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Joe Kendrick

Yea Frank and I am sure George Bush and his oil friends are somehow behind this! Also if you look closely, you can see Dick Cheney on the grassy knowl when Kennedy was shot! God forbid that the little people of the county might be able to live on Guemes Island due to the ferry operating on hours to allow commuting to work and back. It is all a big conspiracy by the rich elitist to attack Guemes Island and its elitist.

[2.24.6]

Terry and Janet Ebersole

Commissioners:

In a telephone conversation with the Clerk of the Skagit County Board of Equalization today, we have withdrawn our petition regarding the assessed true and fair value of our property, Parcel # P68063.

We were scheduled for a hearing on the matter on January 31 at 11:30 am. Our petition was based on our belief that rather than the value of our property having increased, limited access to our property over the last year due to repeated interruptions in Guemes Island ferry service has diminished the value of our property.

Being aware of the growing animosity of the Board of Commissioners towards residents of Guemes Island, and especially having read of Commissioner Anderson's reported latest outburst about Islanders in The Skagit Valley Herald of January 24th, we conclude we stand no chance of having the new assessed valuation decreased.

[1.19.6]

Tim Wittman

Hi Leo,

I just wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your letter and the points that you made. I sincerely hope that people take your message to heart.

The problem clearly isn't the immediate ferry crew ... . it's the powers that be . . . those 'legends in their own minds' in high places who get erections over creating and enforcing regulations at the expense of our unique Guemes culture . . . and the culture of the rest of the county. Leo, when I was a kid, one of the very best fishing spots in Anacortes was the Guemes Ferry Dock. We used to line up there on Saturday mornings at the end of the pier and cast our long lines out into the channel, hoping to hook dog fish, skates, or whatever else we could get to bite. Can't fish there anymore, though . .. . too bad . . . and the community cries foul about the kids who skateboard on the streets and sidewalks. Well, if they can't fish, what else can they do? Are they to be treated like pastured horses, asked to stay in one location and wait patiently to meet someone else's need to ride them? But I digress . . .

There were times when the ferry actually used to return, after leaving the dock, to pick up one last straggler before making the complete run to Guemes. It inconvenienced no one, and helped a neighbor . . .

In the current times I fear that we will never enjoy another "Mini Challenge." How can we load the ferry with Mini Coopers, just to answer a simple but fun little question, without violating some rule or regulation? I don't even want to go there . . .

At Christmas time, Jackie and I used to have a tradition. When we got to the front of the line, we would ask the purser to punch our ticket one extra time for the car directly behind us. It was like an unexpected little Christmas gift . . . a gift of friendship and saying, "here's to you, neighbor!" We used to get the biggest kick out of watching the people's expressions! Sometimes, the punches would continue, right down the ferry line. Now, of course, this tradition is impossible . . . and that's too bad. It was a fun little tradition that was uniquely Guemes . . . a part of our island culture.

But, as you note, this friendly culture is quickly being replaced with a new one . . . We were sitting in our car in the ferry line last week and Jackie commented that she counted something like 15 "Do Not" signs plastered all over the fence and terminal walls . . . "Gate Closes 1 Minute before Departure" - "No Cell Phones" - "No Gas Cans" - "Parking Lights Only" - "Wait for Crew signal before starting your car," etc, etc, etc. The more we looked, the more we saw . . . I guess at some subconscious level we had tuned them out . . . . institutional-gray metal signs replacing friendly human dialogue . . .

Jackie and I are still going to give the ferry crew 'goodies' on the holidays, as we have always done. And while we couldn't buy a Christmas wreath for the boat this year, as in years past, I'm sure we will figure out a way to do it again, next year. In the meantime, however, there must be something we can do to bring the spirit of our community back in line with our beloved ferry and crew. Let's bring back Aloha Monday! Can't the crew wear Hawaiian shirts under their reflective vests (perhaps when the weather warms up a bit)!?! : )

In this day of bureaucracy and regulation maybe for once culture and humanism can prevail . . . prevail despite a group of "elected" officials in which neither the Guemes community nor much of Skagit County have the slightest bit of confidence.

[1.19.6]

Leo Osborne

The Guemes Island Aloha Story

Why do I tell this now? I am not certain, but it is yet another story about our precious island and the ferry crew that brings us home!

It was in the mid 90’s that myself and several other males of Guemes began wearing Hawaiian Aloha shirts. We would get them at Soroptomist and other used clothing stores.

Well, as it happened we began to all wear them on Mondays and we called it ALOHA MONDAY. It was a way of warming up the first day of the work week, making folks laugh and have fun. The idea took off and one day we saw the Guemes Island Ferry Crew ALL wearing Aloha Shirts. It was grand!!!! Everybody loved it! The visual warmed our hearts and spirit and everybody who got on the ferry on those Mondays could not help but to feel good and to feel like we were family so to speak.

This lasted for a few months and then one Monday the ferry crew did not have their Aloha Shirts on and it turned out that the COUNTY FOLKS decided that it was improper and for whatever reasons they gave, which I do not personally know, meant that the crew could no longer wear ‘their’ shirts.

Of course it was not a big deal, I mean what’s in a shirt but the person under it, right? What it did do was undermine the joy that people were having and it was a sign that our elected guides of the county were taking charge and implementing their regimented codes to take the fun out of our lives.

It was really a small thing wasn’t it? It was just clothing being changed or was it more? Was it showing us that our elected guides were even then in this small matter making rules that would alter our lives in a very personal way. I mean really, what the bleep does it matter as long as it is safe!!!!

Unfortunately we who live on this island have seen how far these misguided guides are willing to go in their undermining the island life of those who reside here. They are bad guides….even a grade school child could see this and understand it.

There is NO lightheartedness anymore…we are at the whims of leaders who mismanage public funds and who are guilty now of major mismanagement. Our elected officials apparently do not work for the concerns of the citizens who elected them. The condition is prevalent at all levels of the current governmental administration.
It is a sad state of affairs and we who still have ‘hearts’ are once again deprived of a good and wholesome way of life that we cherish.

I for one do still remember what I was told about the people from whom my family line descended as we came off the deck of the Mayflower that brought them here from England where they were being taxed by a government that was corrupt. The courageous leaders and intelligent men and women of that time wrote a Constitution that would keep ‘the people’ free and unencumbered by a totalitarian government.

Do we remember what it said?

Those ideas and guiding instructions have been outrageously disregarded and defiled.

Those of us who believe in the spirit of ‘aloha’ and who live on and love this little piece of rock that we find ourselves drawn to know that we have found ‘our place of belonging’.

It is time to put on our ‘Aloha Shirts’ (spiritually speaking) yet once again if only to make a mockery of what foolish rulers, authorities and those who should be in charge do when they can’t stretch their minds to understand the true needs of their fellow beings.

