North Bay Wants Ferries

I urge the Water Transit Authority to not repeat past mistakes made by others looking at improving Bay Area ferry service. To the point, the North Bay was egregiously omitted in the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s plan that studied the need for ferry expansion in the Bay Area. Despite protests, the ferry needs of the North Bay were ignored and never seriously considered. The North Bay, North Marin and Sonoma Counties are suffering greatly from the lack of transportation alternatives. The commute is torturous and lengthening. Having a North Bay ferry would help alleviate congestion and give commuters options they desperately need.

As a member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to the Water Transit Authority, I call upon the Water Transit Authority to not compound the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s omission of real consideration of ferry service to the North Bay. Again, the people of the North Bay demand that they not be left out of the process of determining appropriate new ferry terminals and service. It is outrageous that the Water Transit Authority would proceed with the map of proposed new terminals prepared by the Blue Ribbon Task Force without rectifying the glaring omission of the North Bay.

Please listen to the people of the North Bay. We are not second class citizens whose need for transportation alternatives can be dismissed or ranked beneath other parts of the Bay Area. We want to be part of the exciting expansion of ferry service and willing partners in achieving that goal. Please include us in all aspects of planning. We stand ready and able to work with our sister cities and counties around the Bay to provide improved transportation for our residents and employees. Thank you for ensuring that our needs and ideas are fully integrated in the Water Transit Authority’s important planning and development of expanded ferry services and terminals.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Murray

Supervisor, County of Marin, 5th District

Dear Editor:

It’s come to my attention that, during a recent Community Advisory committee meeting, there was a misunderstanding regarding WTA’s commitment to providing ferry service to the North Bay.

I have been the point person for ferry service to Port Sonoma for more than two years and I can vouch for the goodwill of WTA president Charlene Johnson, her board and the staff. I am convinced that they will do everything possible to best serve the North Bay.

The problem at the CAC meeting apparently stemmed from a staff error. An outdated map that did not include service to the North Bay was mistakenly presented. I understand that it will be replaced with a corrected version. After discussions with staff and examination of the work plan I feel confident that this mistake was simply an oversight and I’m happy to to express my ongoing support for the good people at the WTA.

Jim Harberson

Hail, Harre!

What a fantastic idea one of your readers had about naming a ferry after Harre Demorro. I first met this tremendous individual in 1970 when he would visit us here at the Washington State Ferries. Harre’s book "THE EVERGREEN FLEET( pictorial history of the Washington State Ferries)still is the number one sought ferry boat book in this area. Harre would come north frequently to see Ralph White. who was a top official with our system. When we sent our passenger-only ferries to California after the big earthquake, Harre rode one of the boats as part of the delivery crew. What a joy it was to know Harre. Thanks for the opportunity to pass this along.

David Black

Manager, Marine Operations

Washington State Ferries

Biodiesel the Way to Go

It was good to read your article on ferries powered by french fry oils.  The City of Alameda Green Party is working to get our local power company to use biodiesel in the emergency generators they have parked at Alameda Point. 

Richard Bangert

Alameda

Feeling Lucky, Punk?

I noticed you didn’t mention that this train trestle is a historical landmark, and appeared in the Clint Eastwood movie Dirty Harry, during the schoolbus scene at the end of the film. As a 30-year Marin County resident, (born and raised) I would hate to see such a historical structure destroyed just to accommodate the new residents. This is just another slap in the face to us natives, who are slowly being pushed out. The trestle doesn’t need to go, these new residents do. THEY are making the problem, I see less of them in the carpool lanes, than in the regular lanes on the freeway during commute hours. Marin county used to be a pleasant, affordable, homey place to be, now it’s turning into Hollywood. This is just my angry opinion.