Monday, November 16, 2015

Moving on up

Clarion-Ledger reporter Clay Chandler will be leaving the newspaper for a job down the street.  The hard-working scribe will assume the new position of Communications Director for Governor Phil Bryant.  He has a reputation as a solid business reporter.  We wish him well in his new endeavor.

Update at 9:06: The Governor's office just issued this press release:

 

Chandler to Succeed Webb as Bryant Communications Director
 
JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant announced today that longtime business and economic development reporter Clay Chandler will succeed Nicole Webb as communications director effective Nov. 30.

“Nicole has been an integral part of my team and has done a phenomenal job over the last four years,” said Governor Bryant.  “I wish her the very best as she begins her next chapter.  While her work and insights will be missed, I am very pleased Clay will be taking the helm.  His experience in print journalism will be invaluable in carrying forward the administration’s message.” 

Webb and her husband Kevin have returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where she will focus primarily on rearing the couple’s two young children. She has served on Bryant’s communications staff since December 2011 following his election to his first term as governor.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve Mississippi under the extraordinary leadership of Gov. Bryant,” Webb said. “He and his team have accomplished a great deal in four years, and as a native Mississippian, I am excited to see the continued momentum and progress that I know will mark the next four years of his administration.”

Chandler, from Northeast Mississippi, has worked as a journalist since 2004, reporting for the Yazoo Herald, the Mississippi Business Journal and the Clarion Ledger. He has covered economic development and government at every level, including every legislative session and statewide election from 2008-2015.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to serve Mississippi in this capacity and grateful Gov. Bryant has made me a part of his team,” Chandler said. “I look forward to helping him move my home state forward.”

Deputy Communications Director Knox Graham will remain on staff as part of Bryant’s communications team and will assume additional responsibilities as press secretary.

Gov. Phil Bryant was elected to a second term as governor on Nov. 3, 2015. He captured 67 percent of the vote.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for him. I follow him on twitter and he cracks me up.

Anonymous said...

Most opinionated "reporter" at the CL. Glad he's moving to a place where he's expected to spin everything.

Anonymous said...

A job where one needs an exaggerated sense of self-worth. Chandler has that and more.

Anonymous said...

If I were a reporter at the Clarion Ledger I would treat my job there as a stepping stone for a job in state government.Your job at Ganett is one layoff away. There is a reason Sam Hall and Geof Pender wrote editorial pieces against Initiative 42. I bet they competed for the job Chandler landed.

Admits Ignorance But So What? said...

Never heard of him. Don't even know who Bryant's current press secretary is or was. Or what difference it makes.

Anonymous said...

Clay, is a good news man and glad to see him get away from the CL.

Anonymous said...

Clay's a good dude. Here's hoping he can make Cody Core secretary of something.

Anonymous said...

Who is Phil Bryant? is he going to communicate his last four as a lame duck?

Anonymous said...

2:05 add adaboyjo and fred(s) too...and derunya

Anonymous said...

Don't knock Phil - according to this map MS is one of the few states that is not being gifted with any of the ISIL fighters - er, sorry - "Syrian" refugees that Obama has brought into the country already:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/21/us/where-syrian-refugees-are-in-the-united-states.html

Anonymous said...

Now, we just need Cody Core as Touchdown Policy Advisor.

Stog said...

A communications director; a deputy director who will remain as press secretary; amazing.
How many does it take to handle media for the guv. There was a time when former reporters like Wallace Dabbs who was press secretary for Gov. Williams could very capably handle this role.
What a way to waste government funds. Almost as good as House Speaker Gunn rewarding his campaign worker with a government job. Oh, how were past speakers able to get along without this extra espense?

REAL news is PRINTED! said...

Governor Williams? How bloody old are you? Do you mean Governor John Bell Williams a half century ago, or Territorial Governor Robert Williams from 1805?

In the 1960s, media was a few newspapers and radio stations with a television station or two thrown in. Today media is a much more complex beast, covering everything from TV to websites to social media. I have a feeling someone like Wallace Dabbs would be overwhelmed as he punched out a press release on his manual Underwood with his PRESS pass tucked in the brim of his fedora.

"These damn kids and their fancy gadgets! What the hell's a tweeter? Get me a whiskey, Mildred!" - Wallace Dabbs



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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