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To whom it may concern,
posted 06/04/2007
Your editorial concerning low income housing leaves me baffled. I have
been part of the Home Trust from its inception and Larry Soll's
participation has been critical to its success.
The 15 permanently
affordable homes that we have built are a testament to his and many others
hard labor. This is a non-profit, community organization that has fought
for every inch of ground it has gained.
The Home Trust has an opportunity
for a sizable donation that makes the formula of low cost housing an
option.
You should be dancing a jig and/or moon-walking to your mailbox
with a letter of thanks. Let's be appreciative and lend a hand.
Jim Lawrence
Dear Dog owners on San Juan Island,
posted 06/04/2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at approximately 11:00 am, my cows were brutally attacked by a pair of large dogs. We were alerted to the attack by the horrible screaming of a cow, which subsequently plunged into my deep pond after the dogs were chased off of her. This is the second dog attack that these cows have suffered in 8 months - one of my (then three) cows died as a result of wounds received in the first attack.
Again, only one cow seems to have been attacked and she received many bites to the legs, belly and udder, and 8" long gouges from claws on her rump. If no one was home at the time of the attack I imagine that the cow could have been killed.
The dogs likely live in the University Heights, Hillview Terrace, or Eureka neighborhoods, but we all know that loose dogs can easily explore for many miles, so they may live elsewhere. The dogs that have now threatened the life of my second cow are both large (80-100 pounds) - one more-or-less a German shepherd with rounder nose and the other a Border collie-type, maybe part Husky or wolf, mostly black with white chest/ruff.
If you own dogs that match this description, who were loose the morning of Wednesday, May 30, the right thing to do would be to call the Sheriff's office and discuss the problem. While your dogs have most likely gone home to rest, play with you and have dinner, I will spend the next several weeks fretting about an injured animal who may or may not survive its wounds, and worrying that the dogs will come back.
We say that we want to support agriculture in this county. People love to look at farm animals in island pastures. Loose dogs and livestock do not mix. Dog attacks are heartbreaking to those of us who have to witness them.
Claudia Mills
Friday Harbor
Dear Editor,
In your editorial of May 17 "Ferry Allocations Based on Faulty Math" you criticize the increase in the vehicle spaces allocated to Lopez Island during the summer schedule.
Allocations are not based, as you suggest, on an island's population. They are based upon each island's actual reported use of the ferry system. For example, during the summer months, the number of vehicles loaded at Anacortes bound for Friday Harbor has been roughly 2.2 times the number of vehicles bound for Lopez. Yet the population of San Juan Island is closer to 4 times the population of Lopez Island.
The Ferry Advisory Committee develops allocations based upon the traffic statistics compiled by Washington State Ferries and upon an analysis of daily loading statistics compiled by each island's ferry terminal staff. During the summer of 2006, Lopez bound vehicles constituted 18.9% of all vehicles loaded at Anacortes, and Lopez was assigned (eastbound) 18.7% of total available weekday spaces. Superficially Lopez was well served. In fact however it was not. Of Lopez's total weekday allocations of 422 spaces, 152 spaces or 36% of the total were on an 8:25 pm sailing - a time when few travelers want to leave an island. Thus Lopez had a substantial underweighting of spaces during normal demand periods.
This underweighting was confirmed by the chronic overloads reported at the Lopez terminal during the morning hours last summer. Friday Harbor and Orcas also experience overloads, but these overloads were not chronic. If we count only "morning" sailings (i.e. exclude midday sailings such as the 12:05 pm Orcas and 12:35 pm Lopez sailings), Lopez's share of morning ferry capacity was 12.6% during the summer of 2006 or a deficit of 48 vehicle spaces.
The Ferry Advisory Committee operates on the principle of fairness to all islands. Thus both Orcas and Friday Harbor ceded spaces to Lopez in the morning to try better to balance available capacity with demand. We have moved in the right direction, but we may have to move more.
Sincerely,
Robert T. deGavre
To the Editor:
posted 05/15/2007
I would like to correct or clarify several points in your recent
posting, "Ferry Advisory Committee Reallocating Orcas and FH spaces to
Lopez," which was based on my conversation with the County Council
Tuesday morning.
The first is that we are required by the county code to meet monthly.
There is no such requirement. What the code (2.44.070 (9)) says is the
FAC is to "conduct committee meetings on a monthly basis, or as
otherwise necessary to successfully perform assigned duties of the
advisory committee (italics added)." We hold at least four public
meetings a year, more as necessary.
