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Hernando Today

Union Prez Apologizes For 'Chump Change' Remark

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: September 12, 2008

SPRING HILL - The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines chump as a "fool" or a "blockhead."

So when Spring Hill Fire Rescue union President Troy Hager turned to someone during a fire meeting in July and described an increase in insurance costs as "chump change," those who overheard it were offended.

Hagar insulted the taxpayers of Spring Hill - the ones who pay his salary and the salaries of everyone else in the union, they said.

"I don't think he said it with any malice," said Spring Hill Fire Rescue Commission Chairman Charles Raborn. "They're making a big deal out of it because he's the union president."

Hagar uttered the words during a July 23 meeting. Two weeks later, members of the public, including Spring Hill resident Patrick Clements, publicly objected to Hagar's statement.

Clements is a regular attendee during fire commission meetings and is related to fire commissioner Rob Giammarco by marriage.

Others, including Giammarco, also voiced their concerns about Hagar's choice of words.

The union president e-mailed a written apology to fire commissioners.

"The slang tern I used was inappropriate, especially when taken out of context," he wrote.

During a July 25 meeting, Hagar heard the interim fire chief tell the board the increase for employee health premiums from Blue Cross Blue Shield would be 5.2 percent - or $71,000. He was expecting a much-higher percentage, such as 15, 20 or 25 percent.

That was when he turned to someone next to him and said, "That's chump change."

Hagar's written apology was rejected Wednesday by Giammarco. He thought it should have been done publicly. Spring Hill taxpayers were owed the apology, he said.

"You don't even live in the district and you treat them like that?" the commissioner said Thursday. "That's like throwing sand in their faces."

Giammarco did not know how the letter was submitted. He complained Hagar did not sign or date it.

"How do I even know he wrote that letter?" he asked.

Hagar said he e-mailed the apology and someone from the district printed it out and distributed it to all five commissioners. That was why it was not signed.

He admitted he used the "wrong term."

"Again, I believe my comment was greatly misconstrued and to suggest that I have anything but the utmost respect for the taxpayers or that I do not have a responsible attitude towards the financial situation of this district was incorrect," Hagar wrote.

He said relations between him and Giammarco were cold from the beginning, this despite his repeated offers to open a line of dialogue.

"I don't know what went wrong there," Hagar said. "From day one, I've done nothing but offer my hand and my help ... He told me my help was not required."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5823 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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