Cities Differ On Morality Program Some Leaders Hope To Start Character Cities In N. Idaho; Others Just Glad To Leave Conference

North Idaho city leaders gave mixed reviews to a controversial Character Cities initiative after a national conference last week.

Eleven people from the Panhandle, including six mayors, attended the International Conference for Building Cities of Character in Indianapolis.

Some of the mayors plan to incorporate the program in their communities - pitching it to schools and police departments, civic leaders and local media.

The Idaho Character Foundation, created by businessman Dan Pinkerton, paid for Panhandle leaders to attend the event. The International Association of Character Cities, which put on the conference, is affiliated with the Character Training Institute - a nonprofit group that provides training, resources and support to raise moral standards in cities.

Although a majority of the North Idaho delegates were impressed with the event, Coeur d’Alene Councilman Chris Copstead said the group’s strong Christian influence troubles him. He said he was held against his will to listen to “religious talk.”

At the conference, Copstead said, there was no television, telephone or radio in his room. Fire escapes were locked shut, and his wake-up alarm was a speaker on the wall that played spiritual and marching music.

During conference meetings, Copstead said, he heard shouts of “hallelujah” and “amen.”

Copstead tried to get a flight home but couldn’t.

“This is a fundamentalist Christian group,” the offended councilman said. “We’re talking fire and brimstone.

“I’m not chastising anyone’s beliefs, … but it’s not the duty of the government to get involved in a religious revival.”

Unless there is a huge public outcry, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Judy said, the city won’t try to make Coeur d’Alene a Character City.

“Based on (Copstead’s) feedback and my not being there, I don’t think it’s going to be a priority right now, not for us,” Judy said.

Other North Idaho mayors, however, support the program and hope to see their communities become Character Cities.

Post Falls Mayor Gus Johnson said he thought the conference was beneficial.

And Mayors Bill Moe and Lanny Spurlock - from Spirit Lake and Athol, respectively - said they hope to bring the Character City idea to city council members in the near future.

Spurlock brought back nine videos, several books - even a packet for nearby Bayview - all published by IACC. They are now available for residents to check out at Athol’s Community Center, City Clerk Charlotte Hooper said.

But Sandpoint Mayor Paul Graves, who is also an ordained Methodist pastor, said he’s a bit wary of IACC’s program. Although some ideas were good, Graves said, he has no plans to bring the idea to council members.

“I felt that it was intrusive for me,” Graves said.

For example, Graves said, part of one conference presentation included an altar call, where attendees could accept Jesus as their Savior.

“I simply am not comfortable with overt religious language - especially in a meeting where people aren’t expecting it,” Graves said.

Like Copstead, Hayden council member Nancy Taylor felt she was taken to the convention under “false pretenses.” In one meeting with just women, Taylor said, she was told to be subservient and obedient to her husband.

“It’s not the government’s place to put morals in people’s homes,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to ensure someone’s beliefs aren’t infringing on someone’s rights.”

Last year, Spokane Mayor John Talbott attended the event in Indianapolis and brought back the idea of Spokane becoming a Character City. The concept was met with public disapproval, and Spokane’s Human Rights Commission voted not to endorse the program last June.

But for the past year, the program has worked “tremendously awesome” in Spokane County’s juvenile detention center - even on a limited basis, said Dennis Crumley, shift supervisor. Several months ago, the center received a $1,100 grant to incorporate the character-building program.

On May 1, 37 employees and the 60 youths in the center will adopt the entire program.

“It sets a standard, and that’s important,” Crumley said of the program that emphasizes one virtue each month. “It convicts people to do what’s right.”

In May, employees and youths at the juvenile center will focus on “attentiveness.”

Crumley has worked at the center for 21 years, and he said Character First is one of the best programs he’s seen in a long time. For example, employees who used to be late now come to work on time, and sick leave has declined, he said.

Taylor insisted she’s not against having “good character,” but believes the IACC’s program has ulterior religious motives. Instead of embracing Character First, local governments should support local civic groups, she said.

“I don’t think we ought to spend taxpayers’ money to try and force moralistic programs,” she said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: AT A GLANCE The program

Character First is a program promoted nationally to encourage moral values in government and other institutions. The program encourages people to improve themselves by adopting a different value trait each month, such as forgiveness, truthfulness, gratefulness and orderliness.