Doing what’s right
Hi there and my sincere thanks.
I have wrestled with what to write after the last few weeks. It's been a heck of a roller coaster.
The sun feels different, perhaps we have finally turned the corner. But it is Northern Michigan, spring today...who knows about tomorrow.
I have been convinced, like the weather, our town has turned a corner. Like spring though, it’s hard to tell. The signs are all there. People, here in town, seem genuinely pleased (and rightly so) with the city's response to our ice storm. Locally, people have been acting like a community in the most genuine and fundamental sense of the word.
This Monday, the City Council met for 4.5 hours. Among the issues discussed was the price tag for the city's response to the ice storm. As of now, it stands at around $270,000 and will grow. In a previous world, most of that would have been covered by FEMA. After all, the ice storm was the very definition of an emergency.
Things the city would like to do are on hold because we were hit by both a natural disaster and politics beyond our control. We’ve experienced a storm that, if it happened in other places or in other years, our fellow Americans have gladly pitched in to help. Just like we have helped for generations with our tax dollars when we sent them to other places for disaster relief. Our understanding of the deal was when the disaster hit our doorstep, others would return the favor. I am confident they would, if they were given the chance.
It is sad when much-needed assistance is guided by a grudge instead of common good. Helping Northern Michigan is the right thing to do. Let's hope it gets done.
I talk a lot here about the virtue of community. This year we have worked to compromise with those in town with whom we disagree. We have given up some things we really worked hard on (and cared about) to try to find common ground. It is what communities do. We have done the right thing and listened and adjusted.
The Planning Commission has been going line-by-line through the zoning code for months. Anyone can join in person and on Zoom to pick apart every word. It’s time-consuming, tedious, and tiring. But they are doing it because it is the right thing to do. They are making progress. Huge thanks to them.
Over these last few weeks, you have generously supported and cheered for the robotics team as they took on the world. You surpassed their fundraising goal and made sure the kids could travel without worry and compete without concern. You all thought it was the right thing to do and so you pitched in to help. Thanks to each of you.
Through your support of the Petoskey Harbor Springs Community Foundation granted over $30,000 in support to non-profits working to clean up our area. That included $5,000 each for the Harbor Springs Food Pantry, the Manna Food Project and Northmen Den (locally the Harbor Hut). These three agencies all help feed those most vulnerable among us. It is the right thing to do, so they do the work. Thank you to the volunteers and donors.
It is Ram Scram on Saturday. If you are not cheering on the runners, volunteers are hosting a clean up day. Community members are gathering at Zorn Park at 8:30 a.m. to fan out and help those who need it around town. If you need assistance or need more information, call (847) 209-2427. Thanks to the organizers and all who will grab a rake this Saturday morning.
As a community we are making progress. It is not always crystal clear what the right thing to do is, but we are trying. And trying is ALWAYS the right thing. Thanks for all you are doing for Harbor Springs.