26315 / 70.8% Yes votes ...... 10854 / 29.2% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

AMENDMENT TO THE STOCKTON CITY CHARTER TO PROVIDE VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS TO ANY HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN WHO HAS SERVED 181 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN ANY BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

The Stockton City Council, on its own motion, has placed this Measure on the March 2, 2004, ballot, to amend the Stockton City Charter to provide veteran's preference points to any honorably discharged veteran who has served 181 consecutive days in any branch of the United Sates Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the United States Coast Guard.

The City of Stockton has recognized the service of military veterans by awarding five additional points in the examination process to those veterans who apply for entry level positions with the City. Currently, the City Charter of the City of Stockton provides a five percent (5%) preference to all entry-level applicants, who have served "in time of war or any expedition of the armed forces." However, the nature of international conflict has changed. The United States has not been in a declared war since World War II, even though military personnel have fought numerous conflicts, including Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, and Iraq. This Measure would allow application of the preference points to any honorably discharged veteran who has served 181 consecutive days in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and United States Coast Guard. The veteran's preference would apply to entry level examinations only.

A majority vote of the electorate is required for the adoption of a Charter amendment. The Charter amendment shall become effective upon approval of the election results by the Council and upon filing of the Charter amendment and election results with the Secretary of State.

If you desire a copy of Measure N, please call the Stockton City Clerk's office at (209) 937-8459, and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost.

For more than 65 years, the City of Stockton has recognized the sacrifices of military veterans by awarding five additional points in the examination process to those veterans who apply for entry level positions with the City. Measure N would continue that tradition while eliminating outdated language and expanding the process to fit today's needs. Currently, the Charter limits the award of five points to veterans who served in "war" or "in any expedition" of the armed forces. However, the nature of international conflict has changed. The United States has not been in a declared war since World War II, although military personnel have fought numerous conflicts, including Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, and Iraq. Today, military personnel, abroad and at home, are at risk in an undeclared war against terrorism. The current Charter does not recognize the change in security needs caused by the terrorist acts of September 11.

If passed, Measure N would award five additional points to all military personnel who served 181 consecutive days and who were honorably discharged from any branch of the armed forces, including the National Guard and United States Coast Guard. The veteran's preference would apply to entry level examinations only. This would treat all military personnel uniformly and would do away with confusing technical distinctions. The amendment would award points to all veterans without regard to when or where they served the country.

The measure would also make it clear that those who served in the Air Force are entitled to preference points. In 1935, when the Charter was drafted, there was no separate Air Force and, thus, it is not listed in the Charter as a branch of the Armed Forces. The amendment, if passed, would award points to all veterans regardless of branch of service.

Measure N will allow Stockton to reward veterans in a manner consistent with today's needs. Please vote for Measure N.

Submitted by:

/s/ Matthew Wetstein, Chair, Civil Service Commission /s/ Evelyn Asia, Vice Chair, Civil Service Commission /s/ Tino Adame, Veteran /s/ Gary Podesto, Mayor, City of Stockton

(No arguments against Measure N were submitted)