The Referendum: Street Stories

What we learned from our neighbors during the referendum.

The Brief

• The Referendum is on the Ballot. Vote Yes for the Referendum.

• Early voting begins October 6th. 50% of votes are likely cast by late October.

• There is an opportunity for a write-in candidate for City Council. Contact us if interested.

• If you want to volunteer or need a yard sign, fill out our contact form: Contact

Get Involved

As we continue this journey, we need your help. We’re asking volunteers to canvas for the referendum or support candidates who share our vision for Harbor Springs. If you can help or are willing to display a yard sign, please let us know.

The Essay: Street Stories

In Harbor Springs, our identity is tied to the community—a community where neighbors talk with each other and where we work together to keep our town unique. As we approach the referendum on Ordinance #439, this election transcends zoning laws; it’s about our shared commitment to preserving Harbor Springs and enhancing communication among all residents.

We’ve frequently been asked about our canvassing efforts.

Our volunteers—comprising nurses, social workers, doctors, retirees, and other dedicated community members—engaged in respectful, meaningful conversations to better understand the community’s needs and gather feedback on the referendum. Our goal was to foster open dialogue and gain a clearer insight into what the community truly wants. Does it want things as they are or to simplify the efforts of developers?

Of the 370 voters who signed the referendum, the vast majority see the need to get the zoning right. They are not apathetic; they just have a hard time tracking the vast changes the city is proposing. Voters want to help the city and volunteer their time to encourage fresh thinking while keeping important traditions that make Harbor Springs unique.

Street Stories….

Over four weeks starting in late June, 15 local volunteers canvassed Harbor Springs, discussing Ordinance #439 and collecting signatures for the referendum petition. These volunteers and those who signed are not troublemakers or conspiracy theorists. They are voters who believe in the importance of democratic processes.

The following quotes reflect their experiences and observations from engaging with fellow residents at the Farmers' Market, local businesses, and neighborhoods throughout Harbor Springs.

The volunteers did not know what to expect when they started the process of knocking on doors and manning the table at the Farmers’ Market:

“Our experiences at the Farmer’s Market were mixed.  We encountered a number of people from the City of Harbor Springs who wanted to challenge our objections. They wanted to argue about the issues and accuse us of being against development.”  

“It was an emotional time being out there for me and you never knew whether the person in the home or walking up to the Farmers Market table was friendly or wanting to ‘poke the bear’.’  People wanted to know how this would affect them personally and this information provided was very helpful and simple. Most information came directly from the City of Harbor Springs.”  

“Definitely there were more “yes’s” than no’s.  Of those yes’s, all were grateful for our petition campaign.  The no’s were just no’s – no arguing.  Only two no’s were against our We Love Harbor Springs. I didn’t ask why because I was not there to argue (not my style). There were several households where disagreement existed within a family.  I don’t really have a “street story”, other than to say it was surprisingly a positive experience for an introvert like me to get out there meeting people for such a valuable cause. “

When conversing with fellow voters, the volunteers stayed focused on the petition and provided factual written information from the City of Harbor Springs:

“We really tried our best to keep the focus solely on signing the petition. Allowing them the right to have a choice.  However, we must say that the ‘combative’ ones would pepper us with questions.” 

“We guessed all the questions were to see how informed we were. From the beginning we used the same tools – handouts of City of Harbor Springs maps, and a trifold brochure that had a summary of the “What We Like, What was Missed and What we Want to Change,” on its backside.” 

“For me, the most valuable piece of information I was given to hand out was the map of the districts and the accompanying chart on what is permitted in each district from the City of Harbor Springs. The chart of what requires special use, and easement/set back information for each zone. All documents were from City Hall. Most everyone we gave them to had never seen these kind of zoning details.”  

“While we were canvassing, if someone hadn’t heard of the ordinance, I would usually begin with my favorite ‘Saving the small-town charm of Harbor Springs’.  I think the voters of Harbor Springs should have a say, and not leave the decision on our future zoning up to just 5 city council members. Especially after 1200 signatures from Change. Org; and 400 signatures were gathered from Harbor Springs property owners. It proves there was a lack of communicating and community engagement to the voters and property owners of Harbor Springs by the City.”

“As far as spreading disinformation about the re-zoning we really tried to offer literature to people instead of getting in the weeds verbally lest we slip up inadvertently and mis-speak.  I can’t say that never happened, we are human, you know!  But often we would quietly correct anything said that was completely wrong.  Really, I think our group is smarter than to make statements that would or could jeopardize our goal.”   

The volunteers found a tremendous amount of support for the referendum while also encountering some individuals who chose not to sign:

“Surprisingly, they never offered anything up that supported the zoning decision made by City Council. That being said, only a few of them were rude……the really rude ones were the ones who yelled insults at us as they passed by.”

“I personally only had two push backs which I did not counter as it would have been unproductive.  Anyone who did not wish to sign I thanked them for their time.  I found most people at least polite when requesting whether or not they were Harbor Springs registered voters. Some listened and some did not.”  

“One of the days recalled by our group was the IGA table. We were given permission to be there, but admittedly the enthusiasm exhibited annoyed many of the shoppers. If we were allowed to do the table again this fall, only two people will man the table and interested shoppers can come up to us, if interested. Lessons are learned.”

“I didn’t have to get into anything with the “No’s” that I talked to because they already had their mind made up and it was based on one of the following: “ We want to stay neutral.” “We trust the city council.” “City council has worked hard.” “They are my friends.” “I was once on the DDA.” “We don’t sign anything “political” anymore.” “I had two separate voters who said NO and then wanted to argue politics.  I said have a great day and walked away.” “Several folks were ill informed and didn't want to get involved. Then, there was a few of the “Leave me out of it, crowd".

After canvassing all over the City of Harbor Springs, the volunteers successfully acquired the required signatures and had a positive experience when connecting with other voters:

“Our particular experiences in gathering voter signatures were actually quite pleasant.  Overwhelmingly, the response to my efforts was the voters were grateful someone was taking the time to fight against the new zoning.  I received many "thank you’s”.

“I agree with everyone else that people were friendly and neighborly even if they didn't sign. I was thanked for volunteering my time to go door to door.”  

“One couple who said NO later drove to my house to sign the referendum.  The voter who originally would not sign came to my house to apologize that he didn't sign my petition list but did sign at the Farmer’s Market.  I thanked him for telling me!” 

“We accomplished our goal to get it on the ballot and we should be proud of the hard work we put into it. By being accused of bullying and harassment and the spreading of misinformation feels like a deliberate repackaging of history.” 

We are grateful to all of you out there that participated.  These stories were compiled from questions asked of the volunteers at the Farmers Market and the canvassers over a 30-day period. Hats off to each of them!