Frank R Mudge

Skagit Valley Herald

Your November 21 article on The Guemes Island Ferry does not accurately reflect islanders’ sentiments. Saying the late ferries have divided the community ignores the intensity of the opposition. The island has voted between two and three to one against late runs in several elections. In an informal survey, non residents also voted against extended hours, although by a narrower margin. The island opposition to late weekday runs remains very strong to this day.

The visible support is led by Mr. David Wehrly, quoted in your article. He claims strong support for the late runs. His group, “Skagit County Citizens for Professional Transportation Management” has a great name but no evident substance. There is no website. Google and Yahoo searches don’t find them. Neither I nor several well connected islanders have ever heard of a public meeting. Mr. Wehrly has ignored an invitation to present his views on the island website. A ferry committee member can’t recall ever seeing him at any ferry committee meeting. This is not the profile of an actual public advocacy organization. From all evidence, Mr. Wehrly speaks only for himself and a few buddies. Very few!

The extended runs are an abomination, representing a tyranny of a small minority. These runs waste county resources to provide a service which is strongly opposed by the recipients. Why should other residents of the county see their taxes so blatantly misused?

[12.3.7]

L.R. Blackmer

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

It seems that the continual problem of the Commissioners is the cost of the late run ferry. Why not add a late run fee to those who use the ferry after six? I am one of the late users, on occasion, and would pay the added cost to help defer overages in order to keep the late runs. I think a dollar per trip would cover the loss, and help keep the runs.

It also seems to me that the cost of our ferry running late runs is a small issue compared to widening Highway 20. Why is there no outcry to that expense? How long will it take and what are the overage costs to a project of that magnitude? Our ferry pales in comparison.

[8.13.7]

David Slabaugh

To the Skagit Valley Herald:

Your editorial of 7-3 not only insults the common sense of Guemes Islanders, it also misses the point.

Late ferry hours on weekdays are good for school kids and people with medical needs. But the greater benefit is to folks' shopping and entertainment desires.

Underpinning those gains is the greed for speedier growth, an increase in property values, and the building of McMansions.

You say Guemites have a "private enclave" attitude. I say we want to keep a bit of rural character in a county that's being swallowed by suburbia while our opinion-makers and leaders pooh-pooh the notion that growth management just might be a good idea.

If we are elitists, as you've said before, then you are the lackeys of the modern robber-barons: those business profiteers and builders and Realtors® who accept, as a price of growth, the demise of peace and quiet.

That's the attitude we suffer from Commissioner Munks who said (approximately), "Hoards of people are moving to Skagit County and we need to put them somewhere." He means to put them on Guemes Island, South Fidalgo, the farmlands, the flood plains, and every other remaining "open" space - until they're all full.

Your editorial suggests that the county's subsidizing unneeded and unwanted ferry services is OK because the growth of property values and the expansion of consumerism are promoted. We mind because our ticket prices doubled, and will rise again, because of such comparatively shoddy values that ignore rural character and sustainability.

And how can you think nobody else in the county minds paying for the commissioners' experiment?

[8.5.7]

Frank Mudge

Is There Any Substance to David Wehrly’s Group?

At the May 21 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Mr. Wehrly said he was speaking for the “Skagit County Citizens for Professional Transportation Management”. Listening, I wondered about this organization and his claims of support. I did not take notes, but according to the story in the Herald, they comprise 130 island and 250 off-island county residents as well as 40 commercial businesses that use the ferry. I wonder why I hear of them directly only when Mr. Wehrly speaks.

So I asked some well connected islanders who are active in ferry affairs. No one had heard of this group ever holding a public meeting. I tried the web. The search engines have a few second hand references but no web site or other direct listing. I wonder, seven years into the twenty-first century, how can a group attempting to influence public policy and seeking support not have a web site?

After some entries during 2004, they disappeared from LineTime. I understand that they have ignored an invitation to appear on LineTime. Further, when the Ferry Committee conducted an advisory vote on weekday extended ferry hours, Mr. Wherly was not even willing to write a “pro” argument.

