Is this Irony?

For the past couple of years, our civic conversation and attention have revolved around the zoning code. I kinda don't want to think about how much time I have devoted to the discussion. When I think of the time I’ve spent, my heart goes out to the volunteers on the Planning Commission.

The bottom line is, as a community, we have spent A LOT of time on the zoning issue.

I was thinking about that yesterday as I walked past the giant home being built next to Shay Park on my way to watch the Halloween Parade.

I don't know if you have walked past lately, but I'm pretty sure the safety office at my work would pass out if they saw how unsecure the site is. You can reach out and touch piles of construction materials from the sidewalk. The caution tape and barricades have been torn and displaced for at least a year.

Had the safety barricades been in place it would have been harder to put the two campaign signs that are currently wedged in with the debris in front of the construction site.

This same construction site had a "Vote Yes" sign out front last year. The candidates whose signs are in front both have been skeptical of the updates the Planning Commission has suggested to the new code.

And yet, all those signs have been placed in front of a home that is being built after getting significant waivers from the BZA because its plans do not follow the zoning code. Alanis Morissette ruined my understanding of “irony” but I think the sign placement may be ironic.

This week, we have seen multiple examples in our civic life of people believing that the rules only apply to others.

Last year, to pass the repeal of the zoning code nearly $58 per vote was spent. It had to be one of the most expensive campaigns per vote in the country. Not our finest example of democracy. It was, however, a great example that money talks loudly and is effective.

The zoning code conversation will mostly affect those of us who are not millionaires.

Those with means will hire the lawyers and spend the money to win their appeals. I honestly doubt, like the construction project next to Shay, that the rules that are being written now will have much impact on those who can afford to get around them. Money talks loudly and is effective.

I am tired. I know you are too. To be clear, I don't begrudge those who are wealthy. I just want them to file the dang campaign paperwork like everyone else does. I want them not to have secret meetings with city staff. I want them to not use their company letterhead to tell us who to vote for.

It’s been a rough week. Shenanigans in City Hall. Our city manager resigned. A bunch of unethical mishegoss. But last night, we helped friends pass out candy to hundreds of adorable, well-behaved, polite kids who were having an absolute ball in our little town.

It was a good reminder of what makes Harbor Springs special. And why it is worth fighting for. I needed it.

Thanks as always for reading and all your hard work for our community. Remember to "Share" if this message resonates with you. Be gentle and kind to one another-we will get through this together.