| Outside the Lines: Ferry Tales XXXXII Ho! Ho! Hold On! With holidays approaching, the month of December is usually a very busy month for many of us. The Guemes Island Ferry Committee’s calendar is booked, as well. There are two ferry related meetings/hearings the beginning of December. The GIFC will meet on Sunday December 2 @ the Community Center for their quarterly public meeting and a “briefing” on a new schedule and fare increases. The
Skagit County Board of Commissioners is holding a “public”
hearing on Tuesday December 4th on the same two topics and on resolutions
that are going to bite the dust. Fare increases and scheduling hit close to home for all of us. Will a ferry schedule mean the end of extended hours? Not according to Friend of Guemes Island information. Will commuters arrive home earlier or later? Should we speed up or slow down to arrive in time for the ferry? Will any of us be able to remember the new schedule? Will there be a change in policy about “on demand” runs? How much more will we have to budget to meet the fare increase? Will we have the opportunity to use credit cards? The BOCC’s scheduled public hearing notice tells us that ferry resolutions are being rescinded, but not how they will affect scheduling and fares. The “bridge analogy” is history but what will replace it? There is also a rumor that the fourth crew person will only be working during high traffic times. {What, not on the 10:00PM Wednesday night run?} There are many other questions as well. Some not yet even considered until answers are heard. ‘Tis the season to be jolly. As visions of fare increases dance in our heads and brown paper schedules tied up with string tax our minds, we should include plans to attend these meetings with questions and comments in hand. If our questions are answered we should attend the BOCC hearing armed with information and voice our opinions. The BOCC is asking us, after all. Commentary by MJ Andrak [11.16.7] Send a message to the Commissioners, Public Works Director and ferry manager.
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