The Teflon chief'

By Staff
April 2, 2003
Some of his fellow firefighters have taken to calling him the "Teflon chief" because no criticism seems to stick. So, then, is Meridian Fire Chief H.C. "Bunky" Partridge out from under a cloud that formed when the state Ethics Commission questioned his financial relationships with the city of Meridian and Three I Public Safety Inc.?
Here's what we know:
1. Attorney General Mike Moore absolved Partridge of any criminal wrongdoing by being paid $2,570 a month, or $30,840 a year, by Three I since January 2002 while also drawing his annual fire chief's salary of $60,000 from the city. The city and Three I have certain financial connections and city personnel occasionally use the training facility.
2. And, since he did nothing wrong, Partridge does not have to repay any money to the city of Meridian.
3. As part of their agreement we call it a settlement Partridge said he will not take any more money from Three I.
The essence of Moore's opinion seems to be Partridge did nothing wrong and has decided not to do it again. This strikes us as a somewhat bizarre opinion. If it wasn't wrong to take salaries from the city and from the nonprofit Three I, why should Partridge offer to stop doing it?
Of course, the last word probably hasn't been written in this episode of Partridge's story he's running as an independent candidate for Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk in this year's elections. Could it be that voters may call on him to explain all this again?