Petition to the Skagit County Commissioners

We, the undersigned Guemes Island Ferry riders:

Make known our extreme opposition to the extended hours of operation proposal recently submitted to the Skagit County Commissioners.

Question why Public Works and the Commissioners have chosen to ignore the results of previous surveys (one of which they paid a great deal of money to perform) that have shown a 64% MAJORITY in opposition to the idea of extended hours of operation Monday through Thursday.

Question why the results of the last two Ferry Committee elections have been ignored. In the last two, formally run, elections the voters have overwhelming elected the candidate who represented the majority view of not extending ferry operation hours.

Request all matters pertaining to fares, schedule, service or any ferry matter be submitted to Ferry Committee before being submitted to County Commissioners. When commissioners are asked to hear proposals by any party other than the ferry committee, proposal should be submitted to the ferry committee first in accordance with Skagit County Resolution #R20040393 (Operations and Performance Roundtable). The Round Table provides for the collaboration between Skagit County Public Works Department and the Guemes Island Ferry Committee to address issues of Ferry policy, operations and finance.

Stress to the Commissioners that extended hours of operation will add to the wear and tear of the already deteriorating vessel.

Request an audit to verify the financial validity of the extending Ferry operating hours and require proof that the proposal will not result in a larger financial shortfall. This financial audit must include the impact on the Guemes Island infrastructure created by the new ridership brought by the Extended Service Proposal.

Request the Anacortes AND Guemes Island parking lots to be fully useable before the planned Fall 2005 haul out.

Ask Commissioners to give Ferry Committee prior notice of their meetings covering ferry matters so that they may represent the riders in their advisory capacity.

Request improved communication from Skagit County officials and Public Works with the Ferry Committee, Linetime.org and the Evening Star.

Contact Jodi Meekins* by phone (293-0963 after 5:30 pm) if you want to add your signature to this petition. You may also send Jodi an email authorizing her to add your name to the list of signators.

If someone would like to help physically gather signatures, please let Jodi know.

- Jodi Meekins and Bob Easton

*When you click this link, your email software will open with a new email message pre-addressed to Jodi Meekins.

[5.23.05]