Fire chief hit with no-confidence vote

The Meridian Firefighters Association has issued a vote of no confidence against the Meridian Fire Department’s chief and deputy chief.

Ninety-nine percent of firefighters who participated in the vote last week voted no confidence against Fire Chief Anthony Clayton and Deputy Chief Ricky Leister.

The association sent a letter to Mayor Percy Bland detailing its vote. In it, the association cited a lack of leadership, a failure to respond to firefighter safety concerns and a lack of overall concern for the well-being of members.

Firefighter association president Kyle Wilbanks said in another news release that the association had never held a vote of no confidence against the department’s chief.

In response to the vote, Bland defended the chief and deputy chief, praising their work.