Description

May 17, 2000

MOTION

WE MOVE THAT the city support the principles of the International Association of Character Cities by issuing a resolution pledging to become known as a City of Character. This should be modeled on the resolution passed by Indianapolis on November 29, 1999 (Attachment A).

WE FURTHER MOVE THAT the city implement character training for its police and fire divisions, as approved by Chief Streicher and Chief Wright.

WE FURTHER MOVE THAT the city accept a contribution from the Character Council of Cincinnati to pay for all training costs.

STATEMENT

Over 63 cities have passed resolutions declaring their city to be a city of character (Attachment B). The goals of character cities are to: strengthen citizens, families, and the community by promoting excellence in character; recruit leaders to model and promote good character; train local government leaders and employees in character; and educate business leaders on the
concrete benefits of corporate character training. Oklahoma and Georgia have declared themselves to be states of character (Attachment C).

The Character Council of Cincinnati (CCC) has developed an extensive program of character training which will be implemented as follows:

• Cincinnati Public Schools have endorsed the citywide initiative for Character training. Superintendents, principals, and teachers from public, private, and parochial schools will attend an introductory meeting on teaching character principles to our children. Follow-up training for implementing the program in their schools will take place later this summer and fall.

• All four local television stations have agreed to donate airtime to broadcast public service announcements on monthly character qualities featuring Anthony Munoz.

• To date, 20 business leaders and corporations have committed themselves and their employees to the Character First!® business curriculum. Over 50 corporations have expressed interest in implementing this program in their business.

The city of Cincinnati needs to initiate the lead in accepting this program of character training.

Sheriff Ray Nash of Dorchester County, SC, President of the Police Dynamics Institute, has taught character training to police and fire departments in cities throughout this country, including Fresno, CA, Highlands County, FL, Belton, TX, Charleston, SC, and Hawaii County, Hawaii (Attachment D). In November, 1999, at the request of Col. loneta Vintileanu, Director of Crime Prevention with the Romanian National Police, Sheriff Nash traveled to Romania to teach a three-day training seminar to 45 Romanian crime prevention officers. The Inspector General of the 55,000 man Romanian National Police has invited Sheriff Nash back to present additional training.

Police Chief Thomas Streicher and Fire Chief Robert Wright have reviewed the police dynamics program and believe it would be beneficial to improving the quality of service, professionalism, and morale in their departments. This training will also serve as an important tool to rebuild relationships between the police and the community. CCC has agreed to fund the entire cost of this training. Chiefs Streicher and Wright will begin scheduling the character training as part of their inservice program this year.

SIGNED BY:

Charlie Luken
Phil Heimlich
Pat DeWine
Paul Booth
MInette Cooper
Alicia Reese
Charlie Winburn