Is Three Rivers unassociated with Character First?

Well the animal pictures are back so it looks as though they found the money to fund the Character First program for a while longer.

JOY vs. self pity

I'm wondering where the money came from.

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

I almost wonder if our city is practicing good recycling?

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. - Art Spander

Hmmmm could be. I was under the impression that you had to pay an annual fee for the right to use the title "Character City" or to use the material in a promotional matter but maybe not.

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

Hmm, let's find out. Time to make a few phone calls. With our seriously compromised budget I would hope they would not be using monies from our general fund to finance this.

Ronda[:0]

"I never consider a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." - Thomas Jefferson

Why does Character First get so much support from city officials while at the same time they completely ignore C.O.P. You could argue that the benefits of Character First are questionable as well as unverifiable. However an organization like C.O.P. can have a direct and verifiable impact on the community.

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Laissez faire: leave the people alone, let them be, in their economic activities, in their religious affairs, in thought and culture, in the pursuit of fulfillment in their own lives.

Probably because they’re associated with those rebel rousers over at Liberty1st! [:D]

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. - Art Spander

Alright now for my two cents worth...

Being a representative of C.O.P. I will say again that the support that we as an organization have received from the City (Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager, etc.) has been minimal.

C.O.P. has asked the City on many occasions to become involved in C.O.P. and support the organization. I have personally begged them all to take an interest in such a worthwhile group, after all it certainly doesn't cost them a red cent, to no avail. I have even had a heated discussion with a few of the Commissioners over their personal lack of interest and support.

In my opinion, Character First has proven itself a failure. Most of the residents in the area are barely, if at all, aware that Three Rivers is a Character City participating in the program. And in my experience, after questioning many friends, neighbors, and residents of Three Rivers, once the people are aware that it costs them money to be told what character traits they should display this month, they get pissed.

I will admit that I did not know much about Character First but when I became involved with C.O.P. and I considered running for Commissioner I did my own research (I figured that it might be an issue with the constituents that I would be representing so I wanted to know as much as I could). I was not impressed. I do not support it.

I will say that I have made every attempt to make it difficult for the City to ignore C.O.P., I have begged them to get involved (at no cost to them or the City), I attend every City Commissioners meeting I can (I've missed four since October of last year), I try to keep C.O.P. in the newspapers, and still there has been very little interest from the City officials.

Before this is taken out of context, I will state that the Three Rivers Police Department, thanks to Lt. Bringman, has been a huge asset to C.O.P. and have been an active and willing participant of C.O.P. I do want credit to be given where it is deserved.

As far as C.O.P. getting the shaft from the City because of the affiliation with Liberty 1st, well I think that answer is just to easy. C.O.P. left a bad taste in the City's mouth long before we were actually tied to Liberty 1st in any way.

The way I see it, being associated with Liberty 1st can not be a set back or an asset to C.O.P. They are two different entities in Three Rivers working for many of the same goals, to educate the people of the area about politics and quality of life issues and to ensure that Three Rivers is a safe and thriving community.

And that's just my two cents worth.

Dare to Care?
Casey Cox

Originally posted by tcintriplecreek

Probably because they’re associated with those rebel rousers over at Liberty1st! [:D]

Although my comment was meant as a joke, I think maybe it has some merit. I believe that when anyone has gone against the city’s views, plans, or ideals for one reason or another; or stirs the pot, whether purposefully or not, the city shuts itself off from that individual or group. If they ignore it, it will go away.

The only example I’ve witnessed that would prove otherwise is what occurred during the proposed development on Portage by Azalemum. That group had a large enough turn out, and enough clout, to voice their opposition and be heard.

The problem with CF and C.O.P. is that NOT ENOUGH people care, and that’s a shame. Nobody knows what CF is, but when you tell him or her what it is and the price, they laugh or grumble, they don’t call city hall and complain (not that they would listen anyway.) C.O.P. has good intentions, but a lot of people live by the philosophy that it’s not their problem. And with the masses believing in this philosophy, it pretty much leaves us wide open to the decisions the city makes for us in our absence so to speak.

As long as people don’t care the city will have its way, and why not? It’s kind of like, “If you didn’t vote, then you haven’t the right to bitch!” So this is where I give Buck credit for his efforts… <Here’s some credit Buck> for maintaining this site, so that those who do care, can at least be heard and maybe make a difference.

Oh yea, I apologize for lumping together all city reps, that's not the case. We all know there are some good people there.




