Larry Hennessey, the Vicksburg native hired by the city in June to further economic development efforts, had his 90-day contract prematurely terminated Friday. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen cited tight economic times.

“In light of the budget issues we’re facing, we just don’t have the funds to continue his contract,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens. “He’s been working very hard, but nothing he’s presented us thus far has really panned out.”

Hennessey, paid $4,000 a month by the city, said he was not entirely surprised by the board’s decision to end his three-month contract early. His contract with the city will officially end Aug. 21, while it had originally been scheduled to run through Sept. 10. Regardless, Hennessey said, he will continue to bring interested investors to Vicksburg with the hope of developing new restaurants and attractions.

“I am more than pleased with the results of my work here, thus far, and I am still excited about the many opportunities in Vicksburg – even though they’ve cut me,” he said.

While working on behalf of the city, Hennessey said he corralled about 25 potential investors interested in developing, among other things, a movie theater, retail space, restaurant, and an 18-hold golf course in Vicksburg. However, he said, the 90-day time frame was not enough to seal any of the deals.

“You can’t do anything in 90 days of the magnitude I’m trying to do, but I’m going after these deals whether I’m on the city’s payroll or not. I have five big companies who are serious about coming here to put together some projects that would be great for the city of Vicksburg,” he said, noting he was not at liberty to disclose details.

Leyens said he would like to work out another contract with Hennessey, by which he would be paid a commission on delivered results.

Currently, the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce is in charge of attracting retail development to the area, while the Warren County Economic Development Foundation promotes industrial development.

Hennessey made a living selling insurance before working to promote economic development in New Orleans. He formerly worked as an account executive for Blanchard and Associates in Metarie, La., and also headed his own consulting company, Hennessey & Associates.

On the agendaIn other action Friday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen:Recognized Vicksburg Senior Center August Senior of the Month Ruth Barnes. Received nine sealed proposals to bid on garbage, recyclable and rubbish collection. Among those submitting proposals were Delta Disposals of Monroe, Buford Construction of Vicksburg, Warren County Waste Control Inc. of Vicksburg, MSI of an unknown location, Red River Service Corp. of Marlow, Okla., Advanced Disposal Service of Jackson, IESI of Monroe, Arrow Disposal Service of Abbeville, Ala., and Waste Management of Mississippi in Vicksburg. Listened to an update on activities of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation from director Annette Kirklin.Approved a request from the Baton Rouge Chapter AACA Louisiana Region Antique Automobile Club of America to reserve the River Stage Plaza parking lot on Washington Street plus parking on Crawford Street between Washington and Walnut streets from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 13.Appointed Brenda Love to the Vicksburg Convention Center and Auditorium Advisory Board, with the term to expire July 24, 2011.Adopted three budget amendments, including a transfer of $2,000 from the traffic department services budget to its capitol budget for the purchase of storage equipment; $28,880 to be transferred to the water treatment plant capitol budget for the purchase of two compressors, with $13,500 from its supplies budget, $6,540 from its repair and maintenance budget and $8,840 from its capital improvement budget; and $41,380 to be transferred from the administrative services budget to supplement gas and oil costs in the safety, police, traffic, ambulance, fire, inspections, street, community services, right of way, cemetery, landscaping, animal control, mosquito control, parks and recreation, water, sewer maintenance and vehicle maintenance departments.Approved and authorized the mayor to execute 2008 project agreement and operation and maintenance agreement for four sites, including Hills of the Valley, Bowmar Avenue, Halls Ferry Road and Alfred Drive.Approved a request from AT&T Corp. for the placement of buried fiber optic cable in the City of Vicksburg along Warrenton Road, Pemberton Square Boulevard, Porters Chapel Road, Bazinsky Road, Halls Ferry Road and Iowa Boulevard.Authorized the mayor to execute an engineering services contract with Consulting Research and Engineering of Madison for $17,595.Accepted letters establishing special assessment of, and adopted a resolution for cutting and clearing of, the following properties: 1504 Ethel St., owned by Leigh and Brian Geist; and 1400 Wisteria Dr., owned by Timothy and Maria Hermes.Approved a $1,055 addition to August 2008 advertising for the Vicksburg Main Street program.Approved the claims docket.In executive session, the board:Tabled a pay adjustment for one inspections department employee, as well as the transfer of one animal control employee.Approved the hiring of one police officer, a pay adjustment for one street department employee and two fire department employees.Approved the termination of three summer youth employees.Accepted the resignation of one police officer.