On Sunday, February 22, 188 Guemes citizens gathered in the Community Center for the annual Ferry Committee election meeting.

Glen Veal, chairman of the Ferry Committee, began by discussing the growing participation of the Committee (and through them, the citizens of Guemes) in County ferry policy and operations. With this participation comes growing appreciation of that involvement by Skagit County Public Works and the County Commissioners.

The County has made it clear that an equitable method of electing Ferry Committee members is needed, one that does not require attendance at a public meeting.

Glen read a letter from Commissioner Don Munks, supporting "a process that includes a notification of candidates and a ballot that is sent to all the registered voters in the Guemes Island Precinct."

Amendments to the Ferry Committee Charter were proposed and discussed. Concerns for those property owners not registered to vote on Guemes were raised. Glen pointed out that everyone is free to communicate to any member of the Committee at any time. As with any other election, we may only vote in the one precinct and voters are free to change their registration. He mentioned that he owns business property in Anacortes and may speak with officials there but cannot vote on matters specific to Anacortes while registered in the Guemes precinct

Amending the charter requires the approval of four of five of the Ferry Committee members and two-thirds of those who attend the meeting. All five Committee members endorsed the charter. Of the 188 folks signed in, 160 voted to approve the amendments. 10 voted no.

Since the charter has been amended, the election everyone came for was set for April 15 and will be conducted by mail-in ballot which will be counted by volunteers trained in election processes. Only one position, Glen Veal's, is open. Each year one position opens (more if someone steps down) and the annual election date returns to March 15.

Nominations were accepted from the floor. The candidates nominated were:

Each candidate gave a brief statement and Max Benjamin withdrew his name. LineTime will post interviews with and comments from each candidate in advance of the election.

Glen Veal then spoke to those wanting to extend the ferry's hours of operation on week nights. He reminded everyone that many opportunities for the public to comment were present during the Task Force proceedings and no interest in extending the schedule was expressed until after the process had reached its conclusion. The issue had been considered by the Task Force and the decision made to maintain the current hours of operation. This decision has now been formally adopted by the County Commissioners.

He pointed out that the Commissioners have directed the proponents of extended service to work with their representatives, the Ferry Committee, and within a public process.

Susan Ferrell brought the meeting to a close with an statement appreciating that all citizens of Guemes have chosen Guemes for the same heartfelt reasons but differ in their visions of the future. She encouraged everyone to respect one another and that difference of opinion.

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Documents provided by the Guemes Island Ferry Committee.