Island Transit not funded by property taxes

Dear Editor:

While I believe everyone should be heard, I cannot sit by and let those who have failed to educate themselves on the Island Transit issue misinform others.

A case in point: The letter by Penny Marquart published Aug. 11, regarding her version of how our tax dollars are spent.

I'd like to say to Ms. Marquart, Island Transit is not requesting a raise in your property taxes. Island Transit is paid through sales tax on what you buy in Island County.

The small increase that is being requested will bring the percentage to the level of what other transit systems already receive so that Island Transit's services can continue.

You claim approximately 80 percent of people in Island County don't ride the bus. I am curious where you obtained your information.

The fact is, Island Transit provided over 1.4 million rides in 2008 and nearly 176,000 of those riders were people from Camano Island.

You question the purchase of the "Vote Yes on Transit" signs and say that it is an example of how the county is wasteful of taxpayers' hard-earned money.

The fact is that both fire and transit signs were donated by private organizations that believe and support both issues, not taxpayers' money.

Last I heard, when you put 176,000 riders on a bus instead of individual trips in an automobile, you are conserving resources, spending less money and cutting emission. I call that "saving green by going green."

I'm not sure if Penny Marquart and others know that, in addition to the normal rider routes, Island Transit provides rides to those people who would otherwise have no way to leave their home for medical appointments or groceries, etc.

If the Island Transit initiative does not pass, you may have your wish Ms. Marquart . the services provided to Island County will have to be cut.

S. Nelson Stanwood, formerly of Camano