SYRACUSE - A character-building program for families in Syracuse could begin soon if the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce can garner support for the program within the community, according to an announcement at yesterday's chamber meeting.

Recommended by Rollin Swanson as a worthwhile project, chamber members Brian Redshaw, the Rev. Daniel Haifley and executive secretary Steven Hite met earlier in the week to discuss the program. Their recommendation to the council was given a green light.

Everyone at the meeting received a copy of the book "Achieving True Success: How to Build Character as a Family," a publication of the Character Council of Indiana. The book defines character and offers a step-by-step approach to character building.

It tackles such issues as gentleness versus harshness, gratefulness versus unthankfulness, orderliness versus confusion and obedience versus willfulness. In each instance it defines how the attributes exist in the home and their rewards.

Although the Wawasee schools and many churches already have character-building programs, a chamber-sponsored program could help businesses focus on the person, which, chamber officials said, dramatically diminishes employee theft and sick leave.

If the program is adopted, the chamber will ask the town council to pass a proclamation to qualify Syracuse as a City of Character.

In other business, the chamber discussed the Aug. 9-11 sidewalk sale and garage sale days. Maps to registered garage sales will be available in the chamber office or at the Aug. 11 barbecue sale at Lakeland Youth Center. Ribs, pork chops and chicken will be sold.

The library will sell used books. Doc Miller's and The Paper Place, both out of business, also will participate in the Sidewalk Sales Days in an attempt to sell remaining inventories.

Next year the chamber hopes to make this an even bigger weekend by bringing the circus to town and encouraging activities by other organizations. [[In-content Ad]]