Far be it from any outsider to tell residents of Harmony how they should conduct their affairs.

From its very inception in 1804 by a celibate Mennonite sect from Germany, Harmony has thrived on its unique traditions and rich heritage. Its preservation of a bygone era attracts many tourists seeking to experience a simpler way of life.

At a Chamber of Commerce function in March, the borough council president, Jim Hulings, lavished praise on Harmony, noting that it has a historic background and many homes that feature religious symbols and American flags in their yards. The crime rate is nearly zero and the borough has more churches than bars.

“(Harmony) is a treasure we need to preserve,” Hulings said. “We have a very dedicated borough that protects it.”

Protection, no doubt, was the borough’s intent when it recently cited the neighboring Indian Brave Campground for making repairs to a footbridge over the Connoquenessing Creek without first obtaining a borough permit.

The footbridge is the campground’s only direct access to Harmony. It had remained closed to foot traffic, its repairs suspended since owner Laura Ebbert received a letter from Hulings and zoning codes enforcement officer Allen Bayer notifying her of the citation and threatening fees and fines.

Ebbert argued Tuesday before council that the bridge isn’t even on borough property and therefore is not subject to its ordinances or permit requirements. She said borough officials previously assured her the repairs were not subject to a borough permit.

The campground is entirely in Jackson Township, with the boundary in the middle of the creek bed. The footbridge’s Harmony end sits on an abutment of the creek, making the entire bridge a matter of state jurisdiction, according to at least one councilman.

It’s a conundrum for historic districts like Harmony to balance preservation of its past with accommodations for the tourists — including the campground’s many guests — whose dollars make historic districts possible. Without those dollars, historic tourist locations can’t be maintained; but at the same time, if the historic treasure isn’t maintained properly, it will cease to attract tourists and the’ll stop coming.

Harmony council acted wisely when it voted to drop its threat to punish the campground with fees and fines. The only remaining requirement, to remove a guardrail at the borough end of the bridge, seems reasonable and consistent with the objective of maintaining the historic nature of the borough.

No one should fault Harmony officials for their aggressive defense of the borough’s historic beauty. That’s why tourists visit and spend money there. The decision appears to be in the best of interest not only of the borough, but of campground and tourism as well.