Did you, or anyone you know, build a two-story structure to live in or run a business from? Do you, or anyone you know, live in a two-story house? Did you, or anyone you know, qualify for or receive Federal Stimulus money to do an unwanted or unnecessary remodel or rebuild? Picking up the thread? Check out the plans for the Guemes Island Ferry Terminal, dated November 2009.

There appears to be some not-so-subtle modifications to the first set of building plans. The most obvious of which is the elevator to the second floor office/crew area. In this age of economic downturn, does the elevator strike anyone else as a bit frivolous? The elevator is in addition to the stairs. Would it have been cheaper to put the office downstairs or build a single story structure?

The riders will have no need of the elevator unless they arrange an audience with the ferry manager when he is enthroned upstairs. So now, will the ferry manager and crew take the elevator or the stairs?

Outside, ferry riders will lose parking spaces close to the terminal and have to hike in all kinds of weather further to the new terminal. But, inside the new, dry, heated terminal will be a nice smooth running elevator to the second floor.

This modification takes ridiculous to new heights in our county. The new terminal building does not add square footage to the passenger waiting area. No plushy couches or chairs. No espresso machines. No piped in music. All of which are as inane as an elevator to the second floor.

On another silly note:

Project Title: Haul Out and Maintenance for the Vehicle and Passenger Ferry M/V Guemes

Project Manager/Ferry Manager: Ron Panzero
Bid Opening: February 2, 2009 2:00 p.m.
Engineers Estimate: Range $137,250 - $167,750
Apparent Low Bidder: Robynhood LLC
Bid Results:
Robynhood LLC, $153,965.88
Original bid amount submitted $154,963.80; corrected due to tax calculation error.
Puglia Engineering, Inc. $176,075.20
Original bid amount submitted $189,719.00; corrected due to tax calculation error.
Resolution R20090076 rejected the low bid of Robynhood LLC due to lack of maritime experience necessary to perform the contracted work and that the subcontractor would not meet the bidder responsibility criteria.
Bid was awarded to Puglia Engineering, Inc.

Robynhood LLC and its merry men was not awarded the contract in spite of the fact they had the lowest bid. It is obvious we are not in Sherwood Forest. Here, we have elevators.

- Commentary by MJ Andrak

Skagit County Commissioners Offer Clarifications In Response