04/04/2007: "Priority Loading For Farmers & County Nixed"

The County Council has made ferry issues their top priority, but even their own Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) members do not agree with them on the issue of priority loading for agricultural and County vehicles. FAC member Mr. deGavre has informed the County Council that it was the “unanimous decision of the committee” to not support priority loading for agricultural and County vehicles.

In response to questions and concerns expressed last year by the Council on the need to grant special status to certain commercial vehicles (similar to the current health related system), Jayne Davis from WSF (Washington State Ferries) came to the Council to explain that such a change would have to occur at the legislature level, and suggested the Council prepare a report, send it to the WSTC (Washington State Transportation Commission) as the first step toward reaching the legislature.

At that time the Council decided a large committee should be formed to work with staff to draft a proposal for the Council to review, and then, through the public process, work toward a formal request to the State.

So what happen? According Mr. deGavre’s report, the FAC was unable to locate a legitimate problem in the existing system that needed to be addressed. The FAC’s research indicated there was insufficient reasons found for action. It was pointed out that there are rarely overloads on the inter-island runs, and as for the mainland trips, he suggested the County use the existing reservation system that exists.

Councilman Rosenfeld asked that the Council be provided with a list of priority loading that is supported by the FAC; and suggested to the Council they continue the discussion after reviewing the list.