You further state that we haven’t held a public meeting "in months." In
truth, we held three public meetings in February alone, one on each of
the three major ferry-served islands, to discuss the fare proposals and
other ferry matters and another will be held Thursday, May 17, from
2-3:30 p.m. on Lopez. A commentary from the FAC on the upcoming meeting
appeared in the San Juan Journal and the Islands Sounder this week.
These are opportunities for islanders to raise any ferry issue, ask
questions, make suggestions and give the FAC or WSF representatives
what-for if they choose.
You are correct that Kevin Ranker expressed his opposition to our
recommended changes in eastbound vehicle allocations for the summer
schedule. We made the recommendation to try to address day-long
overload problems at Lopez (the result of schedule anomalies that have
concentrated about a third of Lopez’s daily allocation on its 8:25 p.m.
sailing).
Kevin cited his personal experience this winter (where he
said he found the 6 a.m. Friday Harbor sailing often overloaded and the
subsequent Lopez traffic light) as the basis for his opposition. While
we have no reason to doubt his winter experience, it isn’t relevant to
the summer schedule, which has an additional super on the route --
which works to San Juan Island’s benefit -- and very different travel
patterns (due in large part to the heavy visitor traffic).
In making these recommended changes, FAC members from each island
gathered the actual loading statistics for San Juan, Orcas and Lopez
for last summer. That way the committee could see what actually happens
on a daily basis during a comparable schedule period, rather than
relying on anecdotal evidence. (We all have a handful of stories about
being overloaded, or seeing someone else get better treatment, don’t
we?)
The data clearly show Lopez has the greatest prevalence of morning
overloads. From July 5 through August, the 6:40 a.m. Lopez sailing was
overloaded 24% of the time, leaving an average of 15 vehicles; the 8:55
a.m. was overloaded 58% of the time, leaving an average of 18; the 10
a.m. sailing overloaded 60% of the time, leaving 16, and the 12:35 p.m.
was overloaded 62% of the time, leaving an average of 23 vehicles.
The data show neither San Juan nor Orcas has a comparable morning
overload problem.
The approach of this FAC has been to consider a problem for any island
to be a problem for all, and we work collaboratively to try to solve
problems as they are identified. That’s exactly what we have done in
recommending to WSF this summer allocation adjustment. We’ve also gone
on record with the council that we will reexamine this summer’s loading
data in late July and recommend further adjustments as the data
indicates.
While these relatively minor allocation adjustments are worthy of
discussion and explanation, the larger issues remain fares (which the
FAC helped hold to 2.5% this year, and which the Legislature then
locked in place until September, 2009), crucial non-fare financing for
WSF, and making sure the elimination of systemwide fare equity, the
possible advent of peak-travel surcharges, discount cuts and
premium-pay reservations don’t wind up doing us any more damage than
the 100 percent-plus increase in fares over the past seven years.
With that in mind, we encourage all islanders to attend our next public
meeting, Thursday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at the Lopez Community Center.
Alex MacLeod, chair
San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee
Editor's response:
Washington State Ferries held Tariff Proposal meetings Monday February 12 on Lopez, San Juan and Orcas Islands. The scheduled Ferry Advisory Committee meeting scheduled to be held on Orcas Island on Feb. 12 was cancelled by Alex MacLeod. When I called to ask him why the FAC meeting was being cancelled, he said there wouldn't be time to discuss anything else but fares. The last FAC meeting I am aware of is the one held in January which I attended. That qualifies as "months ago".
The rules the FAC operates under are as follows according to the county code (emphasis added):
C. Specifically, the ferry advisory committee shall:
- Participate, on an ongoing basis, with state ferry management in the development, implementation and improvement of service schedules proposed for the San Juans, including the Sidney, B.C. run, vessel assignments, tariff change proposals, facilities management and economic impact studies.
- Review, conduct public hearings and approve or modify all seasonal schedule programs as proposed by the state ferry system. Such reviews and hearings are to occur at least 60 days prior to intended schedule implementation and are to carefully consider equitability of service within the County, adequacy of vessels proposed for service, economic, social and environmental impact of the applicable proposal, and costs and limitations connected with the schedule and/or desired change.
Following review and/or modification, recommendation is to be made to the board of County commissioners, for forwarding to ferry management, outlining County recommendations of schedule implementation.
- Monitor traffic statistics, system financial status and local ongoing traffic problems in an effort to promote optimum efficiency of service relative to demand and availability, manpower and economic conditions.
- Assist terminal agents in seeking prompt resolution of problems experienced with respect to overload situations, extensive waiting periods, traveler problems and vessel delays.
- Participate directly with community agencies, chambers of commerce, other business and social groups and concerned local activities relative to service needs, problems and economic impact of service and rate alterations.
