What's in a slogan? Exploring the mysterious mottos of 5 Pittsburgh-area communities
In 2001, Mt. Lebanon leaders created a 17-minute video to promote the community and its school district. The video needed a title, and “A Community with Character” fit the bill.
“I honestly — I just made that up,” said Susan Fleming Morgans, the municipality’s public information officer. “I’m sure nowadays things wouldn’t be so informal. I’m sure it would now be a six-month long project. You’d have to involve the whole staff and all the elected officials.”
Despite the informality, the name stuck.
“It seemed to me we have a lot of character among the people in our community … who volunteer their time to make it a better place to live,” Morgans said.
Several factors led to Morgans’ idea for the phrase. First, the district’s elementary schools had recently launched a character education program. Second, the community had formed its first historic preservation board, aimed at taking pride in the area’s various housing styles from bungalows to Tudors.
It’s also a neutral slogan that can be infused with many meanings.
Maybe a resident likes the town’s sidewalks, welcoming neighbors, dog-friendly vibe, or nature — “maybe that’s something you think gives our community character; you can take from it what you will,” Morgans said.
The phrase is used on marketing materials, such as the community’s website, paperwork for new residents, and magazines.
“What does character mean? It means something different to everybody, but it’s always good,” Morgans said. “I’m retiring in March, so maybe that will be my legacy: Mt. Lebanon, a community with character.”
A Community with Character
Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny County
In 2001, Mt. Lebanon leaders created a 17-minute video to promote the community and its school district. The video needed a title, and “A Community with Character” fit the bill.
“I honestly — I just made that up,” said Susan Fleming Morgans, the municipality’s public information officer. “I’m sure nowadays things wouldn’t be so informal. I’m sure it would now be a six-month long project. You’d have to involve the whole staff and all the elected officials.”
Despite the informality, the name stuck.
“It seemed to me we have a lot of character among the people in our community … who volunteer their time to make it a better place to live,” Morgans said.
Several factors led to Morgans’ idea for the phrase. First, the district’s elementary schools had recently launched a character education program. Second, the community had formed its first historic preservation board, aimed at taking pride in the area’s various housing styles from bungalows to Tudors.
It’s also a neutral slogan that can be infused with many meanings.
Maybe a resident likes the town’s sidewalks, welcoming neighbors, dog-friendly vibe, or nature — “maybe that’s something you think gives our community character; you can take from it what you will,” Morgans said.
The phrase is used on marketing materials, such as the community’s website, paperwork for new residents, and magazines.
“What does character mean? It means something different to everybody, but it’s always good,” Morgans said. “I’m retiring in March, so maybe that will be my legacy: Mt. Lebanon, a community with character.”
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