A Pep Talk

A Pep Talk from Kid President

Hey there. Of all the posts I have written, this one might be the toughest. So, hang with me, please.

Last night, after multiple meetings and discussions with people I respect and care about, I joined the call to discontinue Harbor Springs' pursuit of RRC certification.

I am the resident appointee to the RRC committee. People I disagree with in so many respects were lined up to oppose RRC. People I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with, and value, spoke out in favor of the RRC.

In the end, the reason I supported and worked for the Council's unanimous decision to stop our RRC effort was straightforward.

As I told Council last night, I just cannot see a path forward where we come together as a community as long as pursuit of RRC certification is hanging over our heads.

It is not fair. The arguments against the RRC are misinformed at best, and deliberately manipulative at worst.

The state did us zero favors. It is hard to argue that the RRC is not about redeveloping our city when the name of the program is, "Redevelopment Ready." I am told they are looking for a new name. But it is too late for us.

In the end, the benefit of taking all the RRC agitation and argument off the table in the hopes it will help us move forward outweighed whatever additional good we could gain through certification--at least to me.

Having worked on the RRC committee, I can say with certainty it did a great deal of good in our town even if we don't apply for certification.

For instance, All the posted agendas and packets, the citizen engagement plan, the ability to join via Zoom all are part of the RRC. The way the city fills its boards and commissions is far better and more fair because of the RRC. Internal financial processes, public accountability, and transparency are all better because of RRC. We have a Capital Improvements Plan because of the RRC.

There are a host of best practices the city has adopted because of the RRC. Things every single resident can look at and say, "Yes! That is a great idea."

City staff were directed by two City Councils to pursue RRC certification. They, and a host of resident volunteers, have worked for nearly 6 years to do the good work required, and are now 95% to certification.

With all the good it has done, no one could explain to me how we could successfully move forward on a host of important issues while pursuing RRC.

We have made extraordinary progress on our zoning code rewrite. But, I am confident when a few things didn't go how some folks wanted, the RRC would be used as a reason to scuttle the whole discussion.

It is not fair. But I think we can agree...it is reality.

So, I along with others had the hard conversations and worked to find a way out. Gotta say, none of us feel great about it. But, if it helps to heal Harbor, it will be worth it.

I think that is what Council felt. I also think prioritizing bringing people together over political victories is worth celebrating-even if we are not jumping for joy.

Okay, what's next?

Well, we laid out a challenge to the folks who were using the RRC to divide us. That challenge was to recognize this as an inflection point.

The most common concern I heard while talking to folks about the RRC is...it wont matter. If we bend and take it off the table, there will just be some other made-up boogie man that will take its place.

So, my plea last night was to stop finding reasons to divide and start finding reasons to come together.

Now we see how much folks really love Harbor Springs.

If you need to talk or want to share your concerns, feel free to message me here or head on over to the website and shoot me an email. Always happy to hear from neighbors-even if we disagree.

Yesterday was President's Day. After I got home from Council, my kids reminded me of a video they find hilarious. It was the pep talk I needed. Take a second to take a listen to the "Kid President" by clicking on the video.

Let's try to be on the same awesome team. (And, frankly, I hope I am not wrong about this-but I sure could be.) Let's keep moving forward and cross our fingers. Thanks to each of you for all you are doing for Harbor Springs.