A few updates

Hello friends!

When we arrived at summer on the calendar, the weather did not mess around. Whew.

Still, I’d rather this than be without power and shoveling that's for sure. As we approach the Fourth of July and things get crazy, I wanted to send you an update.

First, I have been a bit quiet here on purpose. Things are going well at City Hall. People seem to be coming together. At most of the Planning Commission meetings, it is hard to tell who was for the old zooming repeal and who was against it.

It would be hard to construct a process that has been more productive or inclusive. Even some of the loudest voices who fought for the repeal of the code last fall recognized the extraordinary effort the Planning Commission has made to listen.

The leading voice of the opposition told the City Council last week, "It's taken time to get here and it hasn't been easy but we're here now and that matters. Over the past months we've had a real debate not just about zoning but about how decisions that shape our community get made. It brought emotion and it tested relationships, but it came from a place of care for our homes, our neighbors, and our future."

Well said!

The Commission has been thoughtful, respectful and deliberate.

Frankly, it is boring. And given the drama that has been dialed up in other areas of our civic life here in Harbor Springs, I will take boring anytime.

I said that was my goal, to see if we could get back to boring-and we just might.

The second update is to confirm that letters outlining the concerns about the influx of new voters in Harbor Springs who may not be complying with election law have been mailed to the authorities. I’m happy that smarter people than me are now looking into the issue.

My sincere thanks to all who are helping to promote civility and common sense in our city’s discussions. It is really gratifying to hear a new and productive tone.

Let's keep working to make it last! Stay Cool, Harbor Springs!