Whidbey Island: A Nice Place to Visit … A Better Place to Live!”

For over 35 years, the above was our motto when selling real estate on Whidbey Island. Since retiring in 2006, I have become crippled with arthritis and legally blind due to macular degeneration. All I have to say is thank God for Island Transit! They take me where I need to go at no charge, and give me some semblance of independence.

Thank God for Martha Rose! I have never met this lady but I respect her greatly. What a genius! She has built a no-charge bus service for everyone on Whidbey, starting from scratch. She has selected and trained bus drivers, all of whom I have found to be: friendly, courteous, and competent.

Now, having built this amazing bus system, she is asking us for an increase of .03 percent in sales tax. That’s 30 cents of $100 on taxable items. Let’s see, 30 cents would be enough for: One can of soda pop, one package of gum, one candy bar, one-half a cigarettes, four ounces of beer, two ounces of latte, and not quite enough for a first class postage stamp.

If they start charging, dangers include:

1. The bus drivers would be carrying money! Would you like to be a bus driver on a dark cold, rainy, night and have your last passenger be a druggie, with a gun, in need of a “fix?” Shall we arm the bus drivers?

2. Money! Bus drivers handle money, make change, fill out accounting forms. Island Transit has to hire accountants, make out reports, etc. Money is handled by many people, will temptation rear its ugly head when somebody gets “sticky” fingers?

Why mess with a machine that is running smoothly and efficiently?

Ask yourself these questions: Do I know someone who is benefiting from this service? Is it possible that someday I, or someone in my family, may need this service? Would I rather drive some of these people around, for free, or have them take the bus?

Al Toth

Coupeville