Bridging the Gap by Cindy Kamp
The recent public hearing on October 21, 2025, and the subsequent work session on October 28 offered a stark contrast in tone and commitment from Skagit County leadership. One felt like an open door to collaboration; the other, a locked boardroom where islanders' voices echoed faintly, if at all. This disconnect isn't just procedural—it's a missed opportunity for real partnership in solving a shared crisis.
Let's start with the public hearing. Held in the spirit of transparency, it drew dozens of Guemes residents, both in person and via Zoom, to voice their frustrations over skyrocketing fares, the glitchy e-ticketing system, and the broader sustainability of our lifeline to the mainland. Speakers proposed solutions. Calls for audits, resident discounts, and even volunteer advisory committees rang out, all underpinned by a unifying theme: a genuine desire to work with the county, not against it. Commissioners Lisa Janicki, Peter Browning, and Ron Wesen listened attentively, thanking attendees for their time and input. Browning emphasized, "We don't want to fight, you don't want to fight. We just got to work together." Janicki acknowledged specific requests, like clarifying capital versus operating costs, and hinted at future discussions. The tone was appreciative, collaborative—even hopeful. It felt like the county was finally hearing the ridership.
You heard it, I heard it—even the Anacortes American heard it and wrote an article about it —islanders want to work with Skagit County. (See link below). Residents highlighted their expertise—accountants, engineers, former business owners—offering to form groups to tackle issues like budgeting irregularities or fare formulas. There was even the suggestion of an accounting-focused advisory committee at no cost to the county. The message was clear: Let's partner to make this sustainable for everyone.
Fast forward a week to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) October 28 work session, and the commitment evaporated. Public Works Director Michael See and Ferry Manager Rachel Rowe dominated, dissecting costs like dry docks and staffing, even admitting part of the dry dock expenditure was in fact capital. Commissioners dove further into the weeds: Janicki questioned capital allocations and declared the ferry unaffordable long-term; Browning compared our situation unfavorably to Lake Cavanaugh road issues (who have to drive a longer distance around the lake due to road collapse); Wesen repeatedly invoked the "pie" analogy implying the costs were to great no matter how the pie was sliced. Collaboration? Barely a footnote. See mentioned scheduling the mandatory annual public meeting required by the 2023 resolution, but it came across as a checkbox item, not a genuine outreach effort. He asked for commissioner input on format, but there was no enthusiasm for deeper engagement. Janicki referenced the Technical Advisory Group briefly, but only in passing, deferring to future leaders. The session ended with concurrence to stickwith the proposed 30% fare hike, no backward steps on discounts or other public suggestions. What was also loudly omitted was public acknowledgment of the loss of over $1.2 million dollars in federal FBP funds and assurances this would not happen again.
The tone here was inward-facing, skeptical, and deficit-driven—a $20 million county shortfall loomed large, overshadowing islanders' offers of help. Where the hearing buzzed with public energy, the work session felt like an echo chamber of "can we afford this?" without exploring "how can we afford this together?" That mandatory meeting mention from See was the only nod to ongoing dialogue, and even that felt obligatory rather than inspired.
Here were islanders top concerns: Unaffordable fares driving down ridership, opaque budgeting (like missed $1.2 million in federal funds), the ineffective e-ticketing system, effects of high fares and e-ticketing on seniors, lack of engagement with ferry committee, and the effective elimination of meaningful multi-ride discounts despite KPFF's recommendations. Here are their top concerns: Rising operational costs, aging infrastructure, and equity for the broader county amid budget shortfalls. Let’s meet and discuss. A real advisory committee, joint workshops, or even that December meeting could be the start—if the county shows up with the same commitment they professed in public. The Guemes ferry is part of the transportation infrastructure of not just Skagit County, but the State of Washington and the United States of America. That is why the Federal Government helps fund it, the State of Washington helps fund it, and Skagit County should continue to fund it as they do all of the bridges and roads in Skagit County.