Editor,

Island Transit has had one major fiscal problem that is now on the mend, but the solution to the current non-existent problem is to start charging a fare so that riders will have, “some skin in the game.”

For decades IT has provided fare-free, reliable service around Island County. Of course, we pay for this service through a voter-approved special assessment whether we use it or not. In addition, we also pay extra for the library, fire protection, schools, parks, cemetery, roads and the hospital.

Now some members of the IT board think riders should have, “skin in the game.”

With that logic, imagine someone checking out a book at the library.

“Do you have a library card? And 25 cents?”

“25 cents?”

“Yes, we have decided that in order to checkout a book you need to have ‘skin in the game.’”

Or how about: “911 what is your emergency?”

“My house is on fire.”

“Do you have a current account with the fire district? We also take credit cards.”

“What! My house is burning. I pay taxes.”

“Well, it has been decided that in order to actually use the fire service you need to have some ‘skin in the game.’”

Or “Hello dispatcher. Please send the county sheriff, there is a break-in at my home.”

“Will that be Visa or MasterCard?”

My final question to the Island Transit Board is, “What’s in your wallet?”

Because you will need skin in the game to actually use any services.

Kurt Jaehning

Oak Harbor