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SPorts: Athletes earn all-star honors. Page 9
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Rate increase looms for ferry riders By Nathan Whalen Staff Reporter
Riding state ferries is likely to become a bit more expensive. In an attempt to meet revenue goals set by the state Legislature, officials from Washington State Ferries are proposing fare increases over the next two years. Officials are considering two rounds of fare increases. The first would be a 3 percent increase in vehicle fares and a 2 percent increase in passenger fares that would take effect Oct. 1, 2013. The second would be 2.5 percent increase in vehicle fares and a 2 percent increase in passenger fares that would take effect May 1, 2014. Based on the current peak-season fares, the fare for a driver and car on the Coupeville ferry route would go from $10.25 to $10.82. The fare for a driver and car on the Clinton ferry route would go from $7.75 to $8.18. Ferry officials presented their fare proposal last week at a Washington State Transportation Commission meeting. The transportation commission is the state entity that has the authority to adjust fares for the ferry system. Washington State Ferries has to raise $328 million to meet a budget requirement set by the state Legislature, which is an increase from the amount set in the current biennium. Washington State Ferries is budgeted to collect $310 million in fares during the current biennium and it is meeting that forecasted amount, said Jean Baker, deputy chief of finance and administration for Washington State Ferries. Approximately 65 percent of the revenue Washington State Ferries receives comes from fares. The proposal includes higher fare increases for vehicle fares than passenger fares. “Passengers are cheaper to carry than cars,” Baker said. “We should be encouraging passenger traffic.” Officials are also considering a fare structure for three-wheeled vehicles, which would pay the motorcycle fare if they are under eight-feet in length; change the youth fare discount from 20 percent to 50 percent; and allow no-show fees in lieu of deposits for reservations. The Washington State Transportation Commission ultimately decides fares for Washington State Ferries. A public comment period will take place during the summer of 2013 and any change in fares will start Oct. 1.
VOL. 18, NO. 43
Patriotic Pride
Nathan Whalen photo
Adam and Lily Bly, representing the Coupeville Lions Club, seemed to be enjoying their walk through Coupeville during the annual Memorial Day Parade Saturday.
Thousands attend town’s annual Memorial parade By Nathan Whalen Staff Reporter
Pearl Harbor survivors, along with other World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans joined active duty personnel and Whidbey Island residents to remember and honor the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect the United States. Coupeville is home of an annual Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony that took place Saturday. Thousands of people lined the streets of Coupeville and filled Coupeville Town Park to participate in a festive day of events. “I am honored to speak on behalf of the Navy, but it is especially humbling to stand here in uniform and speak about the many American heroes we honor on this special day,” said Capt. Mike Nortier, commanding officer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. “Memorial Day is a time to pause and take the long view, to take stock of what really matters, to think about what we do and why we do it.”
Nortier spoke during the ceremony honoring fallen service personnel. He took time to mention the Pearl Harbor survivors Jim Stansell, Cecil Calavan, Harold Johnson, Anthony Nady and Harold Shimer who, along with veterans Bill Ethridge, Harry Farrier and Walter Nelson, were on the Town Park stage during the ceremony. Stansell, who is president of the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Association, conducted a bell ceremony and Hospital Corpsman First Class Charles Winter used a bugle to perform Taps. The All Island Community Band also performed. “The eloquence of words cannot match the power of the sacrifices made by so many. We honor them. We praise them. We remember them,” Nortier said. A light-hearted parade took place before the ceremony. Around 70 entrants comprised this year’s procession that traveled down Main Street, onto Front Street through downtown
before ending up at Town Park. Community groups, the Coupeville High School marching band and church groups were some of the entries in Saturday’s parade. Janice Vaughan was named grand marshal, which is the first year Coupeville’s Memorial Day parade had such an honor. Once the parade wrapped up, people walked to Town Park where they could enjoy a hot dog lunch prepared by members of the Central Whidbey Lions Club. Food was provided by Prairie Center Red Apple.
For more Memorial Day pictures See page 16