City Council hears debate, doesn’t change vision statement

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry City Council upheld its vision statement as it stands after Tuesday’s council meeting brought lively debate both in support and against the document.

The council cited a need for separation of church and state and being inclusive of all individuals regardless if you agree with their choice of gender identity or sexual orientation. The city council weighed in on the vision statement, saying it is essential to be inclusive of all people, regardless of a person’s personal beliefs or feelings.

“I believe that this (vision statement) speaks to anti-discrimination overall in government,” Councilwoman Valerie Thompson said.

Bonners Ferry resident Barbara Russell said the Boundary County Human Rights Task Force was founded as a collaborative effort by the ministerial association and local stakeholders in 1987.

“A coordinated effort of city, county, clergy, law enforcement, civic leaders and local citizens to stand against a church from out of state looking to relocate to Boundary County bringing views of intolerance and bigotry,” she said.

The meeting followed a significant turnout of both city and county residents in support of and against the statement the week before. Public comments at Tuesday’s meeting were spirited as well with comments culminating with Warren Mark Campbell, the pastor of Lordship Church, shouting at Bonners Ferry Mayor Dick Staples and council members.

During public comment, Human Rights Task Force liaison Craig Kelson spoke about Mayor Staples’ response to uphold the vision statement during his mayoral campaign.

“I’m here to thank you for what you’re doing,” Kelson said. “I’m sorry this statement has brought so much time and trouble toward your direction but I thank you for what you’ve done and think you did the right thing.”

Voicing opinion against the vision statement, Campbell said he wanted “sexual orientation or gender identity’ removed from the vision statement and detailed “gay cruising,” sexual encounter meetups in the Three-Mile Road area.

Denied extra time to speak, Campbell began shouting out of turn, which prompted Staples to shout back and say public comments were closed. Staples later apologized for his outburst.

In outrage over not being able to address comments made about the Lordship Church being a registered hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Campbell began shouting that he wasn’t racist.

“I’m not a racist … My son is dark-skinned and a meth baby and I love him,” Campbell said.

Since last week’s meeting, the city has received support for the vision statement by residents of both Bonners Ferry and Boundary County. City officials said there were more than 12 letters and emails of city residents in support of the statement.

• In other business, Councilman Ron Smith presented a proclamation in support of law enforcement which passed unanimously. Smith began to passionately detail why local law enforcement needed the proclamation in a time of backlash at police.

• Council detailed a plan to extend the community pool’s closing date until Sept. 5 because of the late opening of the pool facilities. While one councilmember voiced concerns over the costs, they chose to support it because of budgeted funds being available for the extension due to the late opening of the pool.

The council will check to see the pool’s feasibility and determine whether the staffing of lifeguards can be made to accommodate the extra month.

• After releasing a survey about naming the Wilson-Solomon corridor, the city council chose Selkirk for being the most nominated choice; according to the City Engineer Mike Klaus, designating the street is vital to opening the corridor because of potential confusion for emergency services.