[1.12.6]

Kelli Thomson

My name is Kelli Thomson. My grandparents were probably two of the first people to build on Guemes. They built a summer cabin right on the waterfront in the mid 30's and our entire family have been blessed to share this property right up to today. My grandparents died in 1997 within six months of each other. My father is in a rest home and the responsibility for caring for the property is now mine. I have lived and used this property since I was born and I am now 51. Sadly, I endured the problems with the ferry service over the shut-down. I too, was late for appointments, nearly froze to death a few times, and missed many a ferry that did not leave on time ( or in my case , too early). I have never openly complained, but after what happened this evening I feel compelled to write about the rudest, most absolutely avoidable, nasty experience I have ever experienced on our ferry.

My husband arrived at the ferry dock about 4:50, well in time for the 5:05. As the ferry worker, Mr. Monte Hughes approached our car and saw that we were paying in change (which happened to be all we had after spending 400.00 plus on groceries) he rudely stated "you have to wait". Then he proceeded to take the cars behind us (except the one immediately behind us as he was paying with change too) and allowed them all on the ferry holding us behind and the car behind us until the ferry was full and then the ferry left. About this time I was really upset and got out of my car. I politely asked him where in the 'new' rules does it say that change is not acceptable tender for a ferry ride. He did not answer my question but told me that the quarters "must be rolled". I finally got angry - not only would he not accept legal American tender, but he forced us to miss the ferry and then stated I would not be riding the ferry at all that nite.

I called 911, and had the police, officer Robertson, attend. After the police spoke to him he came out and told me he would be glad to take my money if I come into the office so he can count it. The policeman and I went into the office with Mr. Hughes where he finally accepted my money.

While I was in there the captain came in. He told me that people are deliberately paying with change to slow the ferry workers down and puts an extra load on them. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!. I now encourage EVERYONE to pay for their ferry fare with change, Make sure it is rolled (ask yourself how they know that the rolls are actually full) and if they make you wait, call the police. The ferry workers, and this includes you Mr. Monte Hughes, according to the police have absolutely no authority to make you wait nor do they have the authority to refuse legal US tender. I will not stand to be treated like a second class citizen because I happen to live on Guemes Island and drive a beater Volkswagon. What if this had happened on the last run? I would be stranded at the dock with no money and a carload of groceries. I am disabled, but I am also a human being and no one gets away with what Mr. Monte Hughes did tonite. I was rude and belligerant right back at him but not until he had forced us to miss a ferry and refused to take my money. I also called him an idiot which he clearly is!!

On a separate incident, my husband Bill Chamberlain attempted to board the ferry for the 10:00 run with only a $50.00 bill on him. The female worker told him she did not have change so either "go back to town and break it, buy a book of tickets, or make other arrangements to get home". He is the caretaker for my dad and at the time my dad was still living on Guemes. Bill needed to get back to my dad to administer very important medication on time. Because of the stupidity and unwillingness to work WITH the community instead of against us, my dad missed his meds that nite. He actually could have had a stroke or died. Fortunately that did not happen, but do you see what I am trying to tell you? It now seems the ONLY way to get fair AFFORDABLE transportation out of our ferry service is to make it as hard on the ferry workers as possible. They will finally complain and maybe we will get back to the old system that not only worked but was fair to everyone. I remember giving the ferry workers a bottle of spirits every Xmas. If I wasn't a Christian woman I would tell you what I would like to give them now.

Please, everyone. Do not put up with this treatment anymore. Stand up for your rights. What has happened to the Guemes spirit that has been present on this island long before most of us were even born? This will continue unless we, the people, make our voices heard.

[1.8.6]

Richard Davidson

Where have all the good people gone?

We live on an island and depend on a twenty-seven year old ferry that is outdated by the number of inhabitants that live on the same island as you do. This ferry operates approximately 120 hours per week, 365 days a year, rain or shine and operates even on Christmas day without a break.

Just think about this! While you are enjoying a pleasant holiday dinner with you family, some ferry worker is performing their job. When this ferry was first acquired, it was known at the time that the new ferry would be needed to be replaced by the year 2000. Needless to say, there comes a time when the ferry breaks down and some people are inconvenienced. Remember, we live on an island and must expect problems when your only mode of water transportation is required to work so much. Ninety-five percent of the island inhabitants are the best people to live with. It is the five percent that are causing the problems. If you are in the ninety-five percentile, congratulations and thank you for being there. However, if you are in the five percentile, thank you for making my day. There are half of the five percent demands that the ferry wait for them when they arrive late. The other half would like the ferry to leave early because they are already on board. How can we please everyone?

[More]

[10.14.5]

Ginger Orsini

Be careful what you ask for!

The whole county apparently saw an overwhelming increase in their assessments. Real estate investing and speculation are largely to blame.

If we claim that ferry unavailability is the reason we should demand lower tax assessments, the commissioners (particularly King Ted) will gladly accomodate us and extend our hours of operation when all the repairs, and other expensive and unnecessary changes are made. They will demand higher ferry rates. And they have even started proceedings to request grants for a larger ferry, even though ridership has been down lately.

I think we need to keep on the message that the high tax assessements will cause gentrification of the island, as well as other areas of the county. That the county requires higher taxes because of its fiscal mismanagement, and that the commissioners are actually working to serve elitists, and are promoting elitism by pushing out the working class, middle class, and retirees that now inhabit the island, and most of the county. The county does not need to be throwing all the money it has at the Guemes Ferry.

The ferry has been out of operation for a variety of reasons. We need to claim foul only when it is a case of poor management of tax funds by the public works department, and lack of fiscal responsibility from our commissioners. Otherwise, the commissioners will come back to us saying, "What do you Guemes Islanders want? One minute you're asking for more ferry service, and the next you don't want more. We're tired of listening to you, and are going to do what we think best (want to do anyway), and open the Island up to unchecked development."

I think we should all be involved with Friends of Guemes Island, and pass this matter through that organization.

Check out the letter from David Ashbach's wife (Ted Anderson's sister) in response to FGI's letter (in the Evening Star) on Linetime to get a feeling for Ted's vision of the future of Guemes.

Keep the faith!

[10.13.5]

Terry Ebersole

We, like a lot of other islanders, have just received our Property Value Change Notice from the County Assessor. To put it mildly, the assessed valuation of our house has INCREASED A LOT.

I have spoken today with David, one of the assessors about our concerns with the increase and have reported to him that with the car ferry unavailable 28 percent of the time during the last year it is difficult to understand the significant increase in value--to wit, if you can't get to your property more than a quarter of the time how does its value increase. He, of course, was surprised by the amount of ferry outage, etc., etc. I've asked for a petition to file an appeal which we're considering based on the ferry service problem.

It occurs to me that if enough islanders acted similarly there is the possibility of starting a "rumble" in another part of the county vis-a-vis the lousy ferry service brought to us by the PWD and We Three Kings.

