UPDATE! 02/15/08 - HB 2730 Passes House Unanimously!

Today Seattle2PT campaign received news confirmed by Mike Bookey (Manager, Port of Kingston) that HB 2730 was passed by the House unanimously.  Now its on to the Senate.

Smaller ferries in Admiralty Inlet would be dangerous

By David Brewster

A former NOAA officer, otherwise anonymous, has filed an interesting report about weather conditions in Admiralty Inlet, where the Port Townsend-Whidbey Island ferry route runs (when it does). His verdict: the state’s plans to replace the current ferry with a smaller boat would risk lives, due to the mighty winds and waves prevalent in the area.

The blogger describes, with detailed records, how the wind comes around the Olympics and creates intense pressure and high waves. That calls for boats that are “large, powerful, and sturdy,” he writes.  <…read full article>

02/11/08 - Day 850 of Kingston Held Hostage. 

Kingston Express Digest - No. 123 – February 11, 2008 

02/04/08 - Day 843 of Kingston Held Hostage.

Kingston Express Digest - No. 122 – February 4, 2008

1/31/08 - Pictures taken by Brian Moratti during our latest round of winter weather.

 

1/28/08 - Housebill 2730 Approved by the Transportation Committee!

Today Seattle2PT campaign received news confirmed by Mike Bookey (Manager, Port of Kingston) that HB 2730 was approved by the Transportation Committee.

Current State legislation limits recipients of state Ferry Boat Account grants to Transit Districts and County Ferry Districts.  This proposed legislation adds Ports to the list of approved recipients. 

The next challenge!?  It needs to be heard on the House Floor.  How do we accomplish this? Call or Email Rep. Lynn Kessler ASAP! with your support of this bill.  She is on the Rules Committee that the bill is being sent to for consideration on the House Floor.   

Contact Lynn and voice your support for this HB 2730:

Rep. Lynn Kessler (Majority Leader)
Kessler.Lynn@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7904

Day 836 of Kingston Held Hostage:

Kingston Express Digest - No. 120 – January 21, 2008

1/26/08 - Seattle2PT Campaign combines efforts with Kingston Express

This weekend we attended the  Kingston Express Association board of  Directors meeting.  Mike Bookey, Port of Kingston Manager as also in attendance.

Mike discussed the latest developments with the ports 3.5 million dollar federal grant which was recently awarded to the Port of Kingston. 

Details of Ports business plan can be found here > Port of Kingston Business plan.

It was agreed that we will move forward together, combining our efforts and tie both Kingston and Port Townsend together.  We have started a business plan to include service to Port Townsend on weekend runs.

01/21/08 -  Rep. Kessler Voices Support for Passenger Ferry Service

Rep. Lynn Kessler has given her support for the passenger ferry and has been committing a lot of her time to the ferries.  Kessler has seen the corrosion first hand and was surprised at how extensive the damage was.  Although she is supportive, Kessler did mention that it could be difficult securing the funding given the 60 day short session that is starting its second week. 

 There are several transportation issues that came up during our conversation such as the viaduct and the 520 bridge, there are a lot of projects that are competing for funding in a limited budget.   The state does not have any interest in running passenger ferry service and the gas tax cannot be used to pay for passenger ferries. 

Day 829 of Kingston Held Hostage:

Kingston Express Digest - No. 120 – January 21, 2008

 01/16/08 - Thank you to those supporters who have completed the online survey.

We will be presenting the results of the survey online in the coming weeks (date TBD). We will also provide presentations to the public and interests groups who could benefit from the data we have collected.

The first round of our online survey will be open through 1/25. If you know of any supporters who have not completed the survey be sure to let them know.

Check out our Notable Comments page.

01/14/08 - Day 822 of Kingston Held Hostage:

Kingston Express Digest - No. 118 – January

01/12/08 - Thank you Downtown Kingston Association!
We are here to support you! (…read article)

01/11/08 - Wow, what an amazing week!  From the support of our volunteers to the outreach from Kingston Express and Downtown Kingston and Chamber, we are excited to help both communities and combine our efforts.

The coming weeks we will be involved with all groups of interest and represent the voice of our communities!  Thank you again for your support!

01/07/08 - Seattle2PT meets with Kevin Van De Wege - This afternoon Seattle2PT Campaigners met today with Kevin Van De Wege who fully supports Seattle2PT. Thank you Kevin for the opportunity.

01/07/08 - KOMO4 News Coverage - Seattle2PT Campaigner Kyle Alm addresses Komo4 News’ Akiko Fujita

<…Blog Archive>

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