What is the evidence supporting Mr. Wherly’s claims of supporters? This is very hard to pin down. But there is one interesting fact. When the Ferry Committee conducted the advisory vote last year, there were 96 votes supporting the extended service. But back in early 2004, Mr. Wehrly and Mr. Schmokel claimed support from over 100 ferry users. There was no breakdown between islanders and off-islanders. In May, 2005, they claimed 125 islanders were in support. At the recent May 21 meeting, the Herald says Mr. Wehrly claimed support from 130 islanders. Let’s consider that the Ferry Committee vote probably included many votes from folks who don’t know about Mr. Wherly. Where were Mr. Wehrly’s people? If his numbers are real, there should have been far more than 96 “pro” votes while he was building his ranks from 125 to 130. Google didn’t find his organization. Could Sam Spade find his followers?

I also wonder how deeply committed his “followers” are. What shows their commitment? I wonder if he gets someone to say, “Yeah, I agree”, is that enough to count them? Did they mean it? Or could they have agreed in an attempt to get him to go away?

And what about the name: “Skagit County Citizens for Professional Transportation Management”? It is elegant. What does it mean? Nothing! No one will think of the Guemes Ferry. The name is just meaningless smoke and mirrors! With no web site or other public presence. there is no way for the average person to find out. “Friends of Guemes Island” is another title that doesn’t define their purpose. But they have a web site, appear on LineTime, and are very accessible. They are not hiding in the tall grass.

Mr. Wehrly certainly has the right to his opinions but when he claims to speak for hundreds of others, he should provide solid evidence. A reply in LineTime would be one way to start. If he continues to hide, I will continue to believe that he is, to use a Texas term, nothing but a big hat and no cattle!!!

How about it, Mr. Wehrly? If you are honest and your group is real, it will be easy to prove me wrong. Do you have anything better than conversational agreements and can you document the numbers you are so fond of throwing around?

[5.29.7]

Ian Woofenden

1. How to improve responsiveness: Ask and listen.

Before changing schedules, rates, procedures, or making haul-out schedules, ask all organizations for input. For haul-outs, ask major businesses such as the store, resort, major contractors, and give plenty of notice.

Hire a manager who is a people person, a listener, and a consensus builder.

Build a team so that ferry workers can give good information to users. Find out why there is resentment from ferry users and crew about management. Don’t blame anyone else – take responsibility for the abysmal management, and make the changes necessary to have a ferry that the constituents love. There will always be politics, but look back 30 years and there was a great fondness from islanders for the ferry and crew. Examine yourselves to find out how to get back to that. It is not inconceivable to return to a time when the ferry crew knew most of the islanders, were happy to have them owe a punch, and were service oriented.

Drop bossy employees like hot potatoes. Give raises to employees who bend over backwards to be gracious and serve those who pay their salaries (us).

2. Groups that represent me:

Direct vote of full-time residents is best. I visit many places around the world, but don’t expect to have a great deal of influence when I don’t live in a place full time.

Policy changes affect full-time residents most, so these people should be consulted first and most.

BOCC has shown that it doesn’t represent most of islanders some of the time.

Ferry Committee and Friends of GI represent many of my personal views, but certainly not all.

3: Concerns with ferry operation:

Schedule should be simple, easy to remember, and structured to run full boats most of the time, with overruns on demand, perhaps at a higher fee.

For schedule, convenience of users should have highest priority; convenience of management and crew lowest.

Frequent user tickets should be punch cards that fit in our wallets. Frequent user discounts should be meaningful, not token.

Fares should be based on space – square footage – which will give best rates to walk-ons and bicycles, and charge all based on how much of the ferry space they use.

Fourth crew member should be eliminated! This will increase efficiency and cost effectiveness, and most important – restore confidence in users that management is thinking.

Third crew member could be eliminated too, if we develop a loading procedure that doesn’t baby drivers, who manage to park their cars without direction at almost all other government and private facilities in the county.

Late weekday runs are against the will of the majority and should be rescinded, if for no other reason than to rebuild faith in representative government.

