KY’s racist, bully fire chief stays on the job & in the news
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(PLEASE NOTE: For those making angry calls and sending andry emails about Chief Julius Hatfield’s antics, please note he is with the Southeast Bullitt FD and not the Shepherdsville Fire Department. Some people are contacting the wrong department in the area with their outrage.)
It’s 2015 and we thought we were out with the old and in with the new. But Julius Hatfield, Kentucky’s racist, bully fire chief, is still hanging around and still doing stupid things. Take last night, for example. After previously apologizing for being a bully to WDRB-TV reporter Valerie Chinn, he puts his hands on her. Now, I will admit it looks like a somewhat gentle push, but really?
If you don’t want want reporters following you and asking you questions while you are under criminal investigation maybe you should take a leave of absence Julius? Oh, that’s right. You already told us you would take some time off but you’ve decided the community and the fire department just can’t get along without your great leadership. Oh, well. Then I guess you better get used to Ms. Chinn being around for a while longer.
The situation at Monday’s Southeast Bullitt Fire Protection District Board meeting was volatile and violent as one board member resigned and another shoved a journalist.
SE Bullitt Fire Chief Julius Hatfield tried to shut the door on WDRB while asking him questions.
WDRB’s Valerie Chinn asked, “It’s your opportunity to say something Julius.” Hatfield pushed her away.
“You wouldn’t tell it like I told you,” he said.
“Yes, I would,” Chinn countered.
“You haven’t in the past,” Hatfield said.
“Tell me what is not straight. What do people need to know?” Chinn asked.
“I don’t want to talk to you. Thank you,” said Hatfield.
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He was out-voted on the motions passed at the meeting.
The board voted to hire a new part-time secretary/bookkeeper. The job was currently held by Hatfield’s wife Joanne who in 2013 received a year-end lump sum payment of 14-thousand dollars for volunteering her secretarial and bookkeeping services. She still holds the job for the Fire Corporation.
Before the meeting started, board member Buddy Greenwell resigned effective immediately.
“Julius is my friend and I think the other side of the board is trying to do what’s right. I’m kind of right in the middle. the way it is right now, I’ve got to do what’s on my heart, so I’m going to resign tonight,” Greenwell said.
“Not for long because I’m going to resign,” said Milford Hatfield of his status on the board. “Cause I don’t like Thibodeaux is doing everything — he’s making lies and everything else. I’ve had enough of it.” He went on to say “he’s hollering the money is not there. The money is there. Every dime of it, the money is in the damn bank.”
Milford Hatfield is the only other person besides Julius Hatfield who is on both the Fire Protection District Board and the Fire Corporation Board.
He’s upset with Board Member Dan Thibodeaux, who is trying to make changes.
The Bullitt County Sheriff’s Department says it’s investigating Hatfield for insurance fraud and other charges. Federal and state authorities are also investigating.
Hatfield has also been under fire for making a racist comment and for the way he treated WDRB at a public meeting.
Firefighters tell WDRB News that Hatfield is still on the job and not on paid leave.
“His status at this point is somewhat is up in the air,” Hatfield’s attorney Thomas Clay said. “He did submit a resignation. It wasn’t acted on in our view, he rescinded that. We’re trying to figure out and I haven’t been very successful in communicating with the officials who have the say in what his status is.”
The Fire Corporation meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
