General Election: We need Christine Rolfes in Olympia

Published 9:32 am Friday, October 29, 2010

Ferry service is essential to our Kitsap economy and that affects everyone here. With budget cuts threatening to curtail service or raise our fares, Kitsap County needs Christine Rolfes in Olympia.

As Chair of Kingston’s Ferry Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the Executive Council of Ferry Advisory Committees I go to an unreasonable number of meetings. The bright spot in going to these meetings has been observing Rolfes working on behalf of ferry riders in the House Transportation Committee. We could not have a more thoughtful or harder working ferry advocate than Rolfes. Through her political skill and ability to present a well-reasoned argument, she has earned a reputation for credibility in the legislature. She has taken on the senate’s powerful and hard-nosed Transportation Committee Chair and has emerged having earned the senator’s respect. With a $3B budget shortfall, our legislators must be able to convince these key decision makers not to impose runaway fares or slash our service.

Last week’s coverage in the Herald said that Christine’s opponent will “shake things up” in Olympia. As Elvis would say, Olympia is already “all shook up.” What we need is a leader who will put thinks back together. We need Christine Rolfes.

Walt Elliott

Chair Kingston Ferry Advisory Committee