My personal preference is fewer auto-ferry runs – I’d be happy with a few a day.

Consider the cost of owning a passenger boat, which would mean no more large checks to charter companies, immediate back-up service, and availability for overloads. If half the current runs were with a passenger boat, it would dramatically reduce wear and tear on the car ferry, extending its life.

Remove fences and gates – we are not cattle or infants – which make it inconvenient to get on the boat with carried loads, and impede the flow of passengers. People walk next to traffic on a regular basis on city streets, grocery store parking lots, etc.

Reconfigure ferry to be convenient for people and bicycles, and prioritize loading and unloading for them, not vehicles.

4: Extended runs:

See above – if we must have a government-run ferry, it should reflect the majority’s will.

ALL runs should pay for themselves, so do the math and charge for late runs so that they cover their costs. Then you would find out who really wants them, and who just wants others to pay for their convenience. This in itself would likely end the experiment.

5: Creative solutions:

See above – passenger boat on some runs, maybe even late runs, if people will pay.

Install public docks on both sides and remove all bureaucratic hurdles from private citizens providing passage for free or fare. By holding the docks for county ferry use only, you are supporting a monopoly on transportation to the island, and monopolies are rarely the most efficient, egalitarian, or cost-effective way to go.

See above – price late runs so that other runs and county taxpayers are not subsidizing them. I suspect that the market would then show clearly that the runs aren’t viable.

[5.31.7]

Dietrich and Anne Brunner

1. First and foremost, inquire before acting when considering changes that affect Islanders.

2. The inclusion of the BOCC on this list hardly seems appropriate, given its past behavior. Other groups at least make clear their objectives and positions, and solicit input and support from Islanders, attributes that allow them to represent us effectively. We are most familiar with, and support, the elected Ferry Committee and the Friends of Guemes.

3. We do not want to have significnt changes to the long-standing ferry schedule, like the current trial schedule, that would accelerate development pressures and turn us into a suburb of Anacortes.

4. We desire a ferry schedule that permits maximum flexibility within the normal, long-standing operating hours (weekdays and Friday through Sunday, respectively), to accommodate demand. We do not believe that the 45-minute intervals in the present schedule permit that flexibility. When there are scheduled one-hour intervals, at least an additional run can be made when overloads are present.

5. If schedule needs exist, and are known well beforehand, for things such as special school events that involve a considerable number of individuals, there should be a clearly-defined way to arrange, schedule, and publicize "special runs" on weekday evenings, on a limited basis.

[5.21.7]

Tim Wittman

The recent survey submitted by Skagit County Board of Commissioners "Guemes Island Outreach Survey" is a step in the right direction!

Please complete the survey in a timely fashion and let your voices be heard. There has been a refreshing trend toward cooperation and dialogue, at least since the last election. Let's hope that we have finally reached an end to the bickering! Let's keep the ball rolling, working together with county officials to protect the integrity of "Mother Guemes" and plan positively for the future.

[5.21.7]

Winston Anderson

A misinterpretation of figures supplied to The Evening Star resulted in an erroneous conclusion in an editor's note at the end of a letter on page 2 of the February issue. The Star regrets the error. The following is a correction supplied by Carl Cady, statistician for the Guemes Island Ferry Committee:

Win,

After reading The Star I thought the vehicle ridership reported on page 2 for Extended Service 7-10PM looked low. The 187 car for July- December is actually the total of the hourly average for 6 months.

This would have to be multiplied by 4 hours per day and 4 days per week to get a total of 2992 vehicles for this period.

Sorry about the confusion, if I miss led you with data.

Carl

It was also reported in The Star that the County Auditor's office estimates the late service will add approximately $100,000 to the annual operating shortfall. That was reported to the Ferry Committee in the January Roundtable meeting. It should be noted that all statistics and projections are subject to interpretation and
correction.