The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. - Art Spander

Dear tcintriplecreek!
As a candiadate running for 4th district, I believe in the good of character first regardless. On the other hand if I'm elected in Novemberand character first comes back up' I'll be the first to admitt I'll be in favor of it, don't get me wrong I'm not going to be another rubber stamp.If someone comes in with a petition with 100 or so signitures, my vote will be with the 100 or so.

If you have any further questions email at burtonjohnjr@hotmail.com
thank you

First, Burton: OK, well I've gotten pretty good at this petition thing so... I will bring you that 100 or so signatures as soon as you are elected and then we will see how the vote stands.

Although my comment was meant as a joke, I think maybe it has some merit. I believe that when anyone has gone against the city’s views, plans, or ideals for one reason or another; or stirs the pot, whether purposefully or not, the city shuts itself off from that individual or group. If they ignore it, it will go away.

I believe you may be right in this statement, however, C.O.P. (that I know of) has never gone against the views, plans or ideals of the city. I believe it is the City Officials of this community who would be most concerned with the quality of life issues in Three Rivers and making the community a safe and thriving community.

Anyone who has visited the C.O.P. site knows that the organization is promoting the assets of Three Rivers and trying to get the citizens involved in the prosperity of our town. I ask, how could that possibly "stir the pot" or ruffle their feathers? As I said all along I think that perhaps the meaning of C.O.P. has been missed by the City and many of the residents of this great town.

The real point to be made here is that C.O.P. is an organization that is growing everyday, and we have no intentions of just going away or disappearing, we are an organization committed to fight for the community we love.


Dare to Care?
Casey Cox

Casey:

I too believe that C.O.P. hasn't done those things that I mentioned, but I would venture to guess that ego has played a part in your lack of cooperation. Someone’s ego may be threatened because they didn’t come up with the idea, so in a display of good character [;)] they simply ignore it or don’t get involved. You’re an outsider Casey, and I would imagine if a city staff member or representative created this we’d see an outpouring of support from the city.

Of course this is just my opinion, but how else do you explain their lack of interest in something that is so beneficial to the very public they serve, and more so, the public’s opinion of them?


The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. - Art Spander

Amen tcintriplecreek!

I do belive that you might have something there!

In time though (once the City sees that this organization is growing not disappearing) I feel that the City as well as the residents of Three Rivers will accept C.O.P. for what it is...

A bunch of concerned citizens working to make the community they live in, call home, a better place for us and our families. Who doesn't want that?

Of course this is just my opinion, but how else do you explain their lack of interest in something that is so beneficial to the very public they serve, and more so, the public’s opinion of them?

I have asked myself that same question a million times and still do not have an answer, nor do I think that I will get one from them. In time though I believe that they will see the benefit of supporting C.O.P., and if they don't then unfortunately, that is their loose.

C.O.P. has already proven that it does not need the support of the City to function and grow. We wasted an awful lot of time trying to get the City involved, now it is up to them to take an active part in the community that they represent.

The invitation to become involved with C.O.P. is open to all residents of Three Rivers as well as those who own a business or work in Three Rivers. For those that choose not to get involved, C.O.P. will still be fighting for a safe and thriving community for you and your family. That's what we do! Fill in the pot holes ya know!

Dare to Care?
Casey Cox

FYI,

To those who have opposed it: The City’s involvement in a Character Program seems to be drawing to a close.

To those who supported it: Once again I commend you for caring enough to get involved and try something even if we did not agree on its merit. Never give up fighting for what you believe in.


Excerpted from a report to the commissioners to be accepted on the consent agenda this coming Tuesday:

“…we have not been able to develop a large voice in the community that reaches our goal of having a community understanding of each principle. We have decided as a Character Council to allow the organizations that wish to continue with monthly bulletins to receive them from Character First directly…I believe the city will continue to promote citizens of character awards and use the material we have for annual service awards for our employees but we won’t be actively involved with character first or the Character Council. The city should continue to participate through the remainder of the this year to complete the original grant cycle.”

Daryl

"When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. Now I'm beginning to believe it.", Clarence Darrow

Daryl,

AMEN!!!! Sorry, I had to do it. [:D]

When was this brought to the commission and who was the spokesperson for that letter?

Thank you for the update.

Gretta

Gretta,

It will be at the meeting on Tuesday. The letter is drafted from the City Manager to the Commissioners as a report on the consent agenda. I doubt it will draw much if any comment.

Daryl

"It has recently been discovered that research causes cancer in rats.", Unknown