Supports Prop. 1, fast-ferry funding proposal | Letter to the editor

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 4, 2016

As the former executive director of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce and a downtown small-business owner, I know firsthand how our connection to the region impacts business and jobs here.

The proposed fast ferry offers South Kitsap a “double bonus” of access to downtown Seattle via the 23-minute connection from Southworth, as well as a link by our own foot ferry to Bremerton, and then 28 minutes to Seattle. This connection will bring more visitors – and shoppers – into our stores and local businesses.

Ferries are the number one tourist activity in Washington, and these additional links will help bring more spending and activity to all of Port Orchard.

We appreciate the patronage of our own local residents, but as many have observed over the last year, downtown businesses are struggling to survive within the current economic climate. We need more customers, and the fast ferry will provide additional new visitors, and maybe new residents, who might make the difference for downtown businesses struggling to keep their doors open.

Please join me and vote yes on Proposition 1, Kitsap Transit’s fast-ferry proposal.

Coreen Haydock

Port Orchard