Both Sides are Not the Same

Friends, both sides of the debates taking place in Harbor Springs are absolutely NOT the same.

1. Last fall, the We Love Harbor Springs folks raised $20,000 in undisclosed, unattributed, money and spent $40 per vote to repeal the zoning code.

2. They asked people to change their registration from their primary residence elsewhere to their home here to sway the results.

3. They hired a political consulting firm downstate to flood our mailboxes with misleading postcards.

And it worked. We can argue the ethics, but the results were clear.

Seventy-five more people voted for our mayor than his opponent. Twenty-five more people voted for the last Councilmember over another candidate. And 73 more people voted to repeal the code than keep it.

Had 4 people in every 100 voters changed their mind-the results would have been different. (That holds true nationally, as well).

I think many who voted to repeal the code thought to themselves: "Well, what can it hurt to take another look at the code?" I'd wager 4 of every 100 voters thought that at least.

And so, that is what resident volunteers have spent hundreds of hours the last year doing---taking another look and making the code better.

After nearly a year of hard work, it is definitely better.

But despite all the hard work, nothing seems to matter unless it is exactly what a handful of people want. No compromise. It must be exactly as dictated. I have heard some who I previously found reasonable join in this view. It’s too bad.

It is not how civic politics is supposed to work. But some who have a great deal seem to want to give very little.

Here are a few examples of efforts to find a common path taken since we voted last fall. Much has been given:

• Every word of the code has been reviewed with four new Planning Commissioners.

• Dozens of public meetings have been held in-person and online. Meetings were convened throughout the summer, inside City Hall and out. More public meetings are scheduled for September.

• The draft code confines duplexes only to areas where they are allowed by the current code. Heights are limited to 35 feet city-wide. Changes were made to districts, like the CBD, that were requested.

• Oh, and we got out of the RRC (A suggestion I supported in an effort to find common ground. At the time, I was told it wouldn't matter and would likely embolden the obstruction-but I was naive and thought it would make a difference. I think I was wrong).

All the big things the small group of "repeal" leaders demanded have happened. But, again, it doesn't seem to matter. The goalposts keep moving.

Now they have made a public call to raise nearly 4x the amount spent last fall ($75,000!) in dark money, to grab a majority on the Council, fire hard-working staff, and run residents off Boards. And get this, they want to hire a planner from Grand Rapids to take over advising the zoning process.

We Love Harbor Springs is registered in Toledo, Ohio. The political consulting firm they used to win last fall is located in Lansing. The planner they want to take over the zoning code is from Grand Rapids.

What part of that reflects our community?

The goal seems to be to replace local control with governance by people who live most of their time outside of Harbor Springs. All, ironically, under the guise of insulating Harbor Springs from a changing outside world.

Some of the strongest supporters of my effort here will disagree with me being so blunt. But I think it is time to call a spade a spade.

To anyone who will listen, I say, look around. It's already happening. Long-time volunteers are tired of the abuse and resigning from Boards and Commissions. We are losing talent and knowledge.

Who will replace them? Right now, you have to be a resident to serve. Do we really think some of our new "residents" (who live elsewhere most of the year) will come up to sit on a Tree Board meeting in January?

One side is volunteering their time and not asking for any money. They are earnestly listening and working to advance opportunities for full-time residents. They are thinking hard about our future and trying to find a path forward paved with compromise and common sense. The other is obstructing every single step. They are using grievance as an organizing principle. Worried primarily about their own properties, they are filling meetings with name-calling and vitriol, and anger.

Both sides of this debate are NOT the same. I urge you to ask those running for Council who they stand with. Do they support resident volunteers or do they think we need more advice from Toledo, Lansing and Grand Rapids? Are they for all of us, or just those who are paying for their campaigns?

I can say with complete confidence that there are people who are actively trying to diminish the voices of those whose only home is within the city limits of Harbor Springs.

So far, it has worked for them.

We have City Council elections coming on November 4th. I hope we can take a step toward reducing the chaos and grievance that mirrors our national politics. Solutions at City Hall need to reflect all of us, not just those who can spend the money to amplify their voices and influence.

It's up to us, Harbor Springs. Time to wake up.

("Receipts" for my statements in this post can be found by scrolling through the attached pictures).