Shakespeare and “The Fonz”

This weekend the Elementary and Middle School kids are playing to sold out crowds at the Performing Arts Center. For many it is their first time on stage. I cannot imagine how it must feel to get your first standing ovation from a full house.

I was never talented or confident enough to perform onstage. But I have always loved words (I know, it is a shocking admission). My high school had a stellar English Department. Mrs. Sutherland (who recently passed), Mrs. Young, Mrs. Dust and Mrs. Mary Francis Wagner all taught me the right words can shape our world.

Mrs. Wagner introduced our class to Shakespeare. Now, I am no expert on the Bard and often struggle to understand what he is saying. But, as I think about our kids on stage performing Little Mermaid, I know some of them will someday do Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night or Julius Caesar. In those performances, they will learn there are many bits of universal wisdom in the works of Shakespeare.

This week, I have read a flurry of excuses for why it’s clearly totally fine for a witness in a lawsuit against our city to have a meeting where a resolution to that lawsuit is discussed with the Mayor, Councilmember and Clerk. Afterall, some say, it doesn't technically violate the Open Meetings Act (OMA). I haven’t called for anyone to step down over this whole thing-but give me a break! A friend reminded me of a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet that sums things up: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Despite being 425 years old, it is still one of those lines we all know and instantly understand. When someone denies something a little too strongly, they are likely guilty of what they are denying. If we add this to the constant gaslighting, what becomes clear is some are feeling some pressure.

I think most of us find all this spin divorced from reality.

In 1977, on an episode of the series “Happy Days,” Arthur Fonzarelli “The Fonz” jumps over a live shark while water skiing. The ridiculous episode became synonymous with being so desperate to come up with something new you end up going way too far. It becomes clear to everyone watching you’ve run out of ideas and things need to come to an end.

Friends, I think we are seeing a shark being jumped. And it would be funny if it wasn’t so frustrating.

We are so close. After 1,700+ hours, dozens of meetings and three formal hearings, the zoning code updates our neighbors have worked their tails off to craft has been sent to the City Council for their approval.

And now a tiny handful of people want to delay its passage again. One forced another formal public hearing (I don’t think she attended any of the other hearings this year-I wonder if she will come to the one she asked for). Another says we should wait for a new City Manager (even though the City Manager does not have a vote on the zoning code). And yet another says because of all the delay the City Council is now too busy to consider the zoning code (I wonder if that has been the whole point of all the unnecessary delay-to now say, "it's too late").

I think we are ready to move on. I don’t think there is any real reason that we cannot start 2026 with a clean slate and without discussions of the zoning code hanging over our heads. It is time.

I began this effort, with my little pink horned ram, to help get the zoning code updated so we can move confidently into this century as a city. Unlike the effort on the other side—that’s all my effort has ever been about. When the zoning code passes, Lil’ Nubbins and I will exit the stage.

Maybe, for some, that is a good enough reason to pass the code. Over the last year I have posted 286 times, and we have grown to 577 followers. Heck, in the last 90 days, this page has gotten over 251,253 views. I don’t even understand how that is possible and am incredibly humbled and grateful.

I know this effort has done a lot of good. It has both produced light and reduced the heat. As Shakespeare writes in the Merchant of Venice, "How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world."

There is a lot to celebrate in Harbor Springs. Petoskey is jealous of our beautiful Christmas tree. The Planning Commission unanimously voted on updates to the zoning code. Chief Knight is going to shepherd us through our City Manager transition. The Food Pantry has collected over 100 turkeys for the family dinners of those in need ahead of Thanksgiving. The last boats have been pulled from the lake and the greens are being hung with care.

As we begin this season of light, our little town has a chance to shine. With gratitude for all the hard work, with acknowledgement that nothing is perfect, and with a sincere hope that we can move forward together, let’s pass the updates to our zoning code and move on.

To quote the Bard, “All’s well that ends well…” and also, famously, "Shareth this post with thine friends."