| Port Orchard officials have typically short memory but can’t resist supporting yet another transit sales tax boost for the sake of “economy” and “vision.” Two such taxes were already approved in the last decade. For what? More empty busses! Consider:
Kitsap Transit’s proposed ferries have not completed development. Washington DOT already lost a nearly $4M lawsuit over major beach damages in the environmentally sensitive Rich Passage. Risk of failure is extreme. ALL past foot-ferries had damaging wakes. Non-damaging wake performance should first be confirmed in a proven prototype.
Planned beach replenishment and migration studies in Rich Passage have not yet even started. This should also be required for any prototype.
There is no provision for canceling the tax if ferries fail performance. There should be this provision. Taxes will otherwise flow into Transit coffers regardless. We don’t need still more surplus busses or complementary taxi services seeking innovative ways to legally spend excess taxes.
Kitsap Transit anticipates insufficient fast-ferry drawing power, so has placed about 30 percent of its entire fast ferry budget into still more busses to “force-feed” the system.
Our elected representatives need to learn from history. Voters should vote ‘NO’ until we see a more responsible plan.
Karl Duff
Port Orchard | 
