Brundage: 'I Wish Them All The Best'

It's been a tumultuous few weeks for former Councilman Alan Brundage.

He recently celebrated the birth of his daughter, but missed a council meeting soon after when she got sick.

This Sunday, Brundage lost his father. Monday, he was made a captain in the Bergen County Police Department, where he has served nearly 16 years.

On Tuesday, he after serving there two years, citing the possible conflicts he could face in a command position with the BCPD.

"It puts me in a position where I am now directly involved in services and grants that we would be in direct competition with Paramus for," Brundage said.

Leaving the council was bittersweet for Brundage, who is happy with his upward career move, but feels there was plenty of work for him to do as a councilman. He expressed hope that incoming council members can work together with the Republican majority to tackle the borough's fiscal problems.

The borough faces a $1.9 million pension deferral in 2012, its police force is still undermanned and the fire department is in need of new equipment.

"The budgets really aren't a Democrat problem or a Republican problem, it's a Paramus problem," Brundage said.

Local Republicans have 30 days to nominate three people to finish Brundage's term. The council will decide on a final replacement, who will have to run for re-election in November.

A former Marine, Brundage said his proudest accomplishment as a councilman was helping establish the Blue Star Banner program to honor returning veterans in Paramus. The borough to Borough Hall as a Veterans Memorial in a ceremony in May.

Brundage ruled out a return to politics, at least while he is still employed by the county. But afterward, he's leaving the door open.

"After the meeting [Tuesday] night, I had a conversation with a few of the former elected officials, and one of the things we joked about is, you never say never," Brundage said.

As for the current and future council, Brundage said he hoped they would work in the interest of Paramus.

"I wish them all the best," he said. "I'm still watching, so they'd best behave."