Page 26 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch November 29, 2013 City Formalizes Veterans Policy By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER OCEAN CITY – A formal Veterans Hiring Policy was approved by the Mayor and City Council that will place a veteran or spouse of a disabled veteran at the top of a qualified applicant pool. A couple of weeks ago, Human Resources Director Wayne Evans brought a potential Veterans Hiring Policy before the Mayor and City Council for deliberation. Evans explained the federal government administers a formal program to give preferential treatment to the selection and promotion of veterans and their spouses, widows or mothers. States may also have veterans’ preference employment statutes, but Maryland has not implemented a formal program. According to Evans, the federal government administers a pointsbased employment selection program requiring the use of validated civil service examinations for all covered job classifications. The federal program adds five points to test scores for veteran status and 10 points for disabled veteran status. Evans furthered, as there is no statutory requirement at the subpolitical level, any preference conferred upon veterans on the town’s initiative would be voluntary. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states in policy document N-915.056, “veterans’ preference statutes operate overwhelmingly to the advantage of men” and the commission further states “where an employment preference … is not mandated by statute … preference is not shielded from scrutiny under Title VII … and presumes the existence of adverse impact.” The pros in implementing veteran preference employment statute is it recognizes the sacrifices of citizens who have served their country, creates employment opportunity for a population segment who are firsttime entrants to the job market or reentering the job market, and expands the town’s applicant pool. At that time, Councilman Dennis Dare made a motion to have staff write a formal veteran preference policy to have the town hire eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans when their qualifications are substantially equal then nonveterans in the most qualified applicant pool, and to have the policy return to council for review and hopefully be approved to be added to the Town of Ocean City Policy Procedure Manual. The council voted unanimously to approve the motion. This week Evans returned with a formal Veterans Hiring Policy that states, “in recognition of their sacrifice and commitment in defense of our nation, the Town of Ocean City adopts this veterans hiring policy to SEE PAGE 28 There’s NEVER Been A Better Time To Call Me! BELMONT TOWERS SOLD TRACEY W. FLORA REALTOR® Not Your Average Beach Condo! Must see to appreciate. Super modern/eclectic, with tons of unique touches. Watch the beach goers and boardwalk sights from your 6th floor balcony. Listen to the waves from you living room or granite/stainless kitchen. Huge master suite with Jacuzzi has two closets, dressing area, and views to die for. Living area has fireplace and wet bar. 2BR has full bath. 3BR has jack and jill bath. Private/Secure garage with assigned spaces, fitness room and rooftop pool make this a one of a kind buy! Cell: 410-925-0285 OC: 410-723-3669 Toll Free: 888-253-9933 Fax: 410-723-1415 Email: tracey.flora@yahoo.com www.BeachitwithTracey.com Whether You’re Buying Or SOLD Selling...Let’s Talk!