COEUR d’ALENE — Mayor Jim Hammond on Wednesday said he wants to see a community with less division, more unity, and called on faith leaders to help make it happen.

Hammond is asking pastors “to encourage the values and the interactions that will promote a welcoming and respectful community.

“I need the pastors' help in doing that,” he said.

But it must extend beyond Coeur d’Alene’s city limits and beyond government.

“We're all part of North Idaho and Kootenai County. And we must step up to ensure that we are a welcoming and kind community, devoid of discrimination, bigotry and intolerance."

Hammond, who was elected to a four-year term in November and took office in January, delivered a 20-minute talk to about 200 people at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce's luncheon on Wednesday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

He outlined some of the city’s recent successes, like Atlas Waterfront Park, the adoption of a 20-year comprehensive plan and a reduction in crime.

But the former senator, Post Falls mayor, and principal also pointed to challenges. He cited rising housing costs, the labor shortage and disrespectful behavior displayed by some people at a few recent city meetings.

Hammond said what makes the area so special — scenic beauty, downtown charm, art, parks, employment and education opportunities — is at risk.

Everyone must be part of protecting it and creating an environment of respect, he added.

Hammond said while people can have political and religious disagreements, they also have much in common — more, perhaps, than they realize.

“And that's where we need to focus,” he said.

He offered an example. He said when lumber mills and mines closed in the past, civic, government and business leaders came together to develop economic solutions.

“Some of those were Democrats, some of those were Republicans, but they all gathered together because we had something more important than defending a particular political issue,” Hammond said. “We had a community to save and we have another opportunity to save our community, to save our culture and to keep our economic vitality strong.”

Paul Van Noy, pastor of Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d’Alene, attended the luncheon. He said he was on board.

He said churches have a key role in the community and should be involved in addressing its needs.

He believes Hammond's call for harmony could happen.

“I think that people need to be able to hear from one another, we need to show love for one another. And that means considering the byproduct of every decision we make,’ Van Noy said. “Some decisions that we make that might look as if they are benefiting a certain group. Sometimes, they have a great cost for another group. We need to be able to look at all these things carefully and make better decisions and good decisions for our community.”

Chamber President and CEO Linda Coppess said they stand with Hammond, too.

“We’re excited to partner with you in the years ahead, to set tone, to drive conversation, to foster genuine community with the goal of maintaining the quality of life that makes North Idaho so special,” she said.

Throughout Hammond's speech, statements from members of the City Council flashed on a big screen to drive home his points.

"Coeur d'Alene is my birth-town and hometown," wrote Dan English. "It is a great place to be and to be from. We all need to work harder together to live up to our proud legacy."

"Let's leave the woodpile higher than we found it," wrote Amy Evans.

Hammond has been a Kootenai County resident for nearly 50 years. He said a united community must be more than a vision.

“We need an actual vehicle. I don't want to just talk about what we should do. Just like we did before, we need to put together a plan of action on how we will move forward," he said.

Hammond said citizens need to play a big role in reaching this goal, and asked those who wanted to be part of it to reach out to him.

“You as professionals and members of our community, you have a stake in ensuring a great future for us,” he told the crowd. “I ask you to come forward and work with us and develop that stronger future."