[10.10.5]

Marilee Fosbre

(Writing as a haul-out weary rider and not as a member of the Ferry Committee)

While it was quite nice to catch a glimpse of the ferry again after ALL THIS TIME in the pictures sent by Mr. Cox, I fail to see how he considers the following statement to be a progress report:

"Below are photographs showing the progress of the haul out. The painting of the bottom is 90% complete. We are awaiting out drive return to finish painting. The sponson extension is complete and has been painted. The machinery work is in progress with new engine house extensions being fabricated. I will send progress photos on a regular basis for everyone's information".

To me a more satisfying progress report would include information on specific timing issues such as; when is the expected return of the out drive and just how long does it take one to "fabricate new engine house extensions"?

Are we talking days, weeks? Will there be more horrible days freezing, while waiting for some boat to show up at some unknown time to take us to Cap Sante, where we can freeze again waiting for inadequate van service?

How about letting us know when those days will be? The tide table is not late breaking news...that information is predictable and should be immediately available just as it should have been communicated well in advance the last time.

[10.6.5]

Marcus Merrow

This is in response to the garbage that is being left outside the fence in the new parking lot. Even though there have been some inconveniences in regards to ferry service during the shutdown, I think the county has been more than helpful in regards to the garbage issue by providing the island with two large dumpsters. We should all be responsible and thoughtful of our neighbors, especially in light of our recent rat problem, and only bring our garbage down to drop off when the county attendant is on duty.

Thank you.

[9.28.5]

Lea DeVere

Dear Mr. Cox,

I attended the Guemes Ferry Committee meeting on September 11th, the day before the boat was taken out of service. At the meeting the captain of the Arrow and Warrior told us about anticipated delays, and was asked by those present to post information ahead of time so that everyone would have time to plan accordingly. He said he would do so. That was two weeks ago.

Why did it take two weeks to get this information posted? The memo from you, dated 9/24, regarding delays starting on 9/24, (the same day), left many with NO NOTICE and no time to plan and rearrange schedules.

I don't know where the breakdown in communication occurred or why, but I do know that this caught many people completely unprepared, and has created considerable hardship for many (my neighbor may loose her job as a result of these delays).

This ferry is not just a luxury for most of the people who live here... IT IS VITAL TRANSPORTATION. Please, please, please be considerate of our need to know what is going on in advance so we can all make the necessary adjustments in own lives.

Thank you.

[9.27.05]

Shirley Gladish

I live on nothing but minimal Social Security and will find the doubling of Guemes Ferry fares a large burden since I am also disabled and obliged to use my vehicle. I also feel that proper management in the past by the responsible officials would have made such drastic increases unecessary. Our service has been pitiable due to official mismanagement and now the ferry users are being unfairly asked to cover the costs of neglectful attention by managers at the county level.

[8.16.05]

Linda Lewis

My husband and I moved to Guemes Island because we wanted to spend time raising our children ourselves, in a safe and nurturing environment, rather than both working and sending our babies to daycare. So, as a stay at home mom with 2 toddlers, I count every penny!

We are barraged by increasing expenses despite our relatively simple lives. The dollar impact on frequent ferry users seems disproportionate if not downright punitive. I believe the state can help the county formulate a more farsighted and equitable plan to keep ferry finances within reasonable parameters.

Please consider the arguments below. They represent the impassioned voice of moderation and reason.

[8.20.05]

"Digger" Tom Butler

To me this seems to be one half of an attempt by some county officials to destroy the community that exists and has existed for quite some time on Guemes. When I moved here in the early 80's most of my peers where, like myself, living a very marginal existence. We where able to find very affordable housing on Guemes because of the inconveniences caused by the ferry. I feel confident that is also a factor in why many people choose to retire here as well. It was certainly a factor when I was able to move back and buy a house here a little over a year ago.

Any fare increase is the equivalent of a rent or property tax increase for the people who live on Guemes (but not a tax increase for people who just own property). If this fare increase is allowed to become a reality I expect to see most of my friends that rent forced off of the island (resulting in lost revenue to the county from lost ferry fares and long standing members from our community). I see property values declining, resulting in more lost revenue for the county as property taxes fall, and a temporary "trapping" of home owners as their property values decline. I see islanders banding together to eliminate auto trips, further reducing revenue.

But I also see that some county officials have a plan to recoup that revenue by extending the ferry hours, against the general consensus of people who live on the island, allowing people to work much further away, and still live on Guemes. When this comes to pass, property values will once again rise and the county will realize the tax revenues deferred by the forced eviction of many members of our community.

But our community will lose its character and much of its diversity. While I expect the monetary "wealth" on Guemes to increase I see our community becoming much poorer.

[8.20.05]

Susan Rombeek

I met 6 people last night, who are unable to walk to or/and from the new parking area. They definitely cannot climb the stairs.

Being alone, they drive to the dock, leave their shopping there and find someone to watch it for them. (As they are unable to carry it all the way down once parked) Find a parking spot, walk laboriously to the ferry and hope to carry their stuff with help on the boat.

Then again they need help on the island side. Constantly needing goodwill of others.

Little consideration is given to these constituents. We need to have ALL THE PARKING CLOSE TO THE FERRY assigned to them, not only 2 spots for the "officially" handicapped.

[8.16.05]

Mack Thomson

During the past shutdowns I was unable to transfer my Father Mack Thomson on to or into the footboat, he had to suffer and endure much pain as a result of the makeshift replacement you folks put in place. I think it is totally unfair you treat war veterans and the elderley with such blatant dissregaurd. Now as a pentioner and on a fixed income you will force my family off this Island because of your silly lack of management skills, you Ted Anderson are a turncoat and should resign simply because you are to emotionally involved on making this your place in history.

Shame Shame on your Greedyness...

[8.17.05]

Alan and Diana Millikan

We especially object to the increase in fares because there has been no attempt by the Skagit County commissioners or the director of the Skagit County Department of Public works to control or reduce unnecessarily high operation costs despite repeated requests and suggestions by Guemes Island residents. Especially egregious was the hiring of fourth crewmember per vessel trip at an annual cost of well over $100,000. The Lummi Island ferry operates with 3 crew members and meets all Coast Guard and State Auditor requirements.

[8.17.05]

Susan Rombeek

I would like to point out to the Commissioners that we seniors, on a fixed income, who are most affected by your 120% increase in fares, also do not get a financial break when we purchase a 20 ticket booklet.

20 tickets for $126 = $6.00 more than 20 tickets at $6.00 a piece. Another inconvenience for us and to the crew, as we will now have to buy our single ticket every time we go across. I am appalled by your lack of consideration for your most vulnerable residents and voters.

