Outside the Lines: Ferry Tales X

One Step Back

Skagit County Public Works has mailed out a brochure that contains incorrect schedule and fare information.

Once the initial shock wore off, after reading the October 1, 2004 schedule printed in the Skagit County Guemes Ferry brochure, I immediately checked my notes from previous ferry meetings. Nowhere in any recent meetings or roundtable discussions or quarterly meetings, was this schedule in place.

There was an announcement, by public works, at the April 23, 2004 Roundtable, that an informational brochure was at the printer and would be forthcoming This brochure would be mailed to the Guemes Ferry constituency. This brochure was to be printed in color on glossy paper. This brochure would put to rest any questions or concerns regarding the implementation of new policies, fares, schedules, and procedures. This brochure would also satisfy the “lack of communication” issue between County and Guemes Ferry ridership. This brochure did not!

This brochure did stir up quite a hornet’s nest. This brochure did reduce what, little if any, credibility the Skagit County Public Works department gained. The phantom Mon-Thurs 7:00PM run raised the blood pressure of many islanders as did the elimination of the Saturday midnight run.

Glen Veal, chair of the GIFC, didn’t panic, as many of us did, after reading this brochure. He realized this brochure’s inaccuracy’s. He recognized the schedule as one of many that had been discussed meetings ago. He also knew that the county commissioners had approved a schedule, and that schedule approval could NOT be undone by simply printing it in a glossy color brochure.

Kudo’s to Glen, and shame on Skagit County Public Works!

- MJ Andrak