Ex-chief files complaint over demotion

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2008

PORT RICHEY

Former police Chief Bill Sager has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging he was demoted last year in retaliation for a memo he wrote saying Mathias J. Brewi used a racial slur while he was a candidate for public safety director.

The complaint, filed in December, says a week after Sager wrote the memo on Brewi to then-City Manager Jerry Calhoun, Sager was reassigned to a lower paying job as a patrolman. (Brewi was hired as public safety director, and Sager's memo eventually disappeared from City Hall.)

Sager also says in the complaint that then-interim City Manager James Mathieu called him a "liar and a disgruntled employee" during a City Council meeting in October.

Brewi acknowledged use of the "n" word while talking to Sager, but says he was paraphrasing someone else. Brewi denied any wrongdoing. Officials at the EEOC said Monday they can only share information with the parties involved in a complaint. Lt. Dave Brown, public information officer, said Monday that Brewi wouldn't comment. Mathieu was unavailable for comment.

WESLEY CHAPEL

Former Bucs star to speak at arts center

Lee Roy Selmon, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star and USF athletic director, will give the keynote speech at the Pasco School District's annual Community Night at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Wesley Chapel High School performing arts center. District officials also will unveil a new five-year strategic plan, and participants will work in small groups to discuss implementing the strategies in the schools. The event is free and open to the public.

ST. LEO

Golf, country club sale to close this week

The Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club is close to getting new owners. Lake Jovita Joint Venture announced in an e-mail to residents last month that it had executed a purchase and sales agreement with Dennis and Sun Ok Lee, who own and operate four golf courses, including Diamond Hill Golf Club in Dover. The sale is set to close by Thursday. No sale price was given. "The Lees expect that the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club will remain semiprivate," Lake Jovita Joint Venture told residents last month. Lake Jovita general manager Ronnie Deese did not return a phone call Monday afternoon. This transaction is only for the two 18-hole championship courses and clubhouse.

[Last modified January 28, 2008, 23:04:24]