WLHS: Town Hall Replay
Saturdays virtual town hall discussion covering Harbor Springs economic development, candidates and the zoning
The Brief
Vote Yes
YES to Community Oversight: Local voices are heard for every project
YES to Preserving Character: Maintain the unique charm of Harbor Springs
YES for Balanced Growth: Sustainable, incremental development in line with community needs
YES to Full-Time Residents: Protect opportunities for locals to thrive
YES to a Livable Town: Peace, green spaces, and less congestion
Vote No
NO to Local Input: No say in development decisions
NO Limits for Developers: High-density projects allowed, unchecked
NO Voice for Residents: Projects approved without community involvement
NO Stopping Seasonal Invasion: Wealthy seasonal buyers outcompete locals
NO Cap on Construction: More building, more noise, more congestion
Saturdays Town Hall
We held an open Town Hall Style Zoom call with many undecided voters Saturday morning. Please post any questions below. And share this email with undecided voters looking to learn more.
We have summarized all the town halls into a single 15-minute overview (With the help of some AI that listened to them all).
This media and these town halls represent the kind of technology that is easy to use to improve communication across voters, property owners, and friends of Harbor Springs. Preserving the best of Harbor Springs takes effort.
Survey
The City’s data treats part-time residents as if they live in Harbor Springs only in July and part of August. Let us know how much time you spend in Harbor Springs.
Trust Tom Graham: Preserving the Best of Harbor Springs
The (Missing) Tom Graham Interview for the Harbor Light
Tom Graham was asked to answer some questions about his run for Mayor by the Harbor Light, but as of yet it remains unpublished. We publish them here for those who are voting early.
Q.1 Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to the City of Harbor Springs.
I grew up in Harbor Springs and have loved this town ever since. My dad and grandpa were town dentists. The five of us kids all grew up here. I opened my real estate office and bought my house in 1972 after college and Vietnam and still work daily. My wife Tricia and I raised three boys and all three still live in the area with their kids.
Q.2 How would you describe the role of a City Council member/Mayor, and why are you seeking election for this position?
The role of the mayor is to manage and direct the counsel and manage the business affairs of the city. I will love our town the way it is and make it better with common sense implements.
• I'm fiscally conservative by nature and city dollars should be spent minimalistic that way
• Good gradual change is best for us and that's what we've always had, and what we've always talked about.
Q.3 What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you see for this community in the near future?
We need to keep managing the growth of the town and harmony within the people by communicating changes and by eliminating drastic changes.
Q.4 In recent years, hyper-partisan political narratives have created a lot of confusion, animosity and fractures in how people treat each other. How would you contribute to the conversation with your community as a City Council member/Mayor? If referencing better communication in your response, please also list out all the ways you understand the Council/City currently communicates/what you would like to do differently.
We need to talk plainly with local input, not just out of town planners. None of this needs to be rushed. Harbor isn't failing. These changes affect more than just the city as the city is the largest amenity to the entire area. If we cannot have these zoning and economic things explained to some of the smartest people in the world and the locals alike, we need not to do them.
Q.5 Council obviously plays a major role in determining the annual budget and capital improvement projects for the City. How would you determine priorities, and are there any changes you'd be looking to make or projects you would seek to address right away?
Priorities would be to spend money where it would help the most people.
Q.6 If someone was looking to relocate to Harbor Springs, how would you describe this community to them?
The best little town in the whole world with great restaurants, amazing water, fun ski hills, a healthy piece of 1950's americana downtown and wonderful people that I call neighbors.
