Detroit TV reporter says state now investigating firehouses. Charlie LeDuff sounds off on what real story is after confrontation with fire official.
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Fred Wheeler vs. Charlie Leduff, previous coverage here, here, here, here, here & here
Charlie LeDuff, in addition to his unique style, is able to do something few local TV news reporters are allowed to do. LeDuff’s bosses let him overtly inject his personal views in the way he shapes and presents his daily stories. It has LeDuff taking on the role of what I call a reporter/advocate. In the sameness that is often TV news around the country LeDuff stands out. Because of this, I imagine LeDuff is one reason people watch the news at MyFoxDetroit, WJBK-TV. LeDuff’s reports are branded on the TV station’s website under the banner “Off the Chain”.
This week, LeDuff’s ambush interview brought the firing of Deputy Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler. The interview, with Wheeler swatting away the microphone and hurling expletives at his long time nemesis, occurred on Tuesday after LeDuff looked at the deplorable conditions at Detroit firehouses, with raw sewage flowing inside and out. On Wednesday, Mayor Dave Bing said he was investigating the confrontation. On Thursday, Bing announced that Wheeler has been “unappointed, effective immediately”.
What I failed to notice for our earlier coverage is that Fred Wheeler issued this statement on Thursday:
Today, I tendered my resignation from the City of Detroit. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with Mayor Bing so that we had a successful Angels’ Night, were able to implement national standards for how fire events are conducted and that I was able to assist with the reorganization of the administrative staff so that it includes more professionals.
Yesterday, Charlie LeDuff reported state officials are now investigating the health and safety issues at Detroit firehouses. LeDuff took the moment to become a bit more reflective and look at what this week’s events really mean for the citizens of Detroit and their firefighters. WJBK.com labels the video above an “Off the Chain Opinion”. In it, LeDuff says the story shouldn’t be about the fracas with Wheeler. Here’s an excerpt:
The story should be the public’s welfare. The story should be the mishandling of public money. The story should be about correcting mistakes.
The story should be about firefighter Walt Harris, who suffocated in 2008 when a roof collapsed on him but his colleagues could not find him in time because his trigger alarm did not work.
The story should be about Ivory Ivey, the three-year-old who died in a house fire last year after a fire truck showed up but couldn’t pump water.
This isn’t just a problem for citizens of Detroit. If you come from the suburbs for dinner or a hockey game or the opera, you’re a Detroiter. If you pay state taxes or a water bill, you’re a Detroiter.
We’re all in this together and poor governance is not our birthright. Demand better.
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