Reason seems to have escaped some advocating the “Support our System” group. I have to admit that I am a citizen who opposes the current tax increase that is on the ballot this August. However, that does not mean that I am against public transit in Island County.

In fact I am a supporter of mass transit at all levels, but like with most issues you cannot solve all problems by throwing money at it. In the past year we have seen government agencies at all levels affected by budget cuts. For the most part there has been great creative thinking among some agencies as to how to minimize these cuts (unpaid furlough days for employees, reducing service that has limited impact, etc), yet that is not the impression I get from Island Transit nor its supporters. The impression I get from them is that they have done all they can and without more money their service is in jeopardy.

They dismiss creative suggestions as unworkable, such as asking for a small fare to ride the public transportation. I understand that when Island Transit was created their goal was to not charge a fare, but times have changed and so should the thinking of the board and director of the Island Transit. But what seems to anger me the most is not just their opposition to creative ideas, it is their vicious approach. It seems that Mr. Trusler (who is a transit employee and member of S.O.S.), while speaking as a private citizen, tried to intimidate a group of local businesses when they voiced their opposition. If I were in Ms. Johnson’s position I would have probably not has been as cool during their conversation. To try and shame and scare people into voting for something that has legitimate criticism seems to be beneath an organization that supports any public good. It seems this group has the “you’re either with us or against us” mentality; and had the Chamber of Commerce supported their position they would have no doubt flowered them with praise, instead of threatening legal action.

I will be voting no on this ballot measure and encourage others to ask themselves if Island Transit should look at their own options first before coming to us and threatening … excuse me, asking for money.

Christian Brown

Oak Harbor