[2.4.7]

Tim Wittman

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

I just want to say Thank You to the Crew of the ferry Guemes who worked diligently, yet with safety in mind, to help us get home from the brutal windstorm the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan 9, 2007. Sometimes in the tension of transportation issues we forget what a blessing we have in the terrific men and women who work on the boat, day in and day out. Thank you for this service, and for the excellent crews who keep us safe and provide excellent transportation service, each and every day.

[1.9.7]

Paul Beaudet

In response to Penny Powell’s question: The Community Center election process is set in the organizational bylaws as a vote of members present at the annual meeting. Since that meeting has already occurred, the election results have to be honored. The only way to change the process is to change the bylaws, but that would only affect future elections.

As for the annual meeting, we sent two reminders by email to a list of nearly 90 islanders who signed up for email alerts, a notice was posted at the chalkboard at the ferry landing, and a sign was posted at the Community Center on Thursday announcing that the Hall had power and the meeting was on. We had 118 people show up, a standing-room-only crowd, and nearly the same as last year’s record attendance of 124. Prior to that, we were lucky to get two dozen people to attend election meetings, so this year’s attendance was very high.

When a vote was conducted last year to change the bylaws and allow a vote-by-mail process, it narrowly failed to secure the 2/3 supermajority of members present at that meeting. I would encourage those people who are upset that they missed this vote to work with the newly elected council to change the bylaws in 2007. A vote by mail will assure that storms, travel, illness, or other circumstances will not keep anyone who wants a say from participating in the future.

[11.21.6]

Penny Powell

Am I the only islander that could not attend the recent voting of Comm. Council elections due to the power outage? I am saddened that the half of the island that was without power may have been ignored. I, along with many, would like to have been there. Shouldn't we vote again?

[11.20.6]

Win Anderson

The article in question contains no errors except an inadvertent error of omission. I should have probed further in my interview with the county. The result was an incomplete and misleading story and that, I regret to say, is sloppy journalism. My apologies to the Pelletts and the readers of The Star.

[11.4.6]

Howard & Carol Pellett

The article on page 2 titled "November Hearing to Vacate Right of Way" contains a statement which could mislead the reader of the November 2006 edition of The Evening Star. The article states that "North Beach residents Howard and Carol Pellett have petitioned the county to vacate a 5,000 sq. ft. parcel adjoining unimproved property that they own".

Those readers not familiar with the vacation process might be led to conclude that Carol and I will personally gain a parcel of 5,000 square feet. In fact, if vacated, the parcel is split equally with adjoining land owners.

Accordingly, Carol and I would add 1/2 or 2,500 square feet to our property and the other 1/2 or 2,500 square feet would be added to the Schneider (Brigham) family's property.

It's regrettable that the article did not clearly explain the vacation process.

[11.1.6]

Matt Ashman

Hi there. My name is Matt Ashman, and I'm a newcomer. I visted Guemes this summer in my search for the "perfect" property and I fell in love with the laid-back atmosphere and scenic beauty of the island.

I love the way people wave when you pass on the road, and the unhurried attitude of Guemes drivers. I recently purchased a small lot on Hideaway Ln. and I'm really looking forward to building a small home for me and my family to enjoy.

I've been visiting the LineTime.org website regularly to learn more about the community, and I'm shocked and surprised at the animosity and hatred I have witnessed in some of the written comments posted here. I understand that the extended ferry hours are a major point of contention. As I understand it, the major fear is that later weeknight ferry runs will lead to Guemes becoming more of a bedroom community accessible to "outsiders" who commute from the island to jobs on the mainland. This in turn would lead to a change in the density and character of development on the island.

This debate has special meaning to me. While I personally embrace the values and lifestyle that the residents of Guemes wish to preserve, as a younger person very active in music and other events on the mainland the prospect of being able to participate in evening life is very appealing! Therefore I am part of the "problem" as defined by many who have posted their comments here. I am sure that there are many
residents of Guemes Island who feel this way, and their voice deserves to be represented as well.

Where's the spirit of compromise? Has anyone discussed a "minor" extension of the ferry hours, for example until 8:00pm? It seems to me that the ferry serves the interests of EVERYONE in the community.

