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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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VIDEO: Triplett, El-Amin, and French Discuss Obama on Magic 104.9
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Monday, December 10, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Alderman and local Obama for America spokeswoman Kacie Starr Triplett, Missouri State Representative T.D. El-Amin, and PubDef.net editor Antonio D. French appeared on Magic 104.9 FM's "Sunday Morning Live" radio show yesterday to discuss plans for a large group of St. Louisans to travel to Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 15, to campaign on behalf of presidential candidate and U.S. Senator from Illinois Barack Obama.
On the "Collateral Damage" radio show Monday night, the hot topic was Mayor Francis Slay's handling of the fire department controversy.
Hosts DJ Wilson and Fred Hessel and guest Antonio French of PubDef.net discussed the appointment of the new fire chief, Dennis Jenkerson; the qualifications of public safety director Charles Bryson; and what "disrespect" has to do with this whole thing.
"Appointing a fire chief, police chief, or economic development director, or public works director, or streets department director because of his of her race is wrong," said Mayor Francis Slay today standing next to Public Safety Director Charles Bryson.
Slay and Bryson announced Dennis Jenkerson as the new fire chief.
Some important things about today's promotion of Jenkerson as the head of the city's fire department:
Jenkerson is a personal friend of Francis Slay;
Francis Slay changed the rules to by-pass the leading deputy chief candidate, who was black (Historically, only deputy chiefs are considered for chief);
Jenkerson was a battalion chief, a lower rank than deputy chief;
Jenkerson is currently being investigated by St. Louis police for authorizing firefighters under his command to do personal work for lobbyist Lou Hamilton while on duty;
I'm scheduled to be a guest on "Collateral Damage" tonight with hosts D.J. Wilson and Fred Hessel. The show is from 7:00 to 7:30 PM and can be heard on KDHX 88.1 FM or online at www.kdhx.org.