[8.16.05]

Jodi Meekins

It is outrageous that frequent users (who also pay taxes that are used to pay for ferry costs) are expected to pay for the expensive mismanagement of the Guemes Island Ferry. The County Commissioners recognized the work previously completed to suggest reasonable fares based on ridership paying their fair share of Operating Expenses. It is our understanding that this is the same structure as the State Ferries. We were to pay 80% of Operating expenses to be increased to 100% of Operating expenses. Now the County is ignoring that commitment. It is not reasonable that Ferry Fares should pay for County Assets (Real Estate and the Ferry, itself). Especially considering that they have not applied for State or Federal funds to pay for improvements. They just come to the Ferry Fares pool of money to pay for their inability to manage the process of Improvement expenditures. That is neither fair nor reasonable.

[8.16.05]

Shanna Flowers

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

I am furiouse with this commity for allowing this rate hike. I understand that we need money to run the ferry but you are going to raise it too quickly and my family is now forced to move from a home we love. Not all of the people on the island are rich. Families like myself have limited budgets and can not afford a move nor the sudden double of prices. YOu are allowing the snobs of the island to root out the people they don't want here. I think this is yet another tactic to controll the growth of the island and who visit. I forsee a lot of people forced to leave the island because they can not afford to go to and from their own homes. It is not fair and it is stupid to increase these fairs so high so quickly. I don't think you fairly listened to the whole island residents or even asked. I believe you ignore the percentage of people that are not agreeing with you. And that is unfair.

[8.6.05]

Shanna Flowers

I do apologize for the dogs that have been barking. The dogs are my sisters and mothers. they sold their home and have been without a home and living in motels for the past few weeks due to incompetent agents. It has been hard for us as well as my parents. For the record I have heared other dogs as well barking, and they too have deep hound barks. It is irritating that because someone hears that I got a new animal that it is automatically my animal doing the barking. They have been here for several weeks and it is only recently that they have started barking. That is due to a coyote terrorizing my animals. Only two people said something to me, one was quite rude and that was not appreciated. We have done our best to stop them short of a bullet in the head of a coyote that won't go away. It angers me no one wants to ask me why they are barking and ask if I may need assistance in finding a remody. I and my sister have stayed up late trying to keep the coyote away. When the dogs did bark it was two or three times during the night, and each time we were right there trying to stop them. Anyways they will be gone very soon, my mother is picking them up and taking them to her new home. It angers me that dogs can come onto my property and attack and kill some of my animals no one does a thing but heaven forbid dogs bark because there is something in their range that they see as a threat. It makes me wonder if people are going to complain because I or my children are being too noisy during the day or that the yard is too cluttered with toys.

It frustrates me that people concern themself with things like this when there are people, who are known residents speed down south shore drive when they know children frequent the street. The speed limit is 20 in front of my house, not 40. Is that not important to complain about. A child, bicyclists, horseback riders, or the many walkers the frequent the street could get hurt or killed. Don't get me wrong there has been many people on this island who have come to our aid when we needed it and we are grateful for their help.

I would just appreciate it if people would talk to me more than once about a problem. We have lived here for three years and every time someone has had a problem they have not come to us to discuss it. They have complained behind our back every time, and every time we found out we have tried each and every time to correct the problem. Which is more than I can say for people we have had problems with as well. Please don't get me wrong there are a lot of good people who live here and a lot of people who have been helpful that is why we love it here, but people who feel it unnecessary to try and get to the root of the problem ruin the love for this island. Now that I have said my peace, I would hope that this letter would encourage people to actually sit down and talk to each other when they have a problem, and try to better understand what is going on.

[8.6.05]

Robert W. Easton

Editor, Skagit Valley Herald

It is heartening to note in a recent editorial that your editorial board has concluded that “Skagit County residents must wonder whether they can get a fair shake from a commission that seems ready to change the law abruptly to get its way”.

Guemes Island “elitists” don’t wonder. We have known it to be a fact for a long time.

[8.4.05]

Terry Ebersole

Skagit County Commissioners

Gentlemen:
Your newly adopted Guemes ferry fares are draconian. Imposing this level of increase in one increment is, plain and simple, arrogant behavior on your parts. Abuse of power by elected officials, like pornography, is not always
easy to define. But you know when you see it and this is it.

MOST Sincerely

[8.4.05]

Ian Woofenden

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

I'm increasingly aware and concerned that we have a _car_ ferry, when we should have a ferry that serves all people, not prioritizing people who choose to tote 2 or 3,000 pounds of steel and plastic around wherever they go. These are changes I'd like to see in the operation of the ferry:

* Eliminate one car lane, widening the other three lanes slightly, and designate 2/3 of the lane closest to the passenger cabin as a passenger walkway and bike parking area. The present arrangement is incredibly unfriendly to pedestrians and bicycles, which should have priority. Increase car fares by 30% to offset lost revenue from car space reduction.

* Implement fares based on deck space, and apply it to walk-on passengers at the same rate as vehicles. Make appropriate rates for scooters, golf carts, trikes, and other low-impact, smaller vehicles.

* Always give priority loading and unloading to people, not cars. Larger horsepower modes of transportation should yield to smaller horsepower, not vice versa.

Additional modest proposals:

* Either eliminate the deck hand who tells drivers when to stop driving, or add a parking attendant to every public parking spot in the county. Drivers are capable of parking their cars at the grocery store, courthouse, post office, and elsewhere without hitting other cars or buildings, and they make very efficient use of the space. We don't need someone to tell us how to park, and if we do, our friends and neighbors can tell us.

* Hire Siamese twins to sell and take tickets, so users can buy tickets from one hand and have them taken by the other, without having to deal with two people 40 feet apart, and set our luggage down twice if we're walking. Alternatively, just eliminate the fourth crew member -- the present system is laughable.

[7.21.05]

Edward A. and Susan B. Rombeek

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

When it comes time to make your final decissions, thought should be given to the following items of concern before the ferry rates are drastically increased:

1. There are many older people living on the island who inherited, or acquired, their property a long time ago when prices were more reasonable. They are now living on a fixed income at a time when property taxes alone are rising fast.

2. Quite a few islanders live on little more than their social security income, cannot afford a second car to park on the other side, but need to drive across because they are unable to carry their purchases onto the boat and up and down the hill to the parking areas.

3. Older islanders need to go to the hospital for physical therapy and other medical needs; visit theit old friends in nursing homes, go to the Senior Center for health and recreation, and visit their places of worship.

There is really not much we receive from the County, no police protection, no library services, no decent boat launch facility, no fire protection, no new roads or road improvements. Keep the rates reasonable.

[7.7.05]

Anne Passarelli

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

I strongly object to the way the proposed fare schedule has been developed and is being presented to the Guemes community. This proposal has been put together with no input from the Ferry Committee that was duly recognized by the Commissioners last year as our voice in ferry decision-making processes. It was released to the public 6 days prior to its consideration at a public meeting that has received practically no publicity. This is not an appropriate way for the county to make or implement decisions.

[7.1.05]

Carl M. Cady

Skagit County Board of Commissioners

As a long standing resident and property owner on Guemes Island I have concerns as to the County’s business practices and adherence to the Professional Engineers Code of Conduct described in WAC 196-27A-010 to 030. I participated in the County funded Guemes Island Ferry Schedule & Fare Policy Task Force and have spent untold personal time interacting with all levels of Public Works in an effort obtain safe and efficient ferry service with justifiable fares.