I am a newcomer, but I'm not building a million dollar house, I'm not overusing island water, and I'm not speeding down Guemes roads. I just want to participate and contribute postively to the Guemes community, and extended ferry hours will help to make that possible for me.

[9.20.6]

Frank Mudge & Deanna Wagner

Hurray for Friends of Guemes Island. They are also friends of all Skagit County when they oppose this costly boondogle. The extended schedule is contrary to both good sense and to the will of the people.

We support common sense, good management, and the common will by opposing the extended hours of ferry operation.

[8.21.6]

Al Millikan

Commissioner Munks,

I just heard your weekly broadcast over the Anacortes radion station, KLKI. You were discussing the upcoming budget process and how it would be necessary to prioritize, county spending, cut funding and cut employees. Wow-you almost sound like a fiscal conservative!

As a resident of Guemes Island I was absolutely astounded!!!!. Is this the same Don Munks that spent $300,000 of Skagit County funds on a Ferry survey, the results and recommendations which were summarily dismissed by you?? Is this the same commissioner who advocated and implemented an extended ferry schedule (against the will of the majority of users) which will increase the operating deficit?? Is this the same Don Munks who approved the hiring of additional staff to operate the ferry( including an unnecessary forth crew member), and recently upgraded the ferry manager to a full time position?

What happened to your fiscal responsibility---or was the radio program just an insincere pitch to please your constituents?? I believe the latter.

The citizens of Guemes Island know the real Don Munks---and he is surely not spending our tax money wisely.

[7.14.6]

Camelia A. Chatfield

I moved to Guemes Island for very specific reasons--rural qualities, including no noise, or light pollution and lack of speeding vehicles were right up there as incentives.

Now, thanks to two County Commissioners, Munks and Anderson, the lifestyle I have come to treasure is needlessly threatened. Despite county funded studies and Island ferry committee polling, results have been tossed aside by these commissioners. Where has responsible government, responsive to its constituents gone?

It is time for those of us who oppose extended ferry hours to stand up and be counted. Boycott late ferries! Let's show the taxpayers of Skagit County how irresponsible and costly this arbitrary scheduling really is.

The Island already has an escalating problem with cars speeding to and from the ferry. Since I live and work on the Island, I have been able to observe people speeding (way beyond posted speeds of 25 and 35 mph) on Holiday Blvd., South Shore Rd., Guemes Island Rd., West Shore Road and West Shore Drive. It baffles me why people move to Guemes Island and then disrespect posted speed limits AND demand the Island change to suit them. Why move here at all?

While I was peacefully protesting extended ferry hours on 7/6, a woman (you know who you are!) yelled at me to "GET A LIFE!" Well, thank you, very much, I have a wonderful life here on Guemes. If you don't, perhaps you should leave.

Please boycott late ferries to help preserve the unique lifestyle we have enjoyed on Guemes Island.

[7.8.6]

Shanna Flower

I am saddened to see this island stooping to vandalism and defacing public property. I am not opposed to the late ferries. I dont agree with them going until 10pm I think 8pm is perfect. I am upset because the people are ripping apart the islanders who want the ferry. those who want the late boat have not made a big fuss over it. they have sat back and watched. But when those opposed to the late ferry lash out they lash out at people who want the ferry. I have been attacked verbally by people a lot in my lifetime and it feels like they are attacking me and my family. I also fear that the county is going to get fed up with this battle or sabatoge and they are going to take the ferry away. This will hurt families like mine. families who cant afford to charter or buy a boat to get back and forth to town. I urge people to not fight this with vandalism and sabatoge. Think of other ways to deal with this. There is a word called Comprimise. It makes all people happy. Lets try and keep this island out of a war and keep it from seperating into groups that hate each other. It is so sad to see this happening what happened to the community I met when I moved here over five years ago?

[7.8.6]

Jocelyn Palmer-Perry

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

I was very disappointed to see the elimination of the 6:00 run in the new Guemes Island Ferry schedule. As an islander, my life, including work schedules and child care are organized around that schedule. Due to current obligations, I will only rarely be able to make the 5:45. As a result, I will have to take the 6:30 and get home to my family even later in the evening (not very "family friendly").

