There were not as many people in the audience at the Guemes Island Ferry Committee annual meeting on Sunday, January 15 as there have been in the past. Those who did not attend will have to play a little catch up.

One of the first items for discussion was last year’s fare increase. In spite of that increase, ferry revenue has declined. It seems fewer people are are taking their cars across. Ridership declines are not due to a decrease in island population* as some believe but march in step with fare increases. Walk-on passengers have increased and, as fares continue to rise, car traffic declines.

Discussion about the frequent rider punch cards and the 90 day expiration was also revisited. Carl Cady emphasized that it is a frequent rider card. Crunch some numbers and figure where you break even, using one. For me it is 17 trips or two trips per week. How about you?

Because of citizen request, the Skat bus is available to pick up passengers at the ferry terminal. It is being under utilized at this time. If we ask for it, get it but don’t use it, what is the point? Rachel Beck, ferry manager, has offered to help people use this service.

Ferry Manager Rachel Beck’s number one priority for 2012, reportedly, is the schedule. (Summer and Sundays). This and the ridership survey will be discussed and reported on at a March 2012 Public Forum. Information on this meeting will be forthcoming.

The floating dock pilings, remnants of last year’s dock project, becomes history this week. A barge and crane are in place now. Glen Veal reported that those who wanted the floating dock made permenent could discuss it “another year, another time, not now.”

This was Carl Cady’s last ferry committee meeting. He is leaving after nine years on this committee in which he diligently collected and made sense of ferry service and fiscal data and relentlessly pressed his clear and logical conclusions. On Sunday, as he answered questions and gave his final report, he was all smiles. He will consult with the committee on some matters in the future, however.

Up until Sunday’s meeting there was only one name, Sally Stapp, in nomination for Carl’s spot. During the meeting, Howard Pellett nominated himself for the same vacancy. After an awkward pause, that nomination was seconded. So, now there will be a mail in ballot, with votes to be counted within 45 days.

The ferry committee has a bank balance of $1.57. Last year, the cost of the ferry committee election was $567. Without an endowment, member dues or other revenue, the ferry committee will be requesting donations to cover election expenses. A donation box was made available Sunday and $90 collected as the meeting ended. In the past each committee members donated most of the money for election costs.

Donations can be made online here soon or dropped off at or mailed to:
Andersen’s Store
7885 Guemes Island Road, Number 6
Guemes Island, WA 98221

- Commentary by MJ Andrak

*Census Data Skagit County Census Tract 9501, Block Group 1

2000 Census count: 605              2010 Census count: 689

1960:    216             1970:    230

Registered Voters On Guemes Island*

2012: 592

2011: 610

2009: 625

2006: 578

2004: 500

* Why voter registration numbers fluctuate.

"The trend you note of generally steady rising, but with periodic fluctuations, does occur throughout the county. The periodic downturns are usually mostly, if not entirely, a matter of timing; when the numbers were run affects them significantly. It is exaggerated right after some big elections, such as we just had in November because, depending on the timing of such elections, it is after them that we can purge, on a large scale, our rolls of voters who have moved, died, etc. We did just do this in after November’s election, so the effect at the moment is somewhat greater than will appear later in the year.

As we get closer to this November, the effect will reverse significantly as more voters register for the General Election. Again, if your 2009 numbers were from early in that year, the rolls, right after the 2008 Presidential election, were at an all-time high. This trend can also reflect very local trends of people moving, etc, which can occur within tightly defined areas, such as an island. Principally, though, I expect the current occurrence you note to be a reflection of voter registration rolls being cleaned after significant elections, and coming down from the all-time high of 2008."

- David Cunningham, Skagit County Elections Supervisor