The Professional Engineers in the State of Washington have a Code of Conduct that they must follow or suffer the possible loss of license. I am concerned that your Engineers under your guidance may not be following these standards. The Principle areas of concern are quoted from the earlier mentioned WAC as follows:

“Registrants are obliged to be honest, fare and timely in their dealings with the public”

“Registrants must be able to demonstrate that their final documents and work products conform to accepted standards.”

“Registrants shall be objective and truthful in professional documents, reports, public and private statements and testimony; all material facts, and sufficient information to support conclusions or opinions expressed, must be included in said documents, reports, statements and testimony. Registrants shall not knowingly falsify, misrepresent or conceal a material fact in offering or providing services to a client or employer.”

“Registrants shall offer their services in a truthful, objective professional manner that effects integrity and fosters public trust in the engineering and Land Surveying professions.”

Explicit acts of misconduct. – “Failing to respond to inquiries from clients, or other professionals regarding conflicts with the registrants work, opinions or procedures, in a manner that would be expected from a prudent practitioner”

The following instances of County Public Works behavior are supportive of my concerns as to their appropriate ethical conduct:

Ferry Cash Handling Procedures. From May 2003 to May 2005, Don Munks, Steve Flude and Chal Martin have steadfastly insisted the Skagit County Auditor’s cash handling procedures for the County prevented any alternatives but to add a 4th crew member to the ferry. The Ferry Committee GIFC) met with the County in every venue possible and always got the same answer. In May of 2005 I discovered that the County cash handling procedures are actually promulgated by the Treasurer’s Office and at a Commissioner’s hearing on May 17th confronted Chal Martin with this fact and he then agreed that it was true. Since that time Steve Flude has told the GIFC, during a Roundtable meeting, that Public Works will not discuss the procedures with the County Treasurer. Prior to implementing the 4th person solution for cash handling the State Auditor told the County not to solve a $10,000 problem with a $100,000 solution. In fact other counties that operate ferries have cash handling procedure that purposefully attempt to discourage adding additional personnel for cash handling purposes. All County personnel involved have been deceptive and irresponsible in the use of taxpayer funds.

Chaos at the dock requires 4th Crew member. Chal Martin made this quote before the Commissioners on May 31, 2005. He said that the 4th crew person was required for safety reasons due to the extreme increase of ferry ridership and associated ticketing requirements. The GIFC, at the Roundtable meeting on 6/2/05, asked Steve Flude for the ferry dock operations safety records that would substantiate Chal’s claim and were refused that information. Actual ridership increases provided in data from the county show vehicular and passenger traffic using the ferry have both had a total increased of 4% between 1996 and 2004. Additionally, Total vehicular and passenger traffic are off 7% and 19% respectively for the first 4 months of 2005 in comparison with 2004. The chaos is not due to traffic and can’t be described as objective and truthful.

Fare recovery from the ridership. At recent Commissioners meeting on May 2nd and May 17th, Commissioner Ted Anderson, counseled Public Works director Chal Martin that the model for fares recovery should include a fund for financing the next purchase of a replacement ferry. In Martins 5/31/05 presentation to the Commissioners he recommended that all the operating, maintenance, capital maintenance and a future ferry fund be included in the fares recovery model. RCW 47.04.140 specifically prohibits fares recovery from any cost “not necessary for operation, maintenance, administration and repair of county ferries and appurtenances”. “The penalty for violation of this RCW is a misdemeanor”.

Ferry operating financial data and schedules. Over the past two years the GIFC has repeatedly requested justification and definition of the cost elements for operating and maintaining the ferry, both from Steve Flude and Gary Rowe, the County Administrator. The requests have either been ignored or given a half hearted and far from incomplete attention. Recently, on May 2, 2005, Chal Martin presented data to the Commissioners, in public session, showing the average total ferry O&M expenses less total revenue for 2000-2004 amounted to $916,500 per year. Using the County’s own Deficit Reimbursement Report data for the same period the GIFC determined that the amount was $505,765 per year, a $400,000 difference. Revenues equal Ferry Fares + Deficit Reimbursement + Ferry MVFT. Additionally, the graph he used to display projected total O&M ferry costs to 2020, use a data base beginning in 1980 that includes crew wages which do not reflect adjustment due to the changes in crew size over time. This error assumes a crew size of 7-8 persons in 2020. It is critical in the process of financial planning and evaluating the need for ferry fare adjustments that factual information be used and reviewed by all concerned parties. The GIFC requests for review go unheeded. In light of the current ferry financial situation it would be irresponsible to add another $72,000 ($96,000 for four person crew) per year to the cost of the operation for the Extended Service Proposal without making it “revenue neutral” and without completing the Guemes Island GMA Sub-Area planning effort. The process of setting ferry fares and schedules must be open to public review. The venue for this to take place is in the “Roundtable” followed by recommendations to the BOCC.

I respectfully request a change in the County employee’s conduct, ethics and misuse of taxpayer funds. There is much more that could be said when you are willing to listen. I am available, at your pleasure, to review and discuss my comments. I would appreciate a response.

[6.13.05]

Carl Cady

Chal Martin, PE, Public Works Director

This is a follow up to previous conversations that we have had and concerns that I have expressed about the validity of the Guemes Island Ferry O & M cost, the Extended Service proposal and Ferry Revenues projections being presented to the BOCC.

On May 22, 2005, at your request, the Guemes Island Ferry Committee (GIFC) sent you a list of concerns about the Extended Service “Proposal” (extension of ferry service to Guemes Island to 10PM Monday-Thursday). At the subsequent Roundtable meeting, 6/2/05, Steve Flude told the GIFC that Public Works does not plan to respond to the letter. This sort of response from Public Works is not in keeping with professional expectations.

On May 2nd and again on May 17th you presented a Ferry expenses data sheet (attached) to the BOCC as justification for an increase in fares and showing “$916,500/year County Loss”. Using the Deficit Reimbursement Report data supplied by the county with “Revenues = Ferry Fares + Deficit Reimbursement + Ferry MVFT” I obtain an average of $505,765/year County Loss. This is some $400,000/yr less and is a material difference in our calculations. I would appreciate a review and explanation of this variance and report to the BOCC. Another graph “Guemes Island Ferry System System Wide Expenditures” presented to the BOCC on May 17th used an unadjusted data base that includes crew wages for a crew of two from 1980 to about 1989, a crew of three until 2002 and a crew of four since that time plus a mechanic added in the early 1990’s. At this rate the projection line in the year 2020 would have a crew 7-8 per shift. What would your cost projections look like if responsible three person staffing were used?

