March 29, 2026
Dear Community,
Following recent news coverage referencing We Love Harbor Springs, we received a number of calls from community members asking for clarification. We welcome the opportunity to provide that context.
Local journalism plays an important role in shaping public understanding, and we respect the work of our newspaper and its reporters. At the same time, the most productive path forward is one where community members and the press share a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and respectful dialogue—particularly on matters involving City Hall.
Harbor Springs is a small community entering a new season. As we move into spring and toward summer, we have an opportunity to address important issues thoughtfully while maintaining the sense of respect and community that makes this place special.
We Love Harbor Springs is a community group of residents and property owners committed to fair, transparent public processes consistent with state and federal law. We do not direct City Council or City Hall. We do what engaged citizens do: attend meetings, review public documents, ask questions, and share information with the community.
The City Manager search is one of the most consequential decisions this Council will make, and we appreciate the care being put into it. In a letter to City Council, we suggested one addition that could strengthen the outcome: a dedicated public input session at a City Council meeting on Zoom, structured around focused questions and open discussion.
That level of public participation, which was referenced in the recruiter’s initial approach, did not occur.
There is a practical reason this matters. What residents say publicly about this role becomes the standard by which it will be evaluated. Capturing that input before a hire provides the Council with a clear, community-informed baseline and allows residents—who bring deep experience across business, government, and civic life—to help shape expectations in advance, rather than in hindsight.
During the hiring process, the Harbor Light described We Love Harbor Springs’ involvement as “self-appointed.” This characterization does not reflect the reality of ordinary civic participation and risks discouraging the very engagement that open government depends on. Public review of important city decisions, including a city manager search, is not interference—it is a fundamental part of accountable governance.
Our focus remains on process, transparency, and informed public discussion.
Respectfully,
Karin Reid Offield