Editor,

Martha Rose must be terminated. She is ultimately responsible for Island Transit’s financial crisis and the resulting reductions in bus services.

Service reductions should not affect paratransit users.

Island Transit receives state and federal transportation funds to cover the costs of community access via paratransit services for our elderly and disabled citizens. Those transportation services are directed and funded, by law.

To reduce these services will only compound Island Transit’s financial problems.

Paratransit existed years before Island Transit was formed; Island County Senior Services managed federal and state funds for the county’s transportation services for seniors and other paratransit-qualified riders.

Island Transit assumed this responsibility from the county. It was their first order of priority for services, and we need to assure paratransit riders that it will remain so.

Gerry Yakovleff

Oak Harbor