Tuesday
March 12th, 2008Day 878 of Kingston Held Hostage
Monday
March 10th, 2008AP Story on our Ferries
Yahoo! News - Largest ferry system hits rough waters
Saturday
March 9th, 2008New Sign Station added:
Townsend Bay Property Management
412 Logan Street, Port Townsend, WAÂ 98368
Thank you again Christina Nelson!
Friday
March 8th, 2008Â PT Chamber Meeting
This past week Kyle Alm and I had the opportunity to attend the Monthly PT Chamber of Commerce meeting held at Fort Warden commons. Mike Bookey, Manager - Port of Kingston presented their business plan for Passenger ferry service 2009.
Although it seems Port Townsend officials are not enthusiastic, nor opposed, the possibility of a passenfer ferry in Port Townsend…the options are on the table. After the meeting our team has engaged the Port with our business plan, the Port seems to be optimistic.  We’ll continue to tie the pieces together here and solidify a plan.
HB 2730
House Bill 2730 to allow port districts to provide ferry service in Puget Sound continues to move forward. The Senate Transportation Committee approved the bill on February 26.
Monday
February 26th, 2008Day 864 of Kingston Held Hostage
Kingston Express Digest - No. 125 – February 25, 2008
Friday
February 22nd, 2008Yesterday members of the Seattle2PT campaign along with Nels Sultan (Kingston Express) and Mike Bookey (Port of Kingston) traveled to Olympia. Each of us had the opportunity to speak in front of the Senate Transportation Committee in support of HB 2730.
TVW video of the session can be seen below. HB2730 is shown at the last 5 minutes of the 1.5 hr broadcast.
Senate Transportation held on February 21, 2008 1:30pm
Public: SGA 9307, HB 1403, E2SHB 1773, SHB 2455, HB 2730, SHB 3183, HJM 4030
Please click here to watch video.
Tuesday
February 20th, 2008I think we will see more of this, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a $100 million dollar bill to build small boats. The plan is to build three 54-car, 325-passenger boats like the Steilacoom II.
Video: Wild ferry ride (Port Townsend to Whidbey Island)
Day 857 of Kingston Held Hostage
Kingston Express Digest - No. 124 – February 18, 2008
Friday
January 15th, 2008UPDATE! 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.Â
Kingston Express Digest - No. 123 – February 11, 2008Â
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.Â
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.  Â
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.Â
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 - Â 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.Â
 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.Â
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
Seattle to Port Townsend Ferry Petition
December 16th, 2007
Thank you for your support, please sign below.
After you have added your name to this petition an e-mail will be sent to the given address to confirm your signature. Please make sure that your e-mail address is correct or you will not receive this e-mail and your name will not be counted.
Last 50 signatories
Kevin Schuman: "I feel this is a vital connection for commerce"
Susan Diaz-Romero
John Doney
Donna Murphy Doney
Christina Nelson: "this is one of the greatest things to happen to our forgotten little community. For our children, it makes exposing them to cultural events in the city much easier and increases the frequency w/ convenience."
Valerie Harris: "I am moving to Port Townsend, but I am very concerned about the now three hour commute to Seattle using bus and Bainbridge Ferry should I have an emergency or some kind of problem. A direct ferry would be so much more practical and comforting."
Jan Sykora
Heather Sykes: "Oh wow I could go to Seattle or Kingston everyday"
John Canda
Heidi Canda: "My family would use this service all the time"
Nicolas Dahl: "I really need this to happen cause it would be so much easier for me to get to see my family"
Chad McMullen: "Breakfast in Port Townsend, lunch in Kingston, dinner in Seattle."
denise: "yea i was wondering how many people go through port townsend on weekends and then how many people go through there on week days"
Tye Seeley
megan smith: "i would use this service!"
Max Pinton
erica lynn dahl
Jack & Grace Allen: "Would be a tremendous addition to the State Ferry System and would make a great alternative to the current roads we use to make this trip."
Tom Vrable
Donald H. Baumer III
JP Baccarat: "A fantastic way to link 2 of the very best places on earth!"
Katya Taylor: "A Seattle-Port Townsend Ferry run seems like an obvious option for the times that we live in. With serious oil shortages looming in the not so distant future, we need to develop a stronger public transportation system and implement it before it becomes a crisis."
Natasha Meyers: "I think a ferry between these two communities would be wonderful. Port Townsend needs the business and it'd save so much money on gas prices that are always rising. "
Becca Turner
Jean M Sather
M Dressler: "It is imperative that the PT - Seattle ferry service becomes a reality. Start on weekends only, or weekends and holidays, but START !! then let consumers develop it further by their useage. "
ardith cole: "Please work to secure PT-Seattle ferry service---an Sound alternative when the Hood Canal bridge is not an option. Just as important, it's sure to help the PT economy. "
Kirk Waterhouse
jill dickson: "It would bring much needed commerce to P.T. w/o the traffic. Passengers would be very willing to pay more for fares especially in light of gas and parking prices."
A Ayres: "I think the service is under priced, i would pay more for the service and the opportunity to work and play in Seattle "
J. Lynn Hrenko: "This ferry will be a great asset to both Seattle and Port Townsend. Please consider it as part of a "highway" system and fund it. I would even be willing to pay to travel on the foot ferry each way."
Dean Olson: "At least for the weekends, please offer or permit foot service. If red tape can be eliminated and a private ferry offered, that would be great. I never go to Pt Townsend from Seattle but it\'s something I\'d do if ferry was offered. I\'d be willing to pay $20 round trip."
Mark England
Khrys Whiddon
Corey Wlkins: "Please keep the ferry! I live in Seattle and frequently visit the Olympic Peninsula. I love the area and would love to spend more time there with less car travel."
VICKI FOWLER: "IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE FOR GOOD GROWTH AND WIDELY USED"
harvey pepper: "IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE FOR GOOD GROWTH AND WIDELY USED"
Pat Gray: "please keep the ferry alive!"
Aryanna Steele: "I will spend money in Seattle and Pt Townsend if Ferry is brought back. I know alot of people feel the same, many older folks that do not have access to a computer or the petition. Thank You."
Linda Abbott-Roe
Willard Westre: "Many times cars aren\'t the easiest way to get somewhere."
Patty Greeny: "I would also like to see a car ferry to Seattle as an option after this, especially with the Hood Canal bridge closing in 2009."
Tom Waggoner: "Passenger-only ferry service is critical to Port Townsends economic well-being. This service also allows people to not impact Seattles downtown traffic. A quick stop at Kingston provides passeners a way to get in & out of Seattle during peak hours without using the freeways."
Nicole Shelton
Nancy Elder
Corey Asbell
Craig Erickson: "Keeps one less car off the road. It\'s a very nice convenience, I\'d use it every week (several days). Could we get a year long pass as well?"
Pete DeBoer, Port of Kingston Commissioner: "Hundreds of people left their cars behind and enjoyed Seattle over the holidays. Seattleites came to PT for New Years Eve without cars. This is a no brainer. The West sound is long overdue for this kind of service. NO NEW PAVEMENT REQUIRED! A stop in Kingston couldn't hurt either. "
Rachel Rubinstein
Linda Young: "It would sure be nice if my daughter could take the ferry and work in downtown Seattle."
Petition Stations:
Letter Campaign: