Character counts with Sarah Palin

Character counts with
VP candidate
By Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate, used the services of an Oklahoma City group when she was a mayor in Alaska.

"She was the spearhead in getting Wasilla (Alaska) to become a community of character, as the mayor,” said Steve Menzel, director of the International Association of Character Cities, part of the Character Training Institute based in downtown Oklahoma City.

About 170 cities have passed resolutions to be character cities through the program, according to the organization's Web site. It is similar to the Character First program, which also is administered by the institute and is for families, businesses, schools and law enforcement agencies.

The Wasilla City Council passed a resolution in April 2000 stating its intent to become a city of character by encouraging the community to promote such qualities. Palin, then mayor, signed the resolution, Menzel said. He said he looked up the resolution after U.S. Sen. John McCain chose Palin as his running mate.

Palin had attended a conference of the International Association of Character Cities and apparently took back information to the city council, he said.

Cities usually pass a resolution after city officials hear about the concept or at the request of residents, he said.

"When a community sees that they want to emphasize character in the workplace, in schools and most importantly moms and dads teaching it to their children, you start to have a communitywide character initiative,” he said.

Menzel said he's met Palin twice in the past three years when she attended meetings of the Character Councils of Alaska, a nonprofit group working with the Character Training Institute to develop initiatives in communities.

He said he's overwhelmed that someone he's met and talked with, as well as her affiliation with his program, is on the national ticket.

"She is a solid lady and will bring great dignity and great character to the White House,” Menzel said.

Palin's selection also will perk his interest in the remaining days of the campaign.

"We sure hope she doesn't forget the character component now that she's in the limelight,” Menzel said.

The International Association of Character Cities was formed in 1998 to help equip families to build character and help communities reinforce character among their citizens. It provides resources, training, contacts and advice to city leaders.
It is a division of the Character Training Institute, a nonprofit based in Oklahoma City, which was founded largely through the efforts of Tom Hill of Kimray, Inc., an Oklahoma City manufacturing company. Hill developed Character First to combat employee problems, including substance abuse, high workers' compensation costs, high turnover rates and high absenteeism. Kimray said the program improved morale and productivity.