WLHS: The heart of the YES vote is the will of the voters
350 Voters signed a referendum to get YES on the Ballot. No amount of money did that.
It is now up to you….
No amount of money will win the referendum. Only People will.
Now is the time to be completely clear with your friends, neighbors, and everyone in your circle.
If you support YES, it’s time to speak up—whether on Facebook, Instagram, email, a phone call, or in person. Everyone who supports YES needs to let others know why it matters. Share why you voted YES, why you believe in YES, and why it’s so important for others to join you.
Commit….. Your YES vote is your pledge to engage, to help make Harbor Springs better, and to tackle the challenges we all face.
YES for Tom, YES for Wendy, YES for changing City Hall, and YES for preserving the best of Harbor Springs.
Reach out to other voters and encourage them—now is not the time to hold back. To preserve Harbor Springs, we need everyone on board. This is our moment.
Around 400 votes have yet to be cast in the election. We may not know how they will vote, but we do know this: one personal message from you could make all the difference. One direct connection—one “YES”—can help tip the balance.
We are good winners, and we are good neighbors. Let's make Harbor Springs the winner. Let’s make it happen together!
Places to Post
Go to these pages and post on a thread that you are voting yes and why.
The City’s Facebook Page: Link
We Love Harbor Springs Facebook Page: Link
Your personal Instagram and FB page
Closing Message
The planning commission volunteers worked hard to develop the Master Plan and Zoning
In 2023, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) paid for 3/4 of the $33,000 fee to write the zoning according to the MEDC/RRC process to make it easier for outside developers to develop in Harbor Springs
MEDC’s & RRC’s goal is to increase development. To attract new people to northern Michigan. To increase density. To increase tax revenues. To rebuild the towns and cities similar in layout, form and function.
Our in-town Agricultural District was eliminated without outreach, then an Ag over-lay was added, after 2-3 neighbors spoke-up. Residential density in that district, under the over-lay was increased.
MEDC required the City to adopt:
By-Right Zoning
Remove the planning commission from most zoning decisions
Increase the building types (ADUs, Duplex, etc)
Vote Yes keeps what the Planning Commission and Community Surveys wanted to preserve in Harbor Springs, and removes what MEDC wants to use to drive growth.
Vote Yes gives us a better path to affordable housing.
Vote No gives developers the green light to build what and where they want. Like turning downtown into a three-story, changing Harbor Springs forever.
MEDC hints they may give grants to Harbor Springs, but politically, why would they give grants to a town as wealthy as Harbor Springs when so many other towns need grants?
Why give up the character of Harbor Springs for a promise instead of a commitment?
Vote Yes to Preserve Harbor Springs.
Personally commit to bring voters, property owners, the tribe and area township together to preserve Harbor Springs best qualities and work together to adapt our town as the world changes.
I have happily voted YES to repeal Ordinance #439 and I look forward to a zoning ordinance that is created by people who love, respect and want to preserve Harbor Springs. As the old saying goes...."If it ain't broke, don't fix it". There is nothing broken about Harbor Springs so let's be really good stewards of the growth of a town that we are privileged to call home. Nan Mautz