For sometime the GIFC has been trying to understand the true cost of adding the 4th crew person to the crew. On 6/20/02 you wrote to the Skagit county Treasurer and Auditor that the approximate cost would be $43,000/year. On 7/26/02 in a letter to the State auditor you estimated the 4th crew member cost at $92,000/year. In October 2005 Steve Flude sent me a stack of paper 1 inch thick that looked like a crew wages computer run with the total of $130,261 for the 4th crew member. Now in Flude’s projections for the 4th crew the range is from $98,650 to $127,415 per year. In total frustration with this scrabble of information I have proposed a simple logic model to estimate the cost of the 4th person. The model assumes that the crew wages are closely tied to the number of ferry operating hours that the crew is scheduled to work (overtime buried in overhead). The last good data base fiscal year, prior to the current cost escalations, is 2001. This model (copy attached) may also be used to estimate the cost of the Extended Service Proposal. The resulting calculations give a good accounting for the increase crew cost since 2001 and show that the 4th crew person actually cost $192,000/year. I would appreciate your professional response to how this cost should be presented to the BOCC.

In your presentation to the BOCC on May 31st, a graph titled “Guemes Island Ferry System Ridership Projections” was use to show the projections of ridership out to the year 2020, justifying the need for extended service and a new ferry. I have attached a copy of your recent presentation along with the same informational graph used in the May 2001 Capital and Facilities plan for the ferry. The two graphs are identical in all respects, based on data to the year 2001, except that the older graph projects to 2015. From time to time, I have requested the County’s ridership data-base used to plot these graphs and know that the information is not being used by the County since the graphs have not been updated since 2001. A few days ago Flude confirmed this to me in an e-mail. Also attached is a graph of the ridership titled “G.I. Ridership-Annual” which I developed using Excel and the County data base and have used in the GIFC presentations to the Ridership. You will note that passenger and vehicular ridership has increased a total of 4% since 1996, hardly justification for your comments to the BOCC that chaos at the dock and crew safety require a 4th crew person. Additionally, total vehicular and Passenger traffic are off 7% and 19% respectively when the first 4 months of 2005 are compared with 2004. It is important in the evaluation of ferry fares revenue that all relevant data be considered. What is the reason for not using the last three years of ridership data?

I am most willing to review my concerns about how the County is using data in the current process to justify ferry fares increases. Professional Engineers are responsible to present truthful information to both the public and the BOCC so that rational decisions may be made.

[6.13.05]

MJ Andrak

Skagit County Board of Commissioners

[6.10.05]

Frank Mudge & Deanna Wagner

Dear Commissioners,

We are opposed to extension of weekday Guemes Island ferry hours.

We are shocked, appalled, and dismayed by your decision to reopen this question and by your contention that island opinion is approximately divided on the subject. We believe there are many important considerations you are dismissing or ignoring.

Why do you claim that the old uncontrolled survey from several years ago better represents opinion than the two more recent ferry committee elections which saw overwhelming support for the candidates who oppose extending the hours?

Why are you dismissing the conclusions of the task force?

What are the costs associated with extended hours? We want a thorough independent analysis and a coherent plan to pay these costs.

What are your plans to maintain the boat? How will it perform under an extended schedule?

There should be full and informed public participation in the decision. There should be public hearings with adequate notice for the public to attend and comment. If you do not believe that the ferry committee election results correctly reflect ferry users’ consensus, perhaps there should be an advisory vote included in the next regular election. The ferry users may not be a sufficient sample. If the entire county is required to pay some or all the added costs, the entire county must be included in the decision. You should acknowledge the will of all the affected people of the county as well as the will of the ferry users.

We have followed this subject with attention and interest.

We see many reasons to maintain the current hours and no reasons for extension beyond pandering to a noisy minority. We believe that it is significant that the stated leaders of the extended schedule group are relative newcomers to the island and ferry usage. While we acknowledge that any resident’s opinion should be heard, they were irresponsible to move voluntarily to the island and then decry a situation that has existed for decades. They should assume responsibility for their choices.

[6.7.05]

David M. Wertheimer

Dear Skagit County Commissioners & Public Works Director and Ferry Manager:

I am a resident of and voter in Skagit County, living on Guemes Island. I am writing at this time to convey my strong opposition to any plans to extend weeknight operations of the Guemes Island ferry beyond the current 6:00 p.m. run.

According to County staff, there appears to be a substantial group of islanders who have been pushing for this schedule change. There may well be a vocal group of proponents for longer ferry hours that have made their desires known to the County, but there is no question that this group represents only a minority of island residents. One need look no further than our elected representatives to the Guemes Island Ferry Committee to confirm where the majority of islanders stand on this matter: Five out of our five duly elected Ferry Committee members are opposed to extending weeknight runs.

If you believe in a representative form of government, you will note this fact and respect the wishes and intent of the residents of Guemes Island. If, on the other hand, you prefer to support a tyranny of the minority, you will vote to change the existing ferry schedule.

Guemes Island is designated as a rural area due to a highly limited water supply (a sole source aquifer) and the fragile nature of the island’s ecosystem. Those of us who have chosen to live here moved to the island fully cognizant of this reality; in fact, many of us selected the island as our home precisely because of its rural nature.

Changing the ferry schedule will inevitably and permanently change the status of the island environment and community. While the short run gains to Skagit County in the form of increasing property tax revenues generated by development and appreciation of land values may improve the County’s fiscal health in the short term, in the long run the destruction of this precious rural resource benefits no one.

I urge you to take a longer-term perspective that reflects the democratic foundations of our island, our county, our state and our nation. I also urge you to adopt the truly conservative perspective and protect Guemes Island from a vocal few who support an irrevocable and harmful change.

[6.4.05]

Paul Beaudet

Dear Commissioners:

I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed extension of hours for the Guemes Island ferry on Monday through Thursday.

In its push for extended hours, the County appears to be relying upon the Berk & Associates survey that seemingly shows the island evenly split on the issue. Of all respondents (N=492), a majority was opposed to extension (53%). More telling, of full-time resident property owners (N=218), 61% were opposed to evening service. Part-time resident property owners (N=233) were more evenly split, with only one vote separating those who favored and opposed extension. The only groups who overwhelmingly favored extension were full-time resident renters (N=20) and nonresident ferry customers (N=18).

The 215 residents and nonresidents who favored extended hours were only asked one follow-up question: “If yes, to what time?” The survey did not ask other relevant follow-up questions, such as:

* On average, how many trips would you expect to make each month during these extended hours?

* Would you be willing to pay higher fares for extended service?

* Would you favor extended hours if additional service increased the amount of development on the island?

These are very relevant questions. Addressing the possible consequences of extended service would likely have changed the responses you received. You cannot make an informed decision about extended hours without first estimating the anticipated ridership, the willingness of all riders to pay more for such a service, and the effect on the island’s quality of life.

The greatest financial burden would fall upon island residents who are the ferry’s most frequent users. Since the 2002 survey, island residents have continued to demonstrate opposition to the extension of hours. Members of the Guemes Island Ferry Committee who oppose the extension of hours have won the support of a supermajority of the island’s voters in two election cycles.

