Palmer criticizes selection of fire chief

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 5, 2003
Meridian City Councilmen confirmed the city's new fire chief on Tuesday even though one member criticized the selection process and didn't cast a vote on the appointment.
Ward 4 Councilman Jesse E. Palmer Sr. said he believed Battalion Chief Anthony Clayton, who is black, was the best man for the job not fellow Battalion Chief Tim Miller, who is white.
Palmer insisted after the council meeting that his anger over the selection had nothing to do with race. He did, however, say the city is majority black and has just one black department head.
Mayor John Robert Smith chose Miller on Monday over four other candidates, including Clayton, to replace H.C. "Bunky" Partridge as the city's fire chief. The council approved the appointment 4-0.
Clayton was the only black candidate for the job and has been a battalion chief for the fire department for one year.
Smith told the council that the selection of the fire chief should be based on qualifications and not race. He pointed to his appointment of Benny DuBose, the city's first black police chief, last year as an example.
Ward 1 Councilman George Thomas called Palmer's comments "the most bigoted statements I've ever heard before this council."