LODI AWARDED VETERAN FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITY CERTIFICATION
From left, appearing in photo: Councilmen Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., mayor Scott A. Luna, Peter Lupo and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin. Photo by Paul Roe
LODI AWARDED VETERAN FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITY CERTIFICATION
[Lodi, New Jersey – February 18, 2020] Lodi was presented with the Veteran Friendly Municipality Certification this evening by Peter Lupo of the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce. During a brief ceremony at the start of the regular borough council meeting, Mr. Lupo presented the certificate to Lodi mayor, Scott Luna, councilmen, Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin.
The borough clerk,Carole D’amico, municipal manager, Vincent Caruso, and several other members of the Lodi government were also on hand at the council meeting.
Mr. Lupo praised the borough for its recognition of the challenges faced by veteran owned businesses and for the hardships veterans often face when trying to find meaningful employment. He added that Lodi goes beyond words and takes action to make substantive improvements to economic opportunities for veteran businesses in the community.
The certificate reads, in part, “This municipality strives to make the lives of veterans better and is therefore awarded the Veteran Friendly Municipality designation for 2020”.
Municipalities earn the certification by passing a resolution to award 6% of public contract dollars to veteran owned businesses and to achieve workforce composed of 5% veterans. The Lodi resolution also provides for 3 veteran only parking spaces in municipal parking areas and a promise by the township to proactively notify veteran businesses of upcoming bids and contract opportunities. To date, the certification has been presented to Paramus, Hackensack, Garfield, South Hackensack, Rochelle Park, Fairview, Garfield, Marlboro Township, South Plainfield, Union City, Freehold, and a continually growing list of municipalities.
The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote by the borough council. It will give veterans a chance to be more competitive for public bids and contracts
The mayor and council accepted the certificate from the chamber and paused a moment for a group photo.
The New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a 501c6 nonprofit organization focused on making New Jersey’s economy fairer to veteran owned businesses, as well as veteran job creation.
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