Since none of you live on the island, I thought I would share a small bit of the impact of your decisions. Many people are suggesting that you eliminated the 6:00 run on purpose to boost your count for the extended hours. As a fellow county employee, I surely hope that this is not true. Such manipulative behavior would be inconsistent with your roles at public servants.

[7.7.6]

Thea La Cross

'Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate...' Fictional Jedi Master Yoda may have said it, but it is with deepening concern that I see this familiar path taking shape on the very real world of our island.

Voting with your feet by boycotting the extended ferry runs is a positive action; vandalism, threatening or blocking the path of your fellow islanders are actions that will bring the dark forces of hate, anger, and blame into our community.

Fear is the driver here. We are afraid that the island will be changed beyond recognition, damaged beyond repair. Because we love it, and because it is special, the fear is always there, just below the surface. It's been that way for a long time: listen to stories about protests against the ferry when the MV Guemes replaced the old ferry; remember the years of bad blood about the store. Change happens, and we can't guide and direct it with mob mind. We need to value and preserve our community at many levels.

Protest mindfully.

[7.6.6]

Marilee Fosbre

In addition to living in a quiet, beautiful and serene environment the part I cherish most about living on Guemes Island is the sense of community and the connection I feel to others with whom I share this space. It is these relationships, this sense of inclusion in a broader collective that come to mind when I ask myself what makes Guemes so special to me. I do not think that I am alone in having this perspective. Our joy, for many of us living together on this small island, is very much about having relationships rooted in community.

No matter on what side of the issue we stand, our community has been shaken by the issue of extended ferry hours and the divisiveness and polarity that have ensued. As empowering as it may be to feel that I am on the “right” side of the issue and to be in league with others of “right” mind, I realize now that our community is diminished when it excludes others or does not make space for a multiplicity of perspectives. I have come to understand that the sense of community that I treasure on Guemes Island can be damaged just as severely by this emotional rupture in relationships as by the physical destruction of our environment from property development.

Right now, I do not have a lot of answers to how I can contribute to healing this rupture but I do have thoughts about how not to contribute to making it worse. While I support the boycott of the extended ferry runs, I do not wish to demonize those members of my community who choose to use these extended runs. If protesting as people disembark contributes to people feeling isolated or targeted then I do not wish to protest in that manner. I will look for methods that direct my energy toward the dual purpose of targeting the cause of the problem, which I believe to be the County Commissioners, AND to preserving my relationships with other Islanders. I may not be able to stop the destruction to our community that will inevitably occur through development if the schedule extension is not terminated. I can stop the destruction to my sense of community by not participating in actions that deepen our divisions and rigidify the polarity around this issue.

I have every intention of continuing to fight the extension of the ferry schedule, including participating in the boycott and in the end I truly believe that the schedule extension will be stopped. I am looking ahead to that day and trying to be mindful of how my actions today will either preserve or fracture the community that we are left with when the fight is all over.

[7.5.6]

Frank Mudge

The Terrana family letter supporting extended ferry hours reflects some interesting attitudes.They fault the recent advisory election and complain they were left out.

The election was open to all registered voters on the island. If the Terranas are not among the registered voters, isn’t it their choice to be “left out”? They tell us they are “more than just visitors”. Fine. In what way are they more than just visitors? Have they joined and made an active contribution to any island organizations? Done something equivalent? Or do they merely voice opinions from afar? Beyond being vocal, how do they demonstrate a commitment to Guemes Island?

Or do they merely support changes? And then, like the modern day carpetbaggers they seem to be, do they go off and leave the committed islanders to deal with the consequences?

Their letter does not tell us any of this. But it sure sounds like all take and no give back.

[6.20.6]

Ian Woofenden

I am entirely against vandalism, and in fact against any form of violence that is not self defense. But when there are acts of violence -- anywhere on the continuum from petty vandalism to national terrorism -- we have a number of responses at our disposal.

