An Argument Made: Sometimes, when you go slower, you get to your destination faster:
For the Government to have legitimacy, it needs to meet two requirements
1) To be engaging and transparent
2) To be believed they are engaging and transparent
350 voters signed a referendum because they did not think the city included their opinion and feedback on the zoning. 600+ property owners in Harbor Springs did the same.
“Reality is an undefeated champion.” – J. Bezos….
We do not need the Cty to grade its own performance. We each know our personal reality. You really can not convince each of us we were included in the new zoning roll out when we were not. And if you were not you should vote YES to make that point understood.
No amount of posturing by the city and its agents can change our personal reality. The reality is that how the city communicates does not effectively reach the voters or property owners. And shows zero introspection to do better. Using direct mail only after a referendum was passed, why not before?
Simply saying “We did” repeatedly does not create a reality.
Despite all the posturing, we still do not know specifically (I mean something longer than a tweet – like a 2 or 3 page plan with evidence)
1) How does this zoning enable affordable housing?
2) How does this zoning prevent more part-time residents?
3) How does this zoning prevent overdevelopment?
4) How will the City outsmart the capitalists who have other uses for HS property?
Many people want to volunteer and participate to help preserve the best of Harbor Springs and help it grow. They have tried to volunteer but never get through the process.
1) There are few committees one can sit on without being a voter
2) Not only a voter, but the mayor typically needs to appoint you
3) Sub-committees operate outside the light of zoom/minutes
4) While we all have learned to work effectively remotely, remote access to city meetings is mediocre. Remote does not mean out-of-state, it also means basic accessibility on a wintery night. (A city with a median age of 62). Hard to hear the meetings, ZOOM not working right, etc.
5) This City has thrived through the cooperation of voters, residents, homeowners, tribes, and area townships, but our new posture moves more and more to “You’re not a voter,” and “You are not a volunteer.” “They live outside of town.” and “Thank god they all left.”
If we want a stronger City…..
Explain how excluding all but voters helps?
Why do we exclude people from city boards?
Why has no one contacted the 350 voters who signed the referendum?
After Tuesday, the 350 voters will still know that their viewpoints were overlooked by the city.
Sometimes, when you go slower, you get to your destination faster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qPGbl2gxGqI