- Provide representation at all general hearings of the State Transportation Commission when such hearings affect the San Juan service area. Ensure that the County is represented in public testimonies, depositions and other actions involving ferry matters, especially rate and schedule changes.
- Provide representation to the San Juan County long-range transportation planning committee, with direct responsibility for ferry-related planning input.
- Maintain necessary communication with other system-wide ferry user groups, advisory committees, legislative representatives and transportation commission members relative to problems and needs affecting the San Juan service area.
- Conduct committee meetings on a monthly basis, or as otherwise necessary to successfully perform assigned duties of the advisory committee. Meetings are to be called by the chairman and, to the maximum extent possible, will be rotated between the ferry-served islands. Such meetings will be well advertised in advance, with the public encouraged to attend. Public participation in general comments and discussions will be encouraged and included in each agenda.
- Ensure fair and nonpartial consideration of County residents’ welfare in all ferry-related matters, specifically in the areas of rate structure, service quality, economic hardships/requirements, terminal facility management and levels of service.
- Promote positive and mindful liaison with the state ferry system in the resolution of problems confronting the San Juan service area, to include a) providing necessary assistance in the conduct of public hearings/meetings, b) participation in joint "fact finding" missions and discussions with the board of County commissioners and ferry management and c) reporting and follow-up of individual rider-oriented complaints and requests for assistance and service improvements. (Res. 33-1985)
Dear Editor,
posted 04/24/2007
It's great to see the construction of a new gangplank for the fishing dock
at Egg Lake. Unfortunately, few fish may be caught from it this spring.
Why is that? After all Egg Lake gets stocked with about 1000 catchable
sized rainbow trout every spring.
For the past three years a flock of about
20 cormorants, top-of-the-food chain marine predators, have targeted the
stocked trout of Egg Lake. This flock hangs out in a tree bordering
Sportsmans Lake all winter, waiting for the hatchery truck.
In years past,
the truck has done its job about the last week of March. By the first week
of April, all the catchable trout have been eaten by the cormorants, and
hardly a soul has had a chance to fish for them. For the past three years
virtually no trout have been caught from Egg Lake.
Letter writing to the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife has resulted in
a delayed stocking this year in hopes the cormorants would have moved on
before the fish were put in the lake. Stocking is scheduled for THIS WEEK
(April 20-26) and sadly, the birds are still here. I strongly suggest to
anyone interested in catching a few local trout this year: Hit the lake
THIS WEEK. The more fisher people are on the lake, the more the birds will
be spooked and the better the chance for some of the trout acclimating and
getting deep in the bottom weeds and away from the cormorants. Enjoy
fishing this week and next, for most likely, the fish will be gone, and of
course so will the cormorants...after they are done.
Cormorant predation has become a huge problem all over America. They were
nearly wiped out by the 1970s due to shooting and DDT's effect on their
eggs. Populations of cormorants are now exploding, with growth as high as
27% annually in some parts of the country, and having a severe effect on
fish populations.
The Feds are starting to allow individual states to
institute control programs, but it is generally illegal to "control" ie:
shoot them or oil their eggs. Best suggestion from Dept of F&W: get
fishing shortly after the stocking truck leaves, and get'em before the
cormorants do.
Paul Ahart
Friday Harbor
Dear Editor,
posted 03/19/2007
On behalf of mothers everywhere, I would like to thank Matt Pranger
for the loving tribute to his mother (My Mom, An Irish Angel with a
Heart of Gold). I read it, choked up a little bit, cried a good cry,
and called my mom to let her know how much I love her.
I think
I'll print out a copy and leave it around the house for my sons to
read, though I don't think I'm half the mom of your mother or my
own. Your remembrances make me want to be a better person, care a
little more for those around me. Thank you.
Amy Wynn
Dear Editor,
posted 03/09/2007
I have never written a letter to the editor in my 37 years of living in this wonderful community, and yet I was taken back by the offer of 'aid' for the November 26th snow storm by Gov. Gregoire posted on your site. Four days of snow during our county's slowest economical time of the year, and an offer of aid is made to the businesses?
Am I the only one confused by this? I apologize in advance for my ignorance and insensitivity to those businesses that truly suffered enough to need state aid for the November 26th snow storm.
Debbie Sandwith
Followup letter from Susan Herrera
Dear Editor,
posted 02/15/2007
Thank you for hearing my "gripes" concerning the proposed ferry schedule. I
was fortunate yesterday in that when I got on the boat to go home in the
afternoon, the members of the Ferry Advisory Committee were also boarding
the boat to return to Lopez.
I introduced myself to them, we had excellent
dialogue and I was assured that the proposed schedule that I saw was a
working document and by no means a finished product. It has since been
revised many times and they are willing to continue to revise until they
come up with a proposal that works for as many of us as possible. What I
came away with after our conversation is that these folks are indeed our
advocates.
