Comments

May 19, 2006 at 8:41pm • Created by: LineTime

Comments on any Guemes issue are welcome. To send comments to LineTime, just click on this link: LineTime.org Your email program will open with a new message already addressed to us. Also please indicate if you wish us to post your comments on the web site. We will not edit any comments but do insist that all comments be signed.

It is all a big conspiracy...	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]


The growing animosity of the Board of Commissioners towards residents of Guemes Island	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Commissioners: In a telephone conversation with the Clerk of the Skagit County Board of Equalization today, we have withdrawn our petition regarding the assessed true and fair value of our property, Parcel # P68063.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]

In this day of bureaucracy and regulation maybe for once culture and humanism can prevail	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]

It is time to put on our ‘Aloha Shirts’.	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]

The rudest, most absolutely avoidable, nasty experience I have ever experienced on our ferry.	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]

Where have all the good people gone?	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]

Be careful what you ask for!	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]

Starting a "rumble"	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]

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?	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]

Only bring our garbage down to drop off when the county attendant is on duty.	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]

This ferry is not just a luxury for most of the people who live here... it is vital transportation.	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]

Guemes Ferry fares a large burden	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]

The dollar impact on frequent ferry users seems disproportionate if not downright punitive.	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]

While I expect the monetary "wealth" on Guemes to increase I see our community becoming much poorer.	"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]

Little consideration is given to these constituents.	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]

You will force my family off this Island because of your silly lack of management skills	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]

There has been no attempt...to control or reduce unnecessarily high operation costs	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]

I am appalled by your lack of consideration for your most vulnerable residents and voters.	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]

Neither fair nor reasonable	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]