Since September, when the stock market crashed and major financial institutions faltered, the country has been in an economic tailspin. Islanders, it appears, are also struggling.
Voter turnout was strong on Vashon on Tuesday, according to poll workers at Ober Park, where people were waiting to come in when the doors opened at 7 a.m. and small crowds and in some cases lines persisted throughout the day.
The change makes the site a mile south of town, once zoned industrial, both a commercial and industrial area.
Following the results of a comprehensive survey of Islanders, Vashon’s community council is urging state ferry officials to reject the idea of higher fares for peak commute hours and offer discounts for walk-on passengers or those driving compact cars.
The 10-page position paper, submitted to state officials last month, also calls on the state to develop an “integrated transportation network,” coordinating schedules and fares for ferries, buses, carpools and other transit options.
Rachel and Fred Miles have struggled for years with the vagaries of running a towing service on a ferry-dependent island. They’ve faced long lines, late boats, even ferries unexpectedly out of service.
Now, they shudder at the thought of what might lie ahead: A reservation system that could require them to call an hour or more in advance of catching a boat to secure themselves a space.
Islanders say public lands commissioner should recuse himself.
The board also wants to see improvements to athletic fields.
Trip to Island nation is an act of civil disobedience.
Search firm tells board to prepare for salary ‘sticker shock.’
Developer’s lawsuit heads to court in two weeks.
Cash-strapped system needs to change, Islanders are told.
PSE’s innovative Green Power program lights the way on Vashon.
Conservation win caps three-year effort to protect shoreline.
