Strap in folks. This ole ram has penned another long one:

In 2022, the Merriam-Webster dictionary declared “gaslighting” to be the word of the year.

Around here, you probably think of the Gaslight District of Petoskey when you hear the term. Those charming streetlights in Petoskey’s downtown hung with wreaths and red ribbons during the holiday season.

But the reason Merriam-Webster gave the honor to the word “gaslighting” was far from charming. The term comes from a 1944 film with Ingrid Bergman called “Gas Light.” (There was a play and TV movie before, but Bergman is the best so we can start there). In the film a husband lies and manipulates his wife into believing she is crazy. Slowly, she becomes more isolated and seemingly delusional as gas lights flicker on and off in her mind.

Next up, Modest Change #2:

The new code allows for more approvals by administrative committee rather than special land use by entire planning commission to streamline processes (especially for more common requests).

Today, we begin a series highlighting changes in the new zoning code. These relatively small changes constitute the bulk of the recommendations the city council adopted in the new zoning code.

We are dubbing them: “The Modest Three.”

We’ve had some interesting interactions on here after launching a few weeks ago. The vast majority have been positive, some have not.

The vitriol from some petition people has been, frankly, disappointing.

The same group that sent misleading mailers, swarmed council meetings, called names, questioned motives, used the specter of lawsuits to sway the council to accept their deficient petition and place it on the ballot. Do we blame the council? No. Is public policy by threat of litigation healthy? No.

There is no scandal brewing in the new codes adopted for our town. They are mundane and unworthy of the melodrama some would ascribe. Fear not, dear reader. These rules to shape our surroundings were written by this season’s true diamonds. Each and every volunteer, bright, determined and worthy of our sincerest thanks.

The second big question we’ve heard goes something like: “This is a democracy. Why shouldn’t we just vote?” As big fans of democracy, that one is a bit harder to answer.

We’ve gotten several comments and messages that ask if we are afraid of a vote on the new zoning code. We are not. If there are enough signatures to ask voters to repeal the ordinance (and we assume there are), we are confident our community will reject the petition people’s position if given the choice and facts.

A mailer sent to residents in Harbor Springs asks the question: “Duplexes 35 feet tall and 8 feet from your property… is this what we want our neighborhoods to look like?”

Growing up, we watched Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. After the tragedy of 9/11 Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

It strikes this ole ram that when assessing who to trust on this zoning code business it might be instructive to look for the helpers. All those volunteer citizen committee and council members who even today are helping to make Harbor Springs special...they are all lined up on one side of this debate.

Listen to Lil' Nubbins. You have the power to say "no" because you live, work, play, volunteer and vote here. Don't sign the petition-its baaaaaaaa-d. www.weloveharborspringstoo.org