They are working very hard and putting a lot of hours toward
making what we have work and making it as economically feasible as they
possibly can. There is no way that they are going to please everyone.
We
all are going to have to compromise. These guys are open to dialogue. They
care and they listen to our concerns and they do take them into
consideration. It is a difficult task to come up with a solution - how to
make the same number of boats work efficiently and economically and still
serve our needs.
My thanks to John Whetten and Jim Smith for their willingness to listen to us
after a full day of Tariff meetings.
Susan Herrera
Dear Editor,
posted 02/12/2007
I just read the response by Alex MacLeod. I am not meaning to be
contentious but as a San Juan County employee, I've been commuting from
Lopez to Friday Harbor for over 13 years and I've never met the Lopez Ferry
Advisory Committee members.
He stated that they seek riders out to get
their opinions and ideas yet only one of my fellow commuters has mentioned
knowing one of the members of the committee and actually has had dialogue
with them. Though it wasn't about ferry issues.
Over the years I have
called, written letters, sent emails and attended meetings that wasted much
of my time. The only positive change that I have seen in the Lopez/Friday
Harbor commute was when Rhea Miller went to bat for us and got a direct
Friday Harbor to Lopez sailing at the end of our work day. She is the only
one who has ever really advocated for the working commuters and students who
are on that route five days a week.
The proposed summer schedule eliminates all direct sailings between Lopez
and Friday Harbor. The only morning boat picks up at 6:15, makes all island
stops and gets us to Friday Harbor at the same time we are getting here now
but adds an hour to our morning commute. The only afternoon option leaves
Friday Harbor at 5:20, makes all stops and gets us home at 7:00 p.m.
Another additional hour to our commute. That's a 13 hour day not counting
driving time to/from the ferry dock. Should I even mention the fact that it
will add breakfast and dinner expenses, and eliminate family time?
I should think with all of those committee members and with at least two of
them being Lopez advocates (are you really OUR advocates?) we should be able
to arrive at some sort of schedule that doesn't make it so difficult for
Lopezians to earn a living, go to school and raise a family in the islands.
I, along with my fellow commuters, welcome dialogue with you. We all
appreciate the enormous task you undertake and we understand, as you stated,
that solving one problem creates another. We also understand that you are
limited in power. WSF has the final say.
We have had their opinion flatly
stated to us by their representative Susan Harris Heuther "I'm tired of
hearing the islanders whining - you choose to live here." We know what we
are up against. But the proposed schedule for the summer will have a
tremendous impact on many of us so we cannot sit silent and as Howard
Shonberger says, "go with the flow..."
Susan Herrera
Lopez Island
Dear Editor,
posted 1/6/2007
What intrigued me most about the report on the ferry costs wasn't so
much the costs to run the ferry, but the comparison between the
ferries and other forms of public transportation.
If I read the
article correctly, the ferry system currently recovers approximately
75% of it's costs, while public transportation only recovers 35%.
35%???? Are you kidding me?
And I bet if you ask why they don't
raise the costs of fares on buses, etc., you'd be told that it would
drive ridership down. DUH.
And yet they expect the ferry system to
be 100% self-sustaining? Let's apply the same standards to all
public transportation and see how well the other systems can handle
having to bear their own burden.
John Boyd
Friday Harbor
Dear Editor,
posted 1/5/2007
Regarding the article which seems to place the financial problems at WSF on the shoulders of its employees. It is important to keep in mind that within the US Merchant Marine as a whole, WSF deck department employees are among the lowest paid professional Mariners in the United States. An AB (senior deckhand) sailing offshore makes as much per year as a WSF Captain. A supply boat Captain in the Gulf of Mexico makes around $165,000 per year, supervising a crew of 6-20, while a WSF Captain earns in the neighborhood of $76,000 per year, supervising a crew of 6-12 plus caring for up to 2500 passengers and 100+ cars. The amount of training and expertise required of even the lowest ranking crewmember has increased exponentially over the last 15 years or so, and in real dollars the employees earn less today than they did 15 years ago.
To claim one million dollars in lost revenue because of employee passes is misleading. The travel pass is a benefit of employment, and as such should be accounted for as a labor cost. Hourly wages don't translate to a loss in revenue, and neither should the use of a travel pass by an employee.
The legislature needs to step up and subsidize the ferries operating costs just as all other transportation systems here are subsidized. It makes no sense at all to expect the ferries to recover 100% of operating costs at the fare box.
Capt. Doug Pine, USMM
Former WSF employee
Vashon Island, WA
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