To the editor:

The residents of Whidbey Island are woefully underrepresented with respect to the current ferry proposals.

Citizens have already rallied a strong mobilized effort around protecting the Anacortes-Sydney ferry run. A grassroots citizen’s action group is making its voice heard at the state level. Go to the following Web site to see what is already under way at http://saveourferry.net.

The citizens of Whidbey Island have yet to weigh in and make our voices heard. Our incomes are vitally dependent upon our ability to access the island. Making this access more limited and challenging will certainly hurt our already difficult economic situation.

The Whidbey Island Association of Realtors has been asked to help mobilize the citizens of Whidbey on a grassroots level.

Anyone whose livelihood depends upon the reliability of the ferry system will be called to action in order to protect our ferry runs. Individuals and groups must be willing to call, write, and best of all go to Olympia when called. A show of support is vitally needed in order to insist that our state legislators protect our ferry service.

This request is going out to any interested parties who feel strongly about protecting our ferries. If you would like to be involved at any level, please e-mail Todd Bitts at toddb@whidbey.com.

County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson is currently mobilizing the existing Ferry Advisory Committees (Clinton and Keystone), and whatever group we are able to form would work in concert with these existing committees. More public input is valued, desired and needed.

Thank you for your cooperation and interest. Please forward this request to anyone who you think might be interested.

Christina Parker

Government Affairs Chairwoman

Whidbey Island Association of Realtors

Todd Bitts

President

Whidbey Island Association of Realtors