Hope is Real

Last evening, at City Hall, a public hearing was held on proposed updates to the zoning code. The Planning Commission has worked tirelessly. They listened. They compromised. And last night, after all their efforts to find a path forward, the Planning Commission unanimously passed an updated zoning code and forwarded it to the City Council.

That, my friends, is something worth celebrating! More than the fact that they advanced the updates it is HOW they did it. When the final roll call was called, every single member of the Planning Commission voted to approve the new update.

Please join me in applauding each of the volunteer Commissioners for their thoughtful contributions. It was a huge effort and was surrounded by controversy and often invented contention. Bill chaired a process that was open, and frankly, beyond reproach. Kenny, Chip, Vanessa, Mark, Tony and Barry, along with outgoing Councilmember Bob Buckner and incoming Councilmember Jeanne Benjamin, ALL deserve our thanks and congratulations.

Lat night's vote was not acrimonious. It was unanimous. The public comments were mostly gratitude and compliments. Right near the end of this process…I saw hope.

A real hope that this meeting could be how meetings could be. Conducted with respect and genuine thoughtfulness. A conversation rather than a pitched battle. It was nice and it meant something.

Yesterday morning, prior to the Planning Commission meeting, the Harbor Springs Public Works Department arrived at the front of our church. The congregation, I am honored to serve as a leader for, had voted to donate the pine that was planted next to the new church on Cemetery Road 30 years ago. It had grown tall and beautiful...and sadly into the building. So, First Presbyterian Harbor Springs asked the city if we could donate the tree so it could stand on Main Street to celebrate the season.

The tree, and its donation, have a special meaning to me. I asked Sara to marry me under the Harbor Springs Christmas Tree in the middle of Main Street. One of my very best days.

This has been a tough year for many in our community. There have been losses and heartbreak. And as a City, it frankly hasn't been our best year. And yet, after all we have endured as we come to the holiday season, we can say truthfully that we have overcome much and made real progress forward-together. It is worthy of celebration.

Hope feels good…let’s hold onto it.