Idaho Falls Temple missing from airport mural
Idaho Falls ID Post Register 8Nov99 N1
By Paul Menser

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO -- An advertising contractor for the Idaho Falls Airport has removed the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and other recognizable commercial buildings from a mural that welcomes visitors to the airport. Residents of the city have complained about the absence of the Temple, which is a significant part of the city skyline.

The agency, Interspace Airport Advertising of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was simply following its own policy, which seeks to make any images neutral, so they don't endorse any particular religion or business. But the absence of the Temple has caught the attention of many local visitors, who have complained. City Council members Joe Groberg and Brad Eldredge say they have received about 15 complaints about the mural.

Airport Manager Mike Humberd has become worried about the problem, "After the first comment, I called back and said, 'This isn't going to work,' " said Humberd. "I'm not here to be controversial about anything." Council member Eldredge said that Humberd, who only moved to Idaho Falls recently, may have led him to go along with Interspace's recommendation, "He's new enough that I don't think he realized the impact."