Ideas Over Promises: Building the Next Chapter for Harbor Springs

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“Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. But action with vision can change the world.” — Nelson Mandela*

John Wooden:** *“Don’t mistake activity for achievement.”*

**Eleanor Roosevelt:** *“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”*

**Anonymous **“*Progress is not just what we build. It is what we choose to protect.*”

## Action With Vision: What Would You Do If You Set the City Council Agenda? As Harbor Springs voters head toward Election Day, we want to move beyond sound bites and slogans. Our city faces real choices: how to manage growth, fund infrastructure, and preserve the character that makes this place special. These are not partisan issues; they’re questions of stewardship.

We recently outlined several priorities the next City Council will need to tackle, from utilities and housing to emergency readiness and transparency. But priorities only matter if we, as a community, can explain *why* they matter and what actions we’re willing to support.

That’s where you come in.

We’re inviting residents, candidates, and local leaders to share their own short essays: your vision for Harbor Springs, the trade-offs you see, and the practical steps you’d take if you were setting the agenda. Tell us not just what you want done, but why it’s important and how you’d make it happen.

One neighbor who’s already taken up the challenge is **Bing Howenstein**, whose letter below offers a thoughtful, balanced look at seven key issues shaping Harbor Springs’ future. We’re grateful to him for starting the conversation, and we hope others, especially candidates, will join in before Election Day.

If you’d like to add your voice, you can:

- Publish your ideas on your own Facebook page or website,

- Or send them to **weloveharborsprings@gmail.com** for consideration and possible publication.

We’ll share a selection of submissions that focus on ideas, not personalities, because the best vision for Harbor Springs is one we build together.

## Harbor Springs Voters: What’s Actually On The Table This Election

#### *A Clear Look at Seven Key Issues: ***by Bing Howenstein, a Harbor Springs Resident ** Harbor Springs has spent two years debating its future. Zoning got heated, we voted, and we’re still neighbors - that’s democracy working, even when it’s messy. But here’s what many of us are saying: we still don’t fully understand what decisions we’re actually facing.

With a council election coming that will shape our town for years, this letter offers a clear snapshot of the seven main issues on the table. I’m not pretending to be neutral - I think investing in our town’s future makes sense - but I’ll give you both sides so you can decide for yourself.

#### **1. Making It Easier for Residents to Serve** **What it means:** Simplify how people apply to serve on city boards and commissions. Post openings where people can find them. Help new volunteers learn the ropes.

**Why some support it:** Harbor Springs has talented people: year-round and seasonal residents, who would serve if it weren’t so confusing to get started. Making participation easier costs almost nothing and builds trust between residents and city government.

**The concern:** More volunteers doesn’t automatically mean better expertise. Training and supporting them takes staff time.

**What to watch:** How applications currently work, how many board openings we have, and what specific changes are proposed.

#### **2. Fixing Aging Infrastructure and Adjusting Rates** **What it means:** Our water lines, sewer system, and streets are aging. For years, we kept utility rates low, which felt good but delayed needed repairs. Now we have to catch up, and that means rate increases.

**Why some support it:** Fixing things on schedule costs less than emergency repairs. Water main breaks, road washouts, and surprise street closures happen when we skip maintenance. Long-term, paying for upkeep now saves money later.

**The concern:** Rate increases hurt, especially for people on fixed incomes. And you don’t *see* the benefit the way you see a new park or building.

**What to watch:** A clear list of projects with timelines, examples of what your bill would actually increase, and plans for grants or bonds that could reduce costs.

#### **3. Planning for Rare But Real Emergencies** **What it means:** Have plans for extended power outages and places people can go when it’s dangerously hot or cold. Last year’s storm was hopefully a once in a lifetime event, but it happened, and other issues can present just as quickly

**Why some support it:** Basic preparation for unlikely events makes sense, especially in a lakeside town with cold winters and an aging population. Some of these costs may be covered by grants. Simple steps like identifying shelter locations with backup power and having communication backups for emergencies are reasonable.

**The concern:** We could spend a fortune preparing for something that might not happen again for decades. Every dollar spent here is a dollar not spent on roads or water systems.

**What to watch:** Risk assessments, specific shelter locations, communication backup plans, and cost estimates. The key is focusing on practical, high-value preparations - not solving for unlikely scenarios.

#### **4. Burying Some Power Lines** **What it means:** Put overhead electrical lines underground in certain areas for reliability and appearance.

**Why some support it:** Fewer outages from falling trees. Cleaner look in historic areas.

**The concern:** Very expensive - underground conversion costs are high. Repairs take longer when lines are buried. And deciding who pays. All taxpayers or just nearby property owners? It gets contentious fast.

**What to watch:** Engineering studies for specific segments, current outage data, input from affected property owners, and honest cost projections. Burying lines everywhere is probably impossible; doing it selectively in key areas might make sense.

