(C) 2004 WMC TV Memphis

Firefighters take petition to the Memphis City Council
Written By: George Brown @ wmctv.com

It's becoming a common sight...Memphis firefighters rallying together to support Chief Jerry Crawford. The difference Tuesday...firefighters put their pleas on paper... that Crawford be made Memphis Fire Director. They handed over a petition with a thousand signatures from firefighters and members of the community. Half those names belong to firefighters...about a third of the department who don't want a national search for their next leader. Hanalei Harris is a Memphis Firefighter, "We feel a national search is not needed when by far the most qualified candidate is right here in our department." Firefighters filled council chambers..some holding signs of support. Council member Tom Marshall acknowledged the firefighters support said Crawford is a good man, "He has good decision making capabilities. He's good on the trigger." But still Councilman Marshall and others said their vote against Crawford is a done deal and that yes...the fact that Crawford lives in Fayette County rubbed them the wrong way, "The fact that he chose to not be a part of the Memphis community or the Shelby County community I think went against him. I think he's a very capable person but that was insurmountable for many of us." Crawford supporters like Harris feel that's a cop out and Council Members need to trust the people they trust with their lives, "We feel he has the capability and the support of the fire department and the community to lead the Memphis fire department to a promising and rewarding future." A future that right now is uncertain.

(C)2004 WREG Memphis

January 20, 2004
by Jennifer Van Vrancken @ wreg.com

Memphis - Its like the old story about the elephant in the room that everybody clearly sees -- in fact you can't miss, but folks are hesitant to acknowledge or talk about it.

Walk into the council meeting and its staring you in the face everywhere you look. Memphis firefighters showing by signs and sheer number, they want the council to re-consider Jerry Crawford to head the Memphis Fire Department. Hanalei Harris spoke for his fellow firemen, "We feel that a national search is not needed when by far the most qualified candidate is right here in our department."

Fire fighters presented a petition with more than one thousand signatures. Councilman Tom Marshall responds, "This is probably one of the most polite groups of people to ever endure a city council meeting... and not disrupted us... and treated all of us with dignity and respect. Even though we have our differences, I just want to tell you I appreciate that." And that was all. Fireman Mitch Lemmon says, "Yes, we were hoping for a lot better reaction than what we received." (What do you do from here?) "What we do from here... is we go back to work and maintain our daily lives because that's our responsibility. But what we desire is for Chief Crawford to be our director."

The other issue not officially before the council -- the rift with Mayor Herenton -- a major concern for Memphis ministers. Reverend Lasimba Gray told the council, "We are asking you to do two things for us. Seek ways to extend the olive branch. The second thing... we want to appeal to you is to ask you not to tamper with the charter." Councilman Brent Taylor responded, "As a council member, I am willing to work with you and with anyone that is willing to repair the relationship so that we can operate the city in an environment of mutual respect." And Councilwoman TaJuan Stout Mitchell says, "I will vote conviction and not bow down to any pharaoh -- but I will respect the mayor."

Councilwoman Mitchell later clarified herself -- saying she wasn't calling the mayor a pharaoh. By the way, the ministers met with the mayor earlier in the week, but he wasn't at the meeting with an olive branch either.