The last issue of this Bulletin reported on a grassroots effort in Petoskey, Michigan to stop a 400,000 square foot chain retail development in a neighboring township. (See "Petoskey’s Local Businesses Fight Massive Retail Development")

In April, to the thunderous applause of a packed town hall, the Bear Creek Township Board voted 3-2 to deny the developer’s request to rezone the land from residential and farm-forest to commercial, effectively nixing the big box project. The planning commission had recommended approval of the rezoning in February. The sustained efforts of citizens and local business owners, however, ultimately convinced the town board that the project would undermine the community’s character and local economy.