Editor,

I have known Martha Rose for almost 20 years. I’ve worked with her on the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Whidbey Coalition for several years and know her to be a person of integrity with a deep passion and commitment to Island Transit.

I can also vouch for her husband and two beautiful, adopted children.

I recognize that this is a crisis that should never have happened.

As a user and promoter of mass transit, I know its importance to the community and to our future. Island Transit is a joy, a great asset and a model for others.

I am deeply troubled by this catastrophe.

She is not the only person who missed this snafu. Having served on many boards, I understand that, ultimately, it is the board of directors that should be providing the fiscal oversight.

To miss an accounting error this huge by all these dedicated, responsible people indicates to me that there was some very sly accounting manipulations similar to those used by ENRON and our unregulated banking industry that brought us the 2008 fiscal collapse, which almost resulted in another Great Depression.

Before we throw this service-oriented servant under the bus, we ought to get the big picture. I can imagine how Martha feels. You see, she has three children. Her third is Island Transit.

Gary Piazzon

Coupeville