A man from Kalispell who employs at-risk youth is in jeopardy of losing his business license in Whitefish after numerous people complained about aggressive sales tactics.

Operating as the Kalispell Youth Project, Dean Scheller hires youths ages 15 to 24 to paint address numbers and an American flag emblem on street curbs.

He and his workers have been going door-to-door in Whitefish the past few weeks asking people for suggested donations of $40 to $50 to paint their curbs.

But complaints to city officials — at least 15 calls to City Hall on Monday alone — prompted the City Council to ask city staffers to investigate whether there was cause to revoke Scheller’s business license.

Scheller operates as a small business rather than a nonprofit organization.

He says he pays his workers minimum wage or a little more. According to a flier he gives customers, “all contributions generated by the Kalispell Youth Project are 100 percent for profit to keep the project alive.”

He says the youths are performing a public service while earning money and learning a skill that raises their self-esteem.

“I’m teaching kids, ‘Don’t sell drugs, don’t gang-bang and pull your pants up,’” Scheller said. “I’m teaching kids to get out and do something.”

“I tell the kids to work hard, learn to be creative, and learn to apply yourself.”

Many of the youths he employs have spent time in jail and deserve a second chance, Scheller says. In the flier to customers, he says the project is creating jobs for youth who can’t get jobs due to their lack of work experience or background.

He also employs youths at his “dude ranch” in the valley making wooden flag poles that he sells for $600.

Most residents see value in the project, he says, but there are a few who don’t.

“Most like to see the kids out there doing something,” he said. “A couple people are pissed off at the world, but you can’t please everybody. A larger percentage see the value of my little project, and like what we’re doing.”

Scheller’s recent solicitations in Whitefish came to a head when his workers hit the Central Avenue district.

Whitefish City Manager Chuck Stearns said the city took at least 15 calls Monday about the workers being too aggressive and painting numbers for residents or businesses that didn’t want them. Earlier in the month, a number of residents called police with concerns about the project.

City Council member Richard Hildner took a call from a resident complaining of being “browbeaten,” and was told that not donating was showing a lack of patriotism.

“They didn’t feel good about this at all,” Hildner said.

Hildner also worries about vulnerability of the elderly and the steep $40 donation rate.

The youth project touts painting the numbers as a safety precaution so police and fire personnel can more easily find a home. Scheller says emergency workers support his project.

Whitefish Fire Chief Tom Kennelly, however, says the painted numbers have no positive effect on response time. In fact, it could make it more confusing if properties are mislabeled.

Stearns said at least one property was mislabeled Monday on Central Avenue. He wasn’t sure if the number was going to be fixed.

Scheller said he was given a permit by the city to work in the public right-of-way.

Council member Phil Mitchell said the group’s business license should be revoked if there are grounds to do so.

“They’re being pushy with people,” he said. “If someone comes to my door, I want to have the right to say yes or no.”

Scheller contends that if people don’t want their curbs painted, they just need to say no.

The city manager has the authority to revoke a business license with cause. The council directed city staff to look into that option.

Baldwin is the editor of the Whitefish Pilot.