Michigan Taxpayer Sues Township Over Fire Department Spending

Posted by: Curt Varone November 30, 2014 0

A citizen who is unhappy with fire department spending is suing a Michigan Township. Todd Bruning filed suit against Bedford Township claiming that agreements to give money to two firefighter associations is illegal.

Bruning, a former firefighter and frequent critic of the Bedford Fire Department, claims the Township’s agreements with the Temperance Firefighters Association and the Lambertville Firefighters Association violate the Michigan Constitution.

MonroeNews.com is quoting the complaint as saying that township funds given to the associations are “paying time and service bonuses, summer and winter bonuses to fire fighters and family members, buying birthday and retirement gifts, throwing holiday parties, buying dinners and drinks for members and officers during association meetings and paying for trips to sporting events and amusement parks.”

The suit does not seeking damages beyond costs and attorneys fees. More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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