We Are
Harbor Springs

We Love Harbor Springs is a long-term movement formed by residents, neighbors, and business owners who are committed to preserving the things that make Harbor Springs special to all of us.

Small changes can be good—but it’s important that we don’t sacrifice our historic charm and high quality of life for the sake of reckless growth.

With so many varied interests, how can we better ensure that everyone is represented?

While the rest of the world accelerates, Harbor Springs maintains a unique charm. It is a great mixing bowl of new and old, with a deep history. Part of our community is present year-round. Part of our community have homes in Harbor Springs but live elsewhere for portions of the year. Other Harbor Springs citizens are in town once a year, every year, for generations. And all parties need to be heard.

 

What is We Love Harbor Springs?

We built this organization because the character of Harbor Springs is unique. It is the product of great people from all parts of our community. These people include voters, full time residents, part time residents, generations of families, area townships, and occasional visitors. To properly manage donations to support studies, research, publications etc we created a 501(c)4. We represent no one constituency. We are a collective of 1000+ people from the community with different political views and economic backgrounds. We have more voters than seasonal residents.

 

The city is faced with big decisions that will impact the culture of Harbor Springs. It is harder and harder for the City leaders to engage the breadth of the community. And in some cases City leaders find it easier to leave people out. It’s not apathy. Effective, valid survey gathering is critical and continuous communication is hard work but mandatory.

 

We will invest in sound research and simplify the issue for clear understanding. If the city is focused on an issue, and citizens are confused, our role is to engage the broader community. We will  use technologies and analysis to keep people informed.

We will help with legal support when the City resists citizen input.  If a group of voters want to run a referendum, or encourage good people to run for office, we help them understand the process, but never dictate their platform. We will attend and publish a summary of what we find – current issues or areas of concern – in our weekly newsletter, when part time residents find it hard to track the in-person meetings in the city.

 

We will change the language of the City Charter to be in line with the U.S. constitution and state law.  For example, w found that the city charter makes the referendum process vague and confusing.

 

We will seek a pause in the process if needed, guide citizens on their rights, and find better solutions.  If changes to zoning drive up the cost of housing and push out long-time residents, we will find a plan and funding for affordable housing, and we will find the investors.

 

More people are now talking about sitting on City Commissions and engaging in the discussions. The recent citizen led-referendum had support from every demographic and neighborhood in Harbor Springs. Our most active members are all full-time residents of Harbor Springs and area townships.

 

We have no opinion beyond transparency and engagement. We focus on ideas. We only care that the people of Harbor Springs, no matter how often they are here, have access to the best information on the matters that impact Harbor Springs. Through that process, we can strengthen the character of Harbor Springs.

 

Yours Sincerely,

We Love Harbor Springs Inc – An organization to support people communicating with the City of Harbor Springs.

 

Board of Officers:  

  • Maureen Kenney President 30+ Year Part Time Resident
  • Tim Patton VP Harbor Springs Voter, Business Owner
  • Janie Jenkins Treasurer Harbor Springs Voter
  • Mark Wagoner Secretary – Mark also serves as legal counsel for WLHS

Supporters and Volunteers

We have 30+ people who help write content, canvas, conduct research, attend meetings in City Hall and host a tent in Zorn park on the the weekends.  They are all dedicated in one way or the other to their community in Harbor Springs, in Michigan, and in other professional endeavors.  Content published under We Love Harbor Springs authorship is typically a combined effort of several people.

 

  • Karin Reid Offield – My background in equestrian promotion, interest in land conservation, and successful collaboration with the community in Sedona, Arizona, protecting land from manufactured housing development, gave me confidence for involvement with WLHS. I am attending City Council, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, and Redevelopment Ready Community meetings to understand the process of Harbor Springs leadership. https://www.rfvhorsecouncil.org/karin-reid-offield.html
  • Carter Williams – Professionally, I am focused on national policy and innovation to cure diabetes, reduce metabolic disease, and improve agriculture/health.  I enjoy the small community and waterfront activities in Harbor Springs.  I value the sense of community across generations and the desire to preserve what is unique in places like Harbor Springs with a sensible approach to growth.  I am frustrated over the last 5 years we are losing touch with our neighbors.  Our strength is a combination of Harbor Springs residents, homeowners, and visitors.
  •  Researchers – Harbor Springs is like no other place on earth, blue waters, pine forests, pure diamond snow. Harbor Springs, it is a place to share and yet also to preserve. We all have developed a keen interest in our history and now, our place in time. Along with my WLHS colleagues, we strive to provide fact and precedent, aim, purpose and methods that will guide further research that are the backbone of the articles WLHS shares with the public. One does what one can.  Help us to protect and preserve what means so much to so many.
  • Mike and Mauri Kilborne – Please vote YES on the ballot proposal to send the new zoning code back to the Planning Commission for revisions. We do not want Harbor Springs to lose its charm and history in favor of being noted as a  “Redevelopment Ready Community.” We want the new Council members to represent ALL residents of HS!”
  • Jay Kenney – As an internal medicine doctor, I focus on providing care at home to improve patient health and well-being. My involvement with We Love Harbor Springs is rooted in a deep appreciation for Harbor Spring’ natural beauty and historic character, which are essential to its role as a place of peace and respite. In recent years, however, unnecessary conflicts—such as those surrounding the Redevelopment Ready Communities initiative, paid parking, the Zorn Park playground, M-119 re-routing, contracts awarded to active City Council and commission members, and now the zoning —have disrupted this harmony. I believe that new leadership on the City Council is needed to prevent these conflicts, protect our community, and preserve the distinctive, peaceful character we all cherish.
  • Maureen Kenney – “Until five years ago, no, I was not politically inclined, nor did I attend city council meetings because I didn’t even know who they were,” Kenney told the News-Review. “But now I know. And if it’s an issue that is going to impact the beauty and the long-term preservation of the historic aspect of Harbor Springs, yes, we’re going to get involved.” Kenney said her concern about the zoning changes was based on the council’s plan to try to rush it through the approval process.
  • Add your name, and thank you all!