A bit of “humble pie”

This has ended up being a long posts. A very fine communicator in our community cautioned me early on in the endeavor about being succent. I am wordy as heck. Definitely one of my many shortcomings.

And so, it is with my "shortcomings” that we begin.

I received an email a few weeks ago that I have been thinking about a lot. It suggested that I have a bit of "humble pie." The well-made point was because the "Yes" folks prevailed and the "No" side lost, it was our "side" that needed to persuade the "Yes" voters not the other way around.

It has stuck with me. In part, because I think there is some truth to it. And, honestly, we could all use a bit of humility and self-reflection.

I have tried to keep what I say here and on the website accurate. I have not always gotten it right, but I have tried mightily. To be very clear-I am not working to get the repealed code reinstated. It's gone. Done. That bit is over. Efforts are underway now to work on a new code to accommodate some very valid concerns of our neighbors. I am four-square in support of that process. If I have conveyed anything other than that in these posts, I am sorry.

There are several things I regret. Like, I did an interview for Michigan NPR that sure sounded like I thought people who live on the bluff were only worried about their views. I don't think that is true. It was a long interview. We talked about lots of things. I could have made my point a lot better. Views are one of a hundred different concerns. It is not fair to suggest that it is the only or even the biggest issue some neighbors on the Bluff had with the zoning code.

I am sorry about that.

I am also not an expert on zoning. And I think I have sometimes wanted to appear like I am. What I have tried to express is support for the judgement of my neighbors. The majority of my neighbors rejected the new zoning code. The emailer is right. To be consistent I should support that judgement as well. Since the vote last fall, I have tried to promote a positive outlook and civility. I don't have to agree with the outcome last fall to support the good work that is taking place now. Both things can be true. I supported the revised code that was repealed last fall. I also support the effort to relisten, re-engage and rewrite it now.

The email note was a good reminder about trying to walk the talk.

Elections have consequences, a lesson we are all feeling more each day as a country. They have consequences locally as well. I am proud of the work we did to organize prior to the election and continue even now. We lost. To be fair, we were out spent 10-to-1 and the election was decided 54%-46%. A swing of 4%. If you divide the money that was spent by the number of "Yes" votes, their campaign spent about $40 for each vote. In the end, it was decided by a total of 73 votes. Had 37 people changed their mind, the "No" side would have prevailed.

I mean, we lost. But our scrappy group of locals held our own.

The writer of the email that suggested a bit of "humble pie" for me did make a great point about those of us who voted "No" needing to reach out those who voted "Yes."

Together, we have made two big bits of progress on that front.

1. The community has been made aware of some of the "shortcomings" of the current code last updated twenty years ago. Things like, right now, under the 1976/2005 code there are no restrictions on "adult" businesses locating downtown and things like mobile homes and shipping container structures are allowed in many residential neighborhoods. In talking through those and other gaps in the current code, consensus has been reached that the code needs updating. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to move forward with an update. That is progress.

2. It has been generally recognized that the current code is a bit of a Frankenstein's monster. It is hard to understand and often gives contradictory instructions. The Planning Commission has decided unanimously to move forward in recrafting the code using the much improved format of the repealed code. Not the code itself, but the format. That too is progress.

So, I think we are doing better with bringing people together, but I also know there is more that can be done. I may have some news on that front in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Okay, one last point. We all need to be careful not to see the work we are doing as a game where when one "side" scores a "win" a tally is put up on a board. I have been guilty of that line of thinking. It is not helpful. If we are to get back to boring city meetings, we need to find as many places we can where everyone "wins."

More common sense, consensus, and less contention and conspiracy. Progress!

Some of you know I have worked in public service in a previous life. Elections are a reflection of our priorities. So, I went to go look at our election results rom last fall.

The presidential race brought a lot of new voters to the rolls. The zoning issue also brought a few new voters who changed their registration from elsewhere. There is nothing illegal about that, but it likely shifted some of the local election dynamics.

As I was looking through the election data, a few odd things stood out. For instance, in one of the most important presidential elections of our lifetime, 10 people in our town went to the effort of filling out a ballot, but didn't vote for a presidential candidate. A total of 935 votes were cast in Harbor Springs only 925 for President. That's kinda weird.

In big national elections, it is common for more people to vote for the big races and fewer to vote for what are called "down ballot" races. In November, 52 more people voted for president than on the zoning repeal, that's pretty normal. Too bad, but normal. But here is where it gets odd. There were 17 more people who voted on the repeal issue than voted for Mayor. So, some of our neighbors made it all the way down the ballot to the local section. They were concerned enough about the direction of our community to vote to repeal the zoning code. But then didn't bother to vote for Mayor? Again, weird.

Our little community supported Democrats for President and US Senate by narrow margins but elected Republicans for Congress and State Representative. State Rep. Parker Fairbairn worked his tail off and received the second most votes of any candidate or issue from the voters of Harbor Springs (504 votes in support). On a side note: he didn't win in his first go at running for the office (he lost in the primary last time, but beat the same opponent this time). Rep. Fairbairn is a good reminder that with hard work people can change their minds and majorities are not set in stone.

Incidentally, the most "yes" votes were cast in support of our public schools operating millage-a testament to our great schools (517 votes in favor).

Okay, so what do any of those wonky election numbers stuff have to do with me having a bit of "humble pie"?

Well, the point I am trying to make (perhaps poorly) is that none of us can claim to know exactly what voters were thinking when they cast their votes. I have never claimed to know what all 405 voters who voted "No" wanted other than they voted not to repeal the new code. Why did they vote that way? No idea. What arguments persuaded them? No clue. I have never claimed to speak for all 405 "No" voters. That is not my place. If you ever hear me do it, it is wrong and you should call me out!

My guess is that the 478 neighbors who voted "Yes" also had all kinds of reasons of their own for their vote. We know they voted to repeal the new code. Beyond that, it is hard to say, but we have seen lots of great suggestions and concerns from folks who voted “Yes” at the Town Halls and Open Houses. There is lots to talk about, and it sure seems like folks appreciate another opportunity to have their concerns heard.

So here is my piece of "humble pie," I may not have wanted to rewrite the code but I am glad we are going through this process and am proud of the civility we are displaying as a community.

Thank you friends for indulging me in this exercise. It is not very humble to think you all want to read a really long message of self-reflection. I get that. My sincere thanks for coming along.

Here’s to a little humility all around. Delicious, delicious "humble pie" with ice cream!