Others have written more eloquently regarding the Save Our System vote on Aug. 18 (see Eileen Brown).

I want to address more pragmatic issues. Where do we spend our hard earned money? We spend in on food, rent or mortgage, utilities, gas for the family’s cars, insurances, medical and dental bills, hair cuts and other personal services, income tax, and Social Security tax. None of which are affected by state sales tax.

Most of us are only paying sales tax on clothing and eating out. The average family of four, earning $60,000 per year, might find an increase in the sales tax they pay to be $36 a year, or $3 a month, less than one Happy Meal, if they have $1,000 each and every month to spend on clothes and eating out and other taxable items. That family might be able to save more than $3 a month by taking the free bus rather than putting gas in the family’s cars.

We need to continue to support this community service for our youth, elders, those without cars, the unemployed, as well as those needing medical transportation. The haves need to support the have-nots.

Some businesses are asking you to vote against this much needed public service. Businesses are in business because of the support of the community and businesses need to return that support back to the community. Perhaps someone might take the bus to shop at their store.

Island Transit provides a strong social network. People engage in conversation with other riders and make life-long friendships for additional mutual support.

On our street, we observe more students using Island Transit to go to school than use the school buses.

Island Transit keeps more cars off the road. One bus is the equivalent of 35 cars. Multiply that times the number of buses on the Island each day and it is clear that Island County continues to be a clean air environment in which to live. One visit off island is a very strong reminder of our wonderful place which we are blessed to call home.

Sue Tingstad

Coupeville