Voters sent a pretty huge warning shot across Kitsap Transit’s bow Tuesday. The statement was clear: We won’t support a foot ferry system that benefits few at the cost of many. It came down to a question of burden, really.

Was the burden being put in the right place? Voters overwhelmingly felt that it wasn’t under Proposition 1. Proponent Alice Tawresey of Bainbridge Island said prior to the vote that most folks who were uncertain about the new taxes, were asking “Chicken Little questions.” Well, apparently enough went unanswered to ensure that the sky did indeed fall on KT.

The message given by proponents was often a convoluted one.

At a meeting with the Kitsap News Group editors she spent 10 minutes talking about how necessary the passenger-only ferries were and then she and Kitsap Transit Executive Director Dick Hayes turned around and explained how the boats would be great for sports fans who didn’t want to miss the last minute of Seattle games.

A mixed message as to whether this was an essential service or a luxury item was being given.

Other “Chicken Littles” had to do with tax impact on older residents, affordability and whether or not traffic would really be lessened on Highway 305 if the proposal passed.

Either way, Hayes told the editors that if the public sank Proposition 1, other means would be investigated to make the boats a go in the future.

This is a fine idea and one that — if promoted properly — may tip the polls in Transit’s direction.

We hope this future plan fully considers the 65 percent “no” the first one received and puts less of a burden on local taxpayers. We also hope state or federal monies take an even larger bite out of the costs before they are passed onto the general public.

And finally,we hope that the new plan answers the little questions in a fashion that residents here will feel confident that the proposal offered is the best option available and one they can support at the ballot box.