#### **5. Housing and Short-Term Rentals** **What it means:** Workforce housing is tight. The city’s legal power to fix this is limited by state law. We can adjust short-term rental rules to reduce impacts on neighborhoods.

**Why some support it:** Thoughtful STR regulations can ease noise, parking problems, and the feeling that residential streets are becoming hotel zones. Being realistic about what the city can actually control prevents false promises.

**The concern:** Limiting STRs can reduce tourism income and costs money to enforce. Most tools for affordable housing - tax incentives, regional planning - are controlled by the county or state, not the city.

**What to watch:** Updated zoning language, current STR numbers and complaints, enforcement budget, and partnerships with county and state. Be skeptical of anyone promising the city can solve regional housing affordability on its own.

*This is likely the most emotional issue in town. Honesty matters here: Harbor Springs can manage STR impacts, but can’t single-handedly fix housing costs driven by regional market forces.*

#### **6. Matching Staff to Workload** **What it means:** New programs need people to run them. More enforcement needs enforcers. That costs money ongoing.

**Why some support it:** Harbor Springs runs lean. Adding staff in the right places means things actually get done and current employees don’t burn out doing three jobs each. Strategic additions make sense when workload clearly exceeds capacity.

**The concern:** Permanent staff positions are easy to add and hard to cut. If we grow city payroll faster than needed, taxes follow.

**What to watch:** For every new program, ask: Who will run it? Is this a one-time cost or permanent? What’s the plan if it doesn’t work? Demand clear answers before approving initiatives that expand city responsibilities.

#### **7. Showing Costs Before We Vote** **What it means:** Publish cost and tax impacts early in the process. Give the City Manager clear goals we can track publicly.

**Why some support it:** Earlier information builds trust and prevents surprises. When we can see what’s coming, we’re less likely to feel blindsided. Tying plans to measurable results means we know if things are working.

**The concern:** “Essentials only” thinking can kill quality-of-life projects people actually want. Public performance reviews can become political.

**What to watch:** When cost projections are published, how detailed they are, and whether the City Manager has clear, public performance goals.

#### **Where We Go From Here** The zoning rewrite showed we can do hard work through open meetings and reach decisions even when not everyone gets what they want. That’s the system working.

This election will seat two new council members who will join three sitting members and decide which of these issues move forward, in what order, and how aggressively.

**What voters should ask for:**- Separate “do now,” “phase in over time,” and “only if we find funding”

- Show costs and benefits in plain numbers before votes

- Be clear about what the city controls versus what needs county, state, or utility company partners

- Keep debate firm but civil - your neighbor who disagrees still loves Harbor Springs

#### **A Note on What’s Really At Stake** Harbor Springs is small, geographically constrained, and has historically run an efficient operation. These are strengths, but they also define real limits. Effective leadership means pursuing important goals while being honest about what’s actually possible.

The people running in this election - and the people voting - all care about this town. The question isn’t whether we love Harbor Springs. The question is how we move forward: which priorities come first, how we pay for them, and whether we’re willing to invest in infrastructure that isn’t glamorous but keeps the town working.

We can disagree on answers and still be neighbors. That’s what makes this place worth the effort.

*Resident, Harbor Springs*

Bing Howenstein

## Candidates

**Below you’ll find short bios as published on the Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce website for each candidate to introduce them ahead of the election. On the ballot for two seats on the Council are current Council member Kathy Motschall**, along with candidates **Jeanne Benjamin**, **William Donohue**, **David Lamarche**, and **Nancy Rondel**. **(Click on the candidate’s name for a brief bio and photo.) **

#### Incumbent - Kathy Motschall **“ Personal Life: **I have lived in Harbor Springs since 2011 and in Northern Michigan for 38 years. I was married to Paul Motschall, widow since 2020. Hobbies are gardening, travel and reading. **Professional Life: **I was a CPA for 40 years, and I worked in both public accounting and private industry. I retired as CFO of Walstrom Marine in 2019. **Volunteer activities: **I have served on HS City Council since 2023 and I have previously served on the Tree board and Harbor commission and currently I am on the Zoning Board of Appeals. I have been a volunteer Income tax preparer through AARP Foundation since 2022. I am currently the secretary of the Petoskey Sunrise Rotary club and active in the club’s community activities.”

#### Candidate – Jeanne Benjamin “I am a lifelong Harbor Springs resident and graduate of Harbor Springs High School, with a B.A. from Michigan State University. For over 40 years I’ve worked in retail management — much of it right on Main Street — while also raising my son and staying active in our community through the School Steering Committee and the Harbor Springs Ski Boosters.

I have served more than a decade in city and county roles, including the Downtown Development Authority (formerly DBC), City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Boards of Appeals (in both Harbor Springs and West Traverse). Over the years, I have worked closely with the last three City Managers, always focusing on teamwork and results.

