In a recent issue of the Whidbey News-Times we see the Conservation District wants a new property tax, Island County is increasing the cost of building permits, the Health Department is adding a new fee (tax) on top of the most recently established fee for septic tank inspections, AND we are being asked to pay more sales tax to support Island Transit’s ever-increasing need for money to provide free transportation. It seems government agencies all agree on one thing — they need more money!
In our declining economy, we see unemployment increasing, retirement funds struggling and good jobs hard to find. Many of us have had to make adjustments in our lifestyle and curtail expenses. Now is not the time to increase the cost of government services. I admit to not being one who utilizes Island Transit, so my knowledge is limited. But I am not surprised, as apparently Martha Rose is, that people will demand more service when it is free —- to them.
It is troubling to me to be in either Skagit or Snohomish county and see Island Transit buses and vans carry a few people — to where? Apparently some of them are shopping off island and avoiding the sales tax here that Island Transit seeks to increase. And nowhere have I seen an actual “ridership” percentage — or what percent of actual seats per mile are utilized. Too often we see buses and vans either empty or with a couple riders. We hear actual passengers carried and cost per mile (which is excessive), but what percent of seats are actually filled?
The rallying cry by transit supporters is SOS — save our system. While there are perhaps many who would like to eliminate the system and the tax burden it imposes on all of us, that is not the question. When income declines, prudent management should cut expenses, curtail services that are not essential and heavily used, and — God forbid — begin charging something for service rendered. In more rational times, public transportation has always charged for service. If not for profit, it at least injects a discipline into the system that is lacking in free service.
Given what is happening in our nation, now is not the time to increase taxes — of any kind!
Barney Beeksma
Oak Harbor
