Fire commissioners reprimanded for racial jokes caught on mic

Snohomish County fire commissioners Bob Meador (left) and David Chan

Snohomish County fire commissioners Bob Meador (left) and David Chan

EVERETT — Two Snohomish County fire commissioners had a private conversation last week during which they made jokes about hiring Mexicans as cheap labor.

Their microphones, rolling during a break in a March 7 public meeting, broadcast those comments online. Local 1828, the firefighters union for District 1, on Friday provided the tape to the news media. During a special evening meeting, the commissioners argued for 90 minutes over whether the two who made the comments should resign or be reprimanded.

The controversy centered on District 1 Commissioner Bob Meador, who is white and joked that he wouldn’t hire immigrants, and Commissioner David Chan, who is Chinese and moved to the U.S. 45 years ago. In a different public meeting earlier this month, Chan said he was worried about hate crimes targeting Asians.

Meador, 73, and Chan, 65, initially tried to take Friday’s meeting into executive session, which meant the discussion would have happened behind closed doors. They were rebuked by board Chairman Jim McGaughey and Commissioner Jim Kenny. Meador and Chan also unsuccessfully pushed for the vote on the reprimand to be moved to next week. In the end, they were issued a written reprimand on a 2-2 vote. Chan and Meador voted against the reprimand, with Commissioner Richard Schrock absent.

The reprimand suggests the pair write a formal apology and attend diversity training.

Meador and Chan apologized repeatedly. They said they wished the union had approached them personally before going public. Chan said the board’s swift response made him feel like someone who got caught “picking your nose in the grocery store.”

“These were offensive comments, and there needs to be some sanction,” Kenny said.

On the March 7 recording, Chan joked about whether it would be cheaper to hire Mexican immigrants to work for the fire district, which has been short on paramedics.

Meador said, “I don’t want those immigrants. They can’t do the job.”

Union leaders say they became aware of the remarks Wednesday. They met Thursday morning with Fire Chief Brad Reading and McGaughey.

Reading was at the March 7 meeting and didn’t hear the statements, he said in an interview. He learned of the comments when the union played him the recording.

The comments occurred during a break. The board’s secretary had turned the audio system back on, before the meeting reconvened, so the system could warm up, Reading said. The audio system picks up more sound than the desktop microphones, he said.

“No one heard it in the room at the time,” he said.

Several firefighters made clear the comments wouldn’t fly, with them or with the public.

After the heated meeting Friday evening, firefighter Moi Castellon, who is the child of Mexican immigrants, confronted Chan face-to-face while television cameras surrounded them. “I have apologized 20 times … I will not resign,” Chan said.

Castellon had earlier told a reporter that he frequently uses his Spanish at work to help people during emergencies. He has nine years on the job and found the comments “extremely offensive,” he said.

Fire Capt. Rob Gullickson, who is the union vice president, said the comments were racist, cruel and insensitive.

In an interview Friday afternoon, Meador said he is not anti-Mexican or anti-immigrant. “It was a joking thing,” he said. “… I have Mexican grandchildren.”

He alleges that the union sent the press release as a political move to unseat Chan, who is up for reelection in November. Meador also noted that contract negotiations with the union are ongoing. The union on Feb. 18 posted on Facebook, seeking candidates to run for commissioner.

Chan is a Democrat who supported Bernie Sanders and Meador is an independent and they like to rib each other, Chan said. Chan on Friday brought up President Donald Trump several times and said that Trump’s comments about Mexicans have been “much more worse.” He referred to the proceedings Friday night as a political “hanging.”

Union leadership called for Chan and Meador to resign. Fire commissioners are elected and cannot be fired short of a recall petition sought by the public. There was no indication Friday that had happened. However, the board’s code of conduct, obtained by The Daily Herald on Friday, shows that commissioners are expected to be polite and professional and set a good example.

Fire District 1 is based in south Everett and serves unincorporated southwest county. Under contracts, the district also provides firefighting and EMS within the cities of Brier, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.

Reading, the chief, said the district aims to hire from all backgrounds, including women, people of color and veterans.

”We are doing as much diversity as we can,” he said.

When asked if the comments by Meador and Chan were reflective of the district’s mission, he said, “No, absolutely not.”

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.