Of Mermaids and Managers
Hello there, Harbor Springs and all the ships at sea.
In a few days, the kids at the Harbor Springs Middle School debut their production of "The Little Mermaid" at the Performing Arts Center. Performances are this Friday, November 21st at 7pm and Saturday, November 22nd at 2pm & 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or in advance from our friends at Between the Covers.
There are so many good lessons in the story about loving where you live and who you are. About finding and valuing your unique voice. And about never trusting devious sea witches whose best friends are eels. All amazing life lessons for our talented Middle Schoolers.
Life so often imitates art. Some lessons really are universal no matter how old we get.
Aside from reminding you about this weekend’s theatrical performance, I wanted to provide an update on things at City Hall since the election. Our newly elected Councilmembers have been sworn and took the stage to get to work this week. I have to say, sincerely, I have been impressed.
Since the election, the Planning Commission passed the proposed updates to our zoning code, unanimously. In a move we should all value and respect, Councilmember Benjamin lent her support to the measure publicly.
This week, the new Council took on several matters and in most of them, there was a sense of a return to civility and community.
The Council wisely returned both former Councilperson Buckner and new Councilperson Benjamin to the Planning Commission. Continuity and experience were valued by the Council. At a time when we are all valuing a positive tone, several members of our Council (including our newest) should get credit for being pitch perfect.
On that same note, the Council agreed to appoint Chief Knight as interim City Manager early to allow him to be an understudy for Victor. We all know, like, respect and trust Chief Knight. He will bring steady, calm, continuity and experience to guide the city until we find the right fit for a new City Manager.
To that end, the City Council released a request for proposals for search firms to help find someone to fill Victor's leading role permanently.
As for the next steps for the zoning code, it turns out any member of the public can ask for an encore formal public hearing before the Council acts on the proposed updates. One member of the public has requested a hearing, so we will have one. The Planning Commission has held formal public hearings on September 18, October 16 and November 13. One more hearing before the curtain (hopefully) comes down on this process won't hurt.
There is a lot to be upbeat about as we head to the end of the year. There is always a chance things wont go exactly as planned, but I have a great deal of hope we are going to finish strong-singin’ from the same sheet music.
This process has been challenging. But there have been little things to enjoy...like, I hope we can all take real pleasure in being able to get Chief Knight and the Little Mermaid in the same post. Ta-da!
Stay kind, Harbor Springs. Sending good thoughts for great shows to our Middle School musicians (and remember to not trust sea witches or eels)!