Throughout the year, I have been hearing about changing the ferry system that runs from Keystone to Port Townsend. We pay taxes for many studies to determine the best landing and/or new ferries to continue our state highway from our island to the Olympic Peninsula. It is beyond comprehension that after years of study, we face a new crisis of canceling the Keystone run due to aging ferries.

What are we paying taxes for? What would you do if the state closed I-5 due to unsafe road conditions? They would not close it, but only close one lane for repairs.

This is a needed highway and by God we would suffer dearly if the highway was closed indefinitely. Our state officials need to know that closing any highway is not acceptable, especially if it was a lack of insight. I believe there was ample time to inspect and decide which ferries are safe and inform the public of the need to build new ones.

We have been hearing too long about the lack of funding needed due to tax reform and the state has convinced us that some services will suffer due to this. Closing a highway due to safety is one thing, but I cannot believe that all four steel electric ferries are in dire straits at the same time. As is known, this class of ferries is the only one capable of maneuvering the Keystone run. One ferry at the least has to be assigned to and dedicated to this run.

To say other runs are more valuable and must continue without disruption is absurd. What politics do you want to play? We are ready if you are. Please write your congressman now.

Ralph Shelton

Oak Harbor