Property owners who spend weekends or summers on the island may think that extended hours are a wonderful idea, but nonresidents are unlikely to use the service enough to make the extended hours financially sustainable.

Access to the island is limited on weekdays, and has been for years. Residents and property owners shouldn’t be surprised or disappointed that the ferry stops running at 6 p.m. Those who support extended hours shouldn’t expect more ferry service than that which existed when they acquired property here. They have other options; commercial water taxis can shuttle people on and off the island at any time.

I split my time between Seattle and the island, and would arguably benefit from the extension of hours, yet I am strongly opposed.

I request that the County:

* Hold public hearings to solicit input on the issue;

* Adhere to the roundtable process adopted by Commissioners;

* Conduct a comptroller’s analysis of the extension proposals costs;

* Evaluate the added costs of maintenance and fuel brought on by running a mechanically troubled vessel longer hours.

[6.4.05]

Roz Glasser

Dear County Commissioners,

I am writing to respond to the Commissioner's proposal to extend the Guemes Island ferry hours and your recent statements to justifying the need to consider this proposal.

Contrary to claims by the Commissioners, extending operation hours of the Guemes ferry would encourage unplanned growth on Guemes Island and undermine efforts to develop a sub-area plan. Further, approval of this proposal would raise serious conflicts with the Growth Management Act (GMA) and directly contradict adopted County code.

Two primary objectives of the GMA are to protect rural character and critical areas (in this case one of the most critical is the island's sole source aquifer) by ensuring that premature expansion of public services do not encourage growth there. These goals reflect the primary basis of the GMA that there is a direct connection between extending public services and growth. Extending ferry service hours is no exception.

The Commission has officially affirmed the connection between ferry service and land use by adopting the County Comprehensive Plan in Section 4A-7.15(e). This provision specifies the need for a sub-area plan on Guemes Island, which among other things, requires policy direction on “sole source aquifer issues, ferry service, and maintaining rural character”. In adopting this plan, the County established a direct connection between growth management planning and these issues, as GMA intended. Having validated these relationships, it is unclear why the Commissioners now insist there is no connection between them.

Further, when you approved Resolution No 20030037, authorizing GIPAC to prepare a sub-area plan to implement Section 4A-7.15(e) of the Comprehensive Plan, you reinforced the importance of Guemes Island developing policy direction on these issues now. To now consider expanding ferry service before this plan is in place, would make a mockery of the GMA and your own policy.

In addition to the Commissioners stating that there is a lack of a linkage between ferry service and land use, the Guemes Island ferry has been singled out for the subsidy it receives. Having approved numerous budgets, the Commission is surely aware that government services are provided based on need and not whether the tax income from a particular geographic area matches the expenditures there.

After decades of experience with county budgets, it is clear to me that, indeed, most county services are subsidized. This is especially true for road and transportation facilities which are subsidized at every government level throughout the country. In fact, it can be said that the very purpose of government budgeting is to fairly distribute subsidies within its jurisdiction.
I am not saying here that islanders should not pay their fair share of ferry costs. We should. But isn't is possible that the ferry is being used as a poster child for poor fiscal policy that could occur in any program anywhere else in the county?

In closing, I would ask that you review the GMA and your past land use decisions that are now part of the County code. They clearly establish a relationship between ferry hours and land use and require a sub-area plan for the island. To make unfounded public statements to justify contrary action is not helpful in addressing the problem or in supporting the communications needed to resolve it. It only serves to alienate our community who is trying mightily to maintain civil discourse on this matter. I ask further that you honor your decisions by encouraging the sub-area plan to be completed and adopted before considering extending ferry hours.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

[6.4.05]

Kirk Lunsford

I am responding to the letter from the Ferry Committee dated May 1, 2005.

In the last two paragraphs of the letter, an effort is made to draw a connection between contract talks and extended ferry service. This is not true. Skagit County is required to bargain wages, hours, and working conditions with our Union. There has been no mention of extended ferry service in the current negotiations.

I don't like being used by the Ferry Committee to rally the troops. I think the Ferry Committee created this problem by using their influence on the Task Force to ignore the people who asked to explore extended ferry service. Now that the pro-extended ferry service people seem to have the county's ear, the Ferry Committee is looking for someone to blame. I suggest they look in the mirror.

[5.28.05]

Phyllis Swenson

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

I implore you to not extend ferry hours. My husband and I have made Guemes Island our home for the express reasons of low crime rate, little traffic & peaceful evenings. With extended ferry hours, all of this will change plus the impact on our water table will be increased.

Please heed the wishes of the majority of our island residents by not extending the ferry hours.

[5.26.05]

J. Robert Henderson

Skagit County Board of Commissioners

Re: Ferry Hours Extension

Dear Commissioners:

As a member of the Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee, I am writing to urge that you postpone or cancel consideration of the above matter, until the subarea plan for Guemes Island has been completed. More adequate information would then be available to the public, on both sides of this issue, about potential adverse impacts of growth that may be induced by expanding ferry hours. In addition, please consider the following:

This action would encourage growth on Guemes Island, a rural area under the Growth Management Act (GMA), and therefore would be in contradiction to the GMA.

Expanding the hours of ferry service would be covered by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and may well require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As a minimum, the County is required to conduct a Threshold Determination (i. e., checklist), including public notification as required by law. If it did not do so, the County would clearly be in violation of SEPA.

Instead of preparing an EIS or a Threshold Determinination at this time, it would be much more practical to await completion of the subarea plan, in which various growth scenarios will be evaluated. Even a Threshold Determination will require assumptions about growth in order to evaluate potential impacts. The potential impacts of more households on the aquifer must be evaluated (saltwater intrusion, wastewater), along with added traffic on narrow, thinly paved county roads, and many other problematic issues. Before this matter is allowed to proceed, the public on both sides of this issue should have that information.

The will of the island residents should prevail, and their opinions have certainly been made known by recent elections to the ferry committee of candidates who do not favor extending service. Because of the intense public interest, a public hearing should be held on Guemes Island with adequate public notice, instead of the minimal notice experienced recently. The roundtable process previously found acceptable should be used, not bypassed. To our knowledge, the financial impacts of expanded ferry service have not been analyzed. Expanding service seems questionable for a ferry that is unable to fulfill current obligations due to frequent breakdowns. It would be appropriate to follow the recommendations of the Fares and Scheduling Task Force.

[5.24.05]

Peggy Starr

Dear Commissioners:

I am appalled at your approach to the situation you have allowed to develop surrounding the Guemes Ferry. You have turned a deaf ear to your constituents' observations of poor management and bad decisions and now you have the audacity to indicate that the only representative contact the islanders have with the County has possibly 'outlived its usefulness' (refer to 5/18 Skagit Valley Herald article).

