GJ ( P )u rieS'i k g where it will do the most Where There's Smoke .9. A firefighter in Dearborn says he endured anti-Semitism on the job. We Have the High Certificate of Deposit Rates You're Looking For Elizabeth Applebaum 0/ Contributing Editor 4,14 6 months Jewish firefighter has filed a lawsuit against the Dearborn Fire Department, alleging he experienced repeated incidents of anti-Semitism and was refused trans- fer after reporting those incidents. Tom Begres of West Bloomfield filed suit in Wayne County Circuit Court, asking more than $25,000 in damages. Begres' attorney is Michael Cutler of Farmington Hills. Cutler, who special- izes in employment discrimination, alleges that Begres has been the sub- ject of numerous incidents of harass- ment at Dearborn Fire Station No. 2, where he has worked since 2003. Cutler says these included: • References to Begres as a "lep- rekike" (a play on the word lep- rechaun). • Suggestions that firefighters view Schinder's List, Steven Spielberg's film about Oskar Schindler and the Jews he saved during the Holocaust, because "that always gives us a good laugh." A S500 Minimum 455.i% 12 months S5c,)0 Minimum war env _mutt - MICHIGAN HERITAGE Let us lend a hand See our websttefor current Special Rates. www,miheritage.corn *AnnualPtzmnIV., , Yield (APY} is effective as of November 17, ZOO& FDIC Penalty for early wtindrawal. Brokered amounts not e. Rates Irksured subjea to that without notive., Minimum of 1.00 requinxi. • Farmington Hills (248) 538-2545 Novi (248) 380-6590 Livonia (248) 442-9650 Troy (248) 619-0264 Wixom (248) 468-0205 Tom Begres made repeated attempts to be transferred, his attorney said. Quick Clean 31519 W. 13 Mile Rd.,Farmington Hills 13 Mile + Orchard Lake in Westbrooke Shopping Center • Dry Cleaning . . . .$2.2S (stveaters, pants, plain only) • Men's Suit SS SO • Shirts on Hangers . . .99C (NO LIMIT) • Laundry Services Available 248-489-0953 • Cellular Phones • Satellite TV •Send Global International Calling WISPU,S5 30 West Bloomfield • (248) 681-7200 Bloomfield Hills • (248) 335-3345 4276 Orchard Lake Rd. @ Lone Pine 43183 Woodward Ave @ Square Lake December 29 = 2005 . 1029390 • While it's typical for Dearborn firefighters to place stickers, reflecting their ethnic background, on their hel- mets, when Begres affixed a sticker with a Star of David to his helmet "he was threatened with termination unless he took it off:' Cutler says. • One of Begres' fellow firemen used computers at the tire station to pur- chase Nazi paraphernalia, including weapons, brochures and a fireman's hat made from a Nazi war helmet. He would then openly discuss his interest in Nazi memorabilia and was "very proud of it," Cutler says. According to Cutler, Begres made repeated attempts to be transferred. He "went up the chain of command [including appealing to Fire Chief Nazhih Hazime, who is named in the suit] and gave the fire department notice of the problem:' Cutler says. Before filing suit, Begres looked to other outlets, such as his union, for support, but found no help. "He was really trapped in this environment:' Cutler says.- Though Begres' supervisors "were aware of the problems," Cutler says, they repeatedly refused his requests for a transfer, without offering any explanation. "He was just told, in essence, that he would just have to endure it." Consequently, Begres, the depart- ment's only Jewish firefighter, had "no alternative but to file [the law- suit];' Cutler says. "Dearborn has in place, and has had in place, a policy that prohibits discrimination, including religious discrimination:' said Kim Craig, assistant corporation counsel for the city. Officials take charges of dis- crimination "very seriously," she says, adding that the city did com- plete an investigation in the Begres matter. Because the case is pending, she says, she could not discuss the findings. Spokesmen for the Michigan Region Anti-Defamation League did not comment on the case, saying they had not been contacted by Begres. No trial date has been set. ❑ Judge To Retire Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Hilda Gage is retiring after more than 25 years as a jurist. A dinner in her honor will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Troy Marriott. Cocktails will be at 6 p.m. Dinner will be at 7 p.m. The charge is $85 per person. Former Circuit Judge Barry Howard is treasurer of the event; send reservation information with a check to him at 3910 Telegraph, Suite 200, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302. The com- munity is invited.