A Brief History of the Ferry Committee

The Ferry Committee was formed in 1980 at the request of Commissioner Jerry Mansfield to represent the riders of the Guemes Ferry.  He wanted the business of the ferry to be handled by one representative group rather than having to deal with numerous individuals and organizations.  A meeting was held at the Fire Hall as an established neutral area where representatives of all island service organizations and concerned individuals could meet.  Out of that meeting were elected Max Benjamin,  Al  Bush,  Rollie Jones,  Mike Murphy and Glen Veal.

The Ferry Committee’s mission statement has been:

1) Safe, reliable, courteous service
2) Well maintained facilities
3) Equitable Fares
4) Prompt, adequate emergency services
5) Representation by an elected ferry committee to the County Commissioners.

Through the years public meetings were held on an irregular basis to address such things as scheduling matters and fares as well as to elect members.  Most of the original members continued to serve being re-elected by acclamation at the meetings held for such purpose. 

In 1997, the first secret ballot of committee members was held and the committee of Max Benjamin,  Al Bush, Dixon Elder, Steve Orsini and Glen Veal was elected.
 
The earliest accomplishment of the original committee was to help establish  Resolution 9518 which identified the funding sources of the ferry and the costs of the operation and established  a policy that required 100 percent recovery of the direct operating costs of the ferry: crews wages/benefits, fuel, and insurance to be paid by the revenue sources which include  fuel tax revenue,  deficit reimbursement fund and fares.  The County agreed to pay for the capital expenditures for the ferry and dock as an extension of the county road system.
 
Resolution 9518 was replaced with 11939 which required an 88% recovery of the crew’s wages and benefits and 100% of the fuel and insurance. This revision was because of the increase to a three person crew from the previous two person crew.
 
Other  changes that occurred with the work of the Committee and support of the community through a public meeting were schedule modifications resulting in the current ferry schedule.  This included some half hour additions and the extension of the Sunday schedule.
 
More recent work has included development of a disabled fare, work on the 6 year and 14 year capital facilities plans, work on developing a plan for the 6th St. Parking lot including purchase of the railroad right of way and work on the recent management analysis.
 
Through the years we have served the County Commissioners and the Public Works department in an educational capacity apprising them of the established past practices and procedures  regarding the ferry operation.  At last count , we have worked with 11 different County Commissioners and 8 different Public Works directors.