I live in Clinton and work at the library in Mukilteo. My commute had been walking aboard the ferry, riding across, and taking the bus to and from the library. This was cost- and time-effective and environmentally a good choice until service was reduced to one boat sailing per hour. Those sailings were scheduled opposite the hourly reduced bus schedule. I decided to drive to and from work which meant planning an extra hour (at least) to ensure getting on a ferry in time to get to work. The first attempt failed and it took two hours to get on a ferry and I was late for work. That evening. I spent six hours commuting one day!
The next day I saw the line that evening and chose to drive around via Deception Pass in a torrential rain storm. I saved an hour of my commute time and still was exhausted! I have lately been driving and am grateful for the days there are two ferries per hour. It is totally predictably unpredictable but better.
Sitting in line for all those hours I looked around at all of my fellow travelers and thought about how many hours were taken from all of our lives as we sat there in the cold and dark. And how many people with compromised health situations were put in such circumstances.
I have heard rumors that ferry workers were pulling last-minute sick days because they resented the mask and vaccine requirements. And some of those either retiring or anticipating being fired used up their accumulated sick leave. How cruel, selfish and thoughtless if this is what has been happening! We are all trying to survive these challenging times and need to look for solutions for the community, not just ourselves.
Unfortunately you cannot legislate or mandate compassion or morality.
For those who continue to show up and do the best they can, I send a huge note of thanks and encouragement!
Please stay the course as those at the helm and work to resolve this challenging situation!
Lynae Slinden
Clinton
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
