The Atmore City Council used their last regular meeting of 2011 to pledge their support to what they call one of the most important efforts they are involved with in any given year.

Monday the council officially signed a statement of support pledging they would do all they could to aid the cause of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency dedicated to helping members of the National Guard and Reserve re-enter the work force following time spent in military service.

ESGR representative Charlotte Boyle addressed the council Monday and touched on some of the high points of her organization’s objectives. Boyle said the ESGR is on a mission to make sure all uniformed service members are able to take advantages of the rights and responsibilities afforded them under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The ESGR also helps veterans looking for jobs on a personal level, assisting in employment searches and helping fill out résumés.

Boyle said she was thankful for the support given by the council and the community of Atmore.

“I’ve never asked one person to sign the statement of support who said no,” she said.

Atmore Mayor Howard Shell said the council is “happy to once again support the ESGR.”

In other business the council: Approved a resolution hiring DMD as engineer on upcoming work to Atmore’s sewage system; approved the Community Development Group as grant administrator for upcoming sewage work; approved Christmas bonus payments of $1,000 to all full time city employees and $500 to all part time city employees; approved the filing of a beer and wine application by soon to be opened Discount Tobacco Outlet located on South Main Street.