Councilman Hopes to Make Marlboro Veteran-Friendly

Councilman Lt. Col. Jeff Cantor said he just wants everyone to be on the same page.

Cantor has been championing veterans services on the local level in Marlboro Township, bringing Veterans parking spots to Town Hall and working to offer a discount for township services such as recreation programs and building/zoning permits.

Currently, the township offers a $250 property tax rebate to veterans, an ordinance that has been on the books longer than Cantor can remember.The Marlboro Councilman would like to increase that rebate, but he knows money is hard to come buy.

"If there's a way we could increase that rebate, I would want to do that. But money is tight," Cantor said.

So Cantor has been forming some different ideas, which he'd like to help implement on the state, county and local levels.

"There's no universal approach to dealing with veterans in New Jersey."

Cantor's ideas range from state employment and training programs to state school discounts for veterans and their family members.

"I've brought this to some legislators, so far I think it's falling on deaf ears."

New Jersey offers civil service employment preference to veterans if the veteran is the most qualified. Cantor said the veteran has to be hired if he or she falls within the top three candidates, but he feels veterans could perform higher if the right training was offered.

"Military certifications don't transfer to civilian life. But with the right programs, they can," Cantor said.

In New York, veterans get extra points on their civil service exam for having served their country.

Cantor said he'd like the state to partner with universities and private companies to offer a training program for veterans, where graduates of the programs would be qualified to work in the state with private businesses politicians are wishing would stay within our borders.

"It would be a permanent pipeline of qualified candidates," Cantor said.

In Marlboro, Cantor's personal goal is maintain a 25 percent hiring rate of veterans, something he said he's done successfully in his private business.

"We're really behind in this," Cantor said. "I'd like to be the go-to guy for this, I'd like to help the state. We could really make such a difference here."

Until Cantor can accomplish his state goals, he said he'll continue to work in Marlboro for veterans. Cantor hopes to get veteran parking spots at the park and ride lots and offer more discount programs, like Swim Club memberships.