I am running for City Council because I believe what makes Harbor Springs truly special is not only its beauty but its people and strong sense of community. My goal is to bring authentic hometown values, fiscal responsibility, and a community-first perspective to every decision — so the work I do always serves the people who make this town their home.”

#### Candidate - Bill Donohue “I first came to Harbor Springs in 1981, to go skiing with a customer. I was in the baking industry and my customer managed one of the largest oven manufacturers serving large, wholesale bakeries (think Wonder Bread, Sanders, Awrey). It was a perfect, winter weekend and Harbor looked like something out of a Currier and Ives print. It was beautiful and I knew right then, I loved this place. About 6-months later this same customer called to say he was moving his company to North Carolina and did I want to buy his house. The answer was a quick “yes” and we have had a home up here since 1982.

I grew up in Evanston, IL graduating from high school in 1962. Right after high school, I joined the marines and served from 1962-65. After my service, I enrolled at Bowling Green State University( Ohio) graduating with a degree in Economics in 1969. I met my wife, Claudia at Bowling Green, and we were married my Junior year.

After graduation I went to work for a large steel company (Inland Steel) based in Chicago. Over the next 5-years I moved to St. Louis, Houston, Kansas City, and finally back to Chicago, where I began my career in publishing and stayed in publishing (mostly serving the baking industry) for the rest of my career. After 11-years at Gorman Publishing in Chicago, I left to start my own company, Donohue-Meehan Publishing in Des Plaines, IL. We published to the bakery market and convenience store companies and soon, both publications were number one in their fields. In 1998 I sold the company to Penton Media in Cleveland, and we went public on the NYSE, where I served on the board of directors for 2-years. In 2005 I left to form Harbor Communications, another publishing company, and launched Club & Resort Business, a business magazine for the mangers of city, golf, and country clubs. I retired in 2014 and moved to London to pursue a Masters in Military History with the University of Buckingham.

I mention the various moves to illustrate just how much I love and appreciate Harbor Springs. There is no other place like it and that is why I am running for City Council. It’s vital that whatever decisions the town makes, it not only doesn’t detract from the charm that is Harbor, but in fact enhances it.

I am running on the following principles…

• Any changes in our zoning must preserve the unique charm of Harbor Springs. Any movement that detracts from this I will vigorously oppose.

• Our schools are sacrosanct. I will support any and all sensible initiatives to maintain or improve the quality of our school system.

• Our city should fund the basics. I want good streets and roads, well maintained sidewalks, and basic infrastructure.

• Live within our budgets. We receive money from the taxpayers to maintain Harbor Springs to the citizen’s expectations. It is our job to spend it responsibly.

• Less government is good governance. I will resist any attempt to expand governmental authority into our private lives or property.

I ask for your vote on November 4. If you give it to me I promise to A) live up to the above principles, B) always be honest in the reasons for my votes and C) most importantly work to maintain the charm that is Harbor Springs.”

#### Candidate - David Lamarche “Hello - My name is David Lamarche and I am running for a seat on the Harbor Springs City Council. My wife and daughter and I have been full-time residents of the Harbor Springs Area since 2014, the last five within the city proper.

I believe strongly in serving the greater need and, to that end, have served as the Treasurer for Northmen Den Youth Pantries and Little Traverse Sailors, as well as a board member on the Harbor Springs Area Sewage Disposal Authority.

I feel that anyone who spends time in this wonderful city contributes in some way to the charm and character we all love and wish to preserve, and everyone deserves to be heard.

I also feel we need to be planning for our future needs, especially where infrastructure is concerned. I look forward to sharing my opinions and beliefs in the coming weeks and to learn more about what concerns you.”

#### Candidate - Nancy Rondel “My name is Nancy Rondel and I am running for City Council in Harbor Springs. I have lived here since 1979 and been a voter since 1980. I have worked, played, raised a family, joined a church, owned a business, made friends, entertained visitors and served on Council for 4 years. I have volunteered and helped neighbors in our city for over 40 years. Harbor Springs is my home and I care about the people that live here.

A bit more about my experience working with city government. I served for 4 years on our City Council from 2020-2024. I also was a member of the Tree Board and the Planning Commission during this time. I am very familiar with working with teams and being a good listener. Most of my work life has been in the nursing world which demands team work, listening skills, compromise, collaboration, compassion and caring for others.

It is very important when serving in city government to understand that you are there for your constituents, not for yourself. You must speak and act for the common good of the people you represent, not for yourself or your personal agenda.”

### Closing Note The City Council election will take place on **Tuesday, November 4, 2025**. Absentee ballots are available ahead of Election Day, and additional information can be obtained online or from the City Clerk’s office. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for hosting its 2025 Candidate Forum.

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