McNally seeks to have ex-cons considered for city employment

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor John A. McNally is seeking city council’s endorsement on a policy that would make it easier for ex-cons to be hired to work in city government.

A resolution, sponsored by the mayor and up for a vote by council Wednesday, would remove questions about criminal convictions from city employment applications and replace it with a statement describing when criminal checks would be conducted.

“It would take the step of removing that question from applications and taking out potential

pre-employment biases from those who have come back from prison,” McNally said. “I want people back here who want to work and earn a good living.”

McNally mentioned during last year’s mayoral campaign helping those with criminal records find employment in the community. He met with officials with the Mahoning Valley Organizing

Collaborative, a community organizing group, to discuss ways to make it easier for those returning from prison to find jobs in the city.

“I think it’s a little bit unusual, but it’s not unheard of,” McNally said of his policy.

Before anyone can be hired, the city will require that person pay for a criminal background check from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. If a person has a criminal record, the city will have department heads and the human resources department make a recommendation as to whether that person should be hired.

McNally said the final decision rests with him.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com