Demanding CEO states his case

Vernon fires firm hired to find grant money; its principal strongly objects, By Jan Baker Vernon — After abruptly terminating its contract with a Clifton firm that had been hired last April, Vernon’s council members heard an earful from the principal of the company at its Feb. 11 meeting. Among his comments, John Bruno threatened to sue Vernon if the contract isn’t reinstated. Bruno Associates was engaged nine months ago by Vernon to find and apply for grants on its behalf. The town signed a $50,000 contract with the firm and agreed to pay it out on a monthly basis. Then, at the Town Council meeting on Jan. 28, that contract was terminated. Council members passed a resolution that they said would serve as the 48-hour notice of termination, as required by the contract. They cited “performance issues as well as budget issues.” Not happy John Bruno, chairman of the board of Bruno Associates, and a Vernon resident, addressed council members at their Feb. 11 meeting. “The contract that was signed on the 26th of March, 2009 indicated that there was a 30-day termination period,” he contended. Noting that the previous mayor, Austin Carew, had signed for the town, he told the council it was their responsibility to “live up to the terms of the contract, which is 30 days.” Vernon’s lawyer, John Ursin, disputed this contention. “I will not stand idly by,” said Ursin. “Bruno Associates are not correct.” Bruno also contested the assertion that his firm had not adequately performed its job. “That is certainly not true,” said Bruno, who told the council that his firm has written many grant applications on behalf of the township. As an example, he said that when one of Vernon’s original applications was denied, his firm “filed and lobbied (for) and Vernon received $200,000.” “We met with officials in Trenton and we got you the money,” Bruno said. And, grants that could bring in another $1.35 million are still pending, Bruno told the council. “And that’s a lot of money.” In his protest to the board, Bruno said that his company’s “reputation is at stake and I have some important applications at stake including (for) your board of education.” He admonished the town council members that their hasty termination of his contract would adversely affect the township’s coffers as well as his firm’s good name. “Vernon made the mistake of saying our performance wasn’t good.” Enough time After his lengthy remarks to the board, Vernon’s Mayor Sally Rinker interrupted Bruno to inform him that he was over the time limit for his public comments. While Bruno said he “deserves more time,” the township’s attorney John Ursin cited the town ordinance that limits presentations to five minutes. Bruno would not take no for an answer and repeatedly interrupted the board, insisting that since he is a Vernon taxpayer he deserved more time and consideration, demanding that the board act immediately to reinstate his contract for at least 30 days. The township’s attorney reminded him that his remarks were made during the public comment period of the meeting and that action would not be taken.

I want to serve notice that I will file a lawsuit if the council does not act on behalf of the agreement.” John Bruno, Bruno Associates