This comment, added to the unprofessional remarks made by you at the May 2 Work Session about excessive time spent on ferry matters and the islanders' vocal interest in their own future, lead me to believe you would like us to just quietly continue to let you and Public Works mismanage the ferry system that we all depend on.

Why would you even entertain the sudden revelation from Chal Martin that there is a revenue shortage when the Task Force (which included Public Works) so recently concluded their studies, calculations and recommended fare changes and those changes have been put in place? And why would you sit there unquestioning in the May 2 meeting while Mr. Martin blatantly misspoke of the 'nearly evenly divided' island opinions about extended weekday hours when you all knew that was untrue? Why did you spend the money on the consultant's studies if you're going to ignore the results? Why did you sanction the Ferry Committee, Task Force and Roundtable processes only to let non-representative groups circumvent those processes?

I urge you to review our County's mission and ask yourself if you are truly participating in trying to accomplish that mission with your combative and unbusinesslike approach to the ferry system. Hmmmm...

"OUR MISSION is to be recognized as a premier county in Washington State for providing professional leadership, operational excellence, timely assistance, and maximum efficiency in service delivery to our customers."

Guemes Island is a special treasure within a beautiful county, and it deserves all the attention, time and difficult decisions necessary to preserve it. Some of these decisions will require courage on your part and may not appear to be cost effective in the normal sense. These decisions need to be made in concert with the Sub Area planning process and must represent the desires of the majority of islanders. Please try to put aside your personal interests and your egos and relish the fact that many Guemes Islanders care deeply enough about its future to participate and to criticize. After all, that is what the democratic process is all about, isn't it?

[5.20.05]

Robert W. Easton

Skagit Valley Herald

The article in your May 3 issue requires some clarification. The Skagit County Commissioners ordered a survey of the Guemes Island Ferry by Berk and Associates at a cost of $300,000 to the taxpayers of Skagit County. That study and several other studies do not support extending ferry runs after 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, despite Commissioner Munks statement to the contrary.

The Berk firm worked with Public Works, county transportation groups, ferry users, and a group of island residents over an extended period of time; the time spent by Berk Associates and Public Works personnel at taxpayer expense. Island residents worked without remuneration. This work produced a roundtable plan and process. This plan was adopted by the Skagit County Commissioners and the Guemes Island Ferry committee which assumed that the commissioners would honor it and communicate with the Ferry Committee.

The recent Commissioners meeting to consider a proposal from a group favoring extended hours came as a surprise to the ferry committee. It is regrettable that the commissioners cannot honor the suggestions proposed by the consultants they hired and which they adopted.

Your readers are surely aware of the quality of service that Guemes Island residents have put up with this year. We have an expensive new parking lot in Anacortes (not yet open) with it’s beautiful brick wall behind which car prowlers and gas siphoning can go undetected by Anacortes Police but the parking lot on the Guemes side is not scheduled until 2006. Island residents are not aware of a need for it, but a new waiting room in Anacortes is scheduled for this year at a cost of $35,000.

[5.14.05]

Tim Wittman

Jackie Wittman's comments concerning a compromise position regarding ferry hours makes a great deal of sense to me. After all, we have a wonderful, new, SECURE parking area that is very near completion and is available for use. Having foot passenger-only services in the evening hours simultaneously addresses several existing areas of concern in the operation and use of the ferry Guemes. This plan encourages . . .

1. Increased emphasis on the "foot passenger" option. If it's the only option in the evening, people will use it. And if people like it, they will use this option during other scheduled times during the day . .. . in other words, "Try it, you like it!"

2. Greater use of the new parking area will reduce parking congestion in the neighborhood surrounding the ferry dock; much to the delight of our tolerant Anacortes neighbors.

3. Provides a system whereby current ferry employees would have greater job security . . especially the new folks.
This idea will work ONLY if we develop some kind of technologically sound method of calculating and collecting fares. My thinking here is that by using technology to streamline the duties of the purser and loading crew (reinstating the 3 person system, eliminating the need for the 4th person), and offering foot passenger-only service in the evening hours, we simultaneously reduce daily operating costs, redirect these savings toward expanded existing crew hours into the evening "foot passenger-only" runs, and finally, encourage environmentally and ecologically sound principles of travel, consistent with the values of the majority of Guemes Islanders.

What Technology? I find it ironic that people can check out their own groceries at Fred Meyer in Burlington simply using a credit card or debit card with only distant supervision by a cashier; walk into any Star Bucks coffee shop with a re-usable, pre-paid plastic card and simply "walk away with a latte;" call anywhere in the world using a pre-paid telephone card; buy a horse or a car or whatever your heart desires on the internet . . . and yet we are still utilizing out-of-date, inefficient procedures using paper coupon books, cash exchange, making change, paper coupon receipts, and additional personnel to do the job that the swipe of a card can accomplish in an instant.

It's time to put our collective heads together and work as a team to deal with the growing pains of Guemes Island. This need not be a black and white issue. Guemes Islanders are a special breed of people. With regard to development and resource concerns, not everyone who has considered a home on Guemes Island has been willing to accept reduced/limited access in exchange for living here. In the same fashion, not everyone who would consider living on the island would accept evening access restricted to a foot passenger-only situation. Last, but not least, the foot passenger-only option in the evening still allows people the opportunity to attend church services, school functions, volunteer club meetings, scouts, choir practices, and other activities that take place mid-week, in the evening, but previously out of the question under the current ferry schedule.

[5.14.05]

Jackie Wittman

I am against the extension of ferry hours for the following reasons:

-Increase of ferry hours will add increased density that will
negatively impact the quality of life on the island.

-Adding additional ferry runs on the island will put more pressure on the morning runs to accommodate the increased commuter traffic so consequently you may have to add additional morning runs.

-The first fare increase recently implemented is the first of 4 that the task force approved of. Ultimately "double punching" the pass for evening runs will be very cost prohibitive.

This vessel has been shown to be unreliable in the last 6 months and using it for extension of service is clearly poor judgment.

-Increased use will add to possibility of increased crime. This is a serious concern with a lack of law enforcement on the island.

However I do believe that a compromise will be needed regarding the extension of ferry hours since it has become a black/white, win/lose situation. An idea that has been tossed around is to extend the ferry hours in the evening as proposed but use passenger-only service. This would allow those who need extended service to meet their needs and address quality of life issues as well. Since you have built a beautiful new parking lot, this also makes fiscal sense.

[5.14.05]

Susan Ferrel

Skagit County Commissioners
Chal Martin, Director of Public Works
Steve Cox, Ferry manager
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee

It seems appauling to me that the ferry committee would be taking sides on the issue of weekday evening hours, when island residents are equally divided on this. I strongly hope that our commissoners and those working for us at public works recognize the inappropriateness of the ferry committees actions. When I spent a couple hours composing a letter to them, not one of the five members gave me the consideration of a reply. Please recognize they seem to be taking sides soley based on their own agendas. Continuing to run the f