O'Connell defends company's status

It is with great dismay that I read the letter to the editor that you published on April 2, 2008, by Phil Rico, berating my grants consulting firm. Perhaps before erroneous articles are printed, it would be better to investigate their authenticity. The first thing that needs to be known is that Mr. Rico is a past employee of my firm who is now working for another grants consulting firm that is interviewing to obtain the Town of Amherst grants consulting contract.

Secondly, Mr. Rico would not even have this career except for the fact that he learned it at my firm. He is also ill-informed, as I have many local clients, as well as clients all across New York State. My firm's ability to raise millions of dollars for my clients can be seen by accessing my Web site, www.grantsareus.com. And as for losing the contract previously, Mr. Rico is aware that another employee took it away from me, and what he does not know is, three years later, she threw in the towel because she could no longer work with the town. And I quote from her letter dated May 30, 2006, to Supervisor Satish Mohan, "We find that we are no longer able to conduct our normal course of business given the frequent delays in acquiring approvals to proceed with grant applications… ."

For 20 years I have provided grants consulting services to many satisfied clients, and to print something that bashes my reputation leaves me heartsick. This firm employs nine people and continues to expand to meet the needs of an ever-growing client base. And for Mr. Rico to make the statements that he has, without any real information about my work for Amherst, makes me wonder how anyone could employ him.
Jean K. O'Connell
J. O'Connell & Associates
Grants Consultants