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Steve Flude Skagit County Public
Works Department Dear Steve, We are very concerned about the burden placed on Guemes Ferry users who have mobility impairments by the extension of the ferry outage through December. As you know we have received continuous feedback that docking the passenger ferry directly on the beach poses a barrier to many of the riders who are unable to navigate the terrain necessary to board or debark. The extension of the outage to the end of December and the elimination of all runs between 6:30 am and 6:00 pm pose an unacceptable hardship on this group of ferry users who will become virtual prisoners on the island. We understand the thinking behind the decision to dock the passenger boat on the beach and the limited options that were available when the decision was made. However we urge you to reconsider this plan and to work directly with us to formulate another plan that will better serve the ferry ridership. We request that you co-sponsor along with the GIFC an evening public meeting on the island early in the week of November 29 to elicit input from users with mobility impairments and their advocates. This will allow us all to work in collaboration in order to form and implement a workable solution. The GIFC will be happy to assist you by getting the word out to the ridership about this meeting and we will help in the facilitation of the meeting and in keeping discussion focused on the issue of ferry service for people with mobility impairments. We will also invite participation from representatives of the Fire Department emergency response team. Although we can’t anticipate exactly what plans will evolve from the meeting we would suggest that in advance of the meeting, you prepare information about possible usage of the ramp at Wyman’s Marina, parking at Wyman’s Marina and the feasibility of some type of all terrain vehicle to load passengers on the Guemes side. We look forward
to working with you to develop a plan that will meet the needs of this
group of riders. In order to give us time to notify the ridership of
the meeting we are asking for a response from you by Wednesday, November
24. It might be helpful to note that the Community Center appears to
be available as a meeting location the evenings of 11/29 or 11/30. Guemes Island Ferry Committee cc: Skagit County ADA Coordinator, Terry Ebersole |
