97898

Comment

Bango, whaddaya mean by *this group*?

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-29T11:08:35-06:00

ID

97899

Comment

The JFP group. They have been supplied with information on other important issues. But is seems with them that they don't want to report anything but Chandler stuff when it comes to the JFD

Author

Bango

Date

2007-12-30T09:14:20-06:00

ID

97900

Comment

bango whats the JFD group, When the fire fighters bought the stolen lawn mowers they were punished, chandler haven't even been punished so who is getting away with something here and i see you want to condone racism cause you getting mad at us for going after chandler for what he did, Bango please dont support bigotry cause thats what you are doing. Two wrongs dont make a rite you and chandler are the two wrongs.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-12-30T11:09:03-06:00

ID

97901

Comment

Than Bango you said you believe what they did on the tape "may" have crossed the line. That statement lets me know you still taking up for racism.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-12-30T11:12:56-06:00

ID

97902

Comment

NewJack just because someone does note word something to your was does not mean they support racisim. Some of my best friends are black. As I said before I dont think any court of law would consider anything on that tape as racisim. And yes I do think a couple of the statements that were made were borderline of being racisism. I have not heard of anyone that has been punished for the lawn mowers. In fact the guy that was selling them is still at work.

Author

Bango

Date

2007-12-30T16:20:51-06:00

ID

97903

Comment

..."SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE BLACK.." Bango, you DO know that is the classic response from someone who is still in denial about their own latent racial prejudices don't you? Having friends, albeit best or not, that are black does not mean that you still cant be insensitive to racially charged comments. The comments were wrong and in poor taste..There was no right in them and no grounds on which to justify them..simple. Your continuance of the "devil's advocate" line of commenting is not making us waiver on that... ..Ask you your best black friends and see what they say...thats my two cents Im out..time to party

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-12-30T17:01:49-06:00