One all too typical response is to focus on the other person's behavior, blame him, her, or them, and beat our chests about the terrible consequences if we can just capture these bad guys. This approach is not only counterproductive, but it ignores the fact that there are not good guys and bad guys in the world, but guys -- all of us -- who have some good in us and some bad in us.

A better approach -- I think -- is for individuals, organizations, and especially governments, to ask some pointed questions about our own behavior, attitudes, policies, and actions. For example:

• Why would someone want to damage government property, such as the ferry dock? Is there a lack of feeling of ownership, responsibility, and connectedness? Do citizens feel that county government is responsive and representative? Do the people feel like government employees are a good value? Are they contributing to the sense of community on the island?

• Why would someone bomb a federal building in Oklahoma City? Was it a random target, and these madmen would have done the same to a Red Cross building, a community center, a church, or an apartment building? Or are there government policies and actions that lead unbalanced people to respond violently, to try to redress grievances that aren't being dealt with? Why is our government a target?

• Why do people want to give up their lives by flying airplanes into prominent buildings in New York and Washington, DC? Is it because the U.S. government is entirely innocent of hurting other people, communities, and cultures? Are these people just insane, and have no good reason to be unhappy? Are they flying planes into buildings in Costa Rica, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and other countries that don't impose their wills on other sovereign nations?

These are hard questions. If someone punches you in the nose, the natural, easy response is to get angry, label and demonize the puncher, and try to mete out punishment. To my mind, a more human response is to question yourself about what you can change to make yourself less of a target -- to try to become more like the Red Cross and less like the organizations (usually governments and businesses) who are generally targeted. We can also go on to try to understand and then help others express their views and feelings in more appropriate ways, but that's secondary, in my opinion. And there is certainly a role for holding people accountable for the damage they've done, though when that is imposed without regard for the humanity of the people involved or the damage they've received from us, I'm not sure it really works.

If your only tool is calling in the troops, chances are you will do that too often, and you'll create a confrontational environment. This is true with two people or two million. I hope the violence at the ferry dock is not related to the recent policy announcements. But whether it was or not, the county government would do well to ask how they can be part of the community, and be an entity that no one would ever dream of damaging, because they've figured out how to build a strong connection with the citizens here, graced with mutual respect instead of confrontation, miscommunication, and disregard.

Peacefully,
Ian Woofenden

[6.18.6]

Terrana Family

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

Just to advise you that in a separate email we have sent our message directly to the commissioners from family members in support of the extended trial times for the Guemes. We own substantial properties on the island since '60's and would call ourselves more that just visitors. We have supported various island projects over the year. Fought for and supported the island store project from the beginning.

We question the validty of the island's survey, especially since we were "left out". It was a survey of convience

[6.16.6]

Paul Beaudet

Of course there are people who want to extend ferry service on Guemes Island. Is that enough to justify Commissioner Don Munks' vote? "I talked to a couple people who walked up to my pickup and said thank you,” he said.

Great! Are they willing to write a check to cover the anticipated $100,000 to $300,000 in additional costs associated with staffing, fuel and maintenance? Or are they happy to stick the tab to Skagit County taxpayers
and the 75% of islanders who oppose extended service?

For Commissioner Munks to come to the island and state that transportation infrastructure and growth aren't connected, as he did last Saturday, is laughably naïve. If you make it easier to get to undeveloped land, growth will come. And to also claim that people don’t build houses for profit? I would be very surprised if Mr. Munks had never met a developer.

The fact is, if you live or own property on this island, you shouldn’t complain about limited access after 6pm on weekdays. It’s been that way for decades. This has slowed the rate of development and protected our rural character.

So who will foot the bill for the additional services the county will need to provide to address growth, especially if our sole-source aquifer can’t meet our water needs? Are Skagit County's taxpayers going to be as grateful as that couple with whom the Commissioner spoke last Saturday? I don't think so.

[6.14.6]

P C Haase

I ran in the 9th Dog Island 10K Sat. June 3! It is t