To the editor:

I have worked for Island Transit for almost 17 years with most of my time spent in the dispatch center. I would like to tell you about some of the services that Island Transit provides to the community that you may not know about.

For years we have been the “eyes” for the Island County Sheriff’s Office, Langley Police Department and the Oak Harbor Police Department. I remember one incident where one of our operators was following an erratic driver and he asked us to call ICOM. The car pulled into a Clinton business and a deputy sheriff pulled in behind them and arrested the driver for DUI. We might have saved a life that day.

Over the years they have called and asked us to put out descriptions to our operators of elderly people with dementia who have walked away from their homes. We have helped locate runaway children. We have had frantic parents call and ask us to watch for missing children. There have been times when our operators have witnessed vehicle accidents and have been able to assist the police with their investigation.

Island Transit is part of disaster preparedness planning along with the police agencies and fire departments of Island County. We are ready to assist and transport people if there were an earthquake, tsunami or any other natural disaster.

Schoolchildren in Island County are allowed to leave their school district and attend schools in other towns. This allows them to choose a school that has a more suitable curriculum for their educational needs. Since Island Transit runs from Oak Harbor to Clinton, the children are able to ride the transit to get their school of choice.

On the South End of Whidbey Island the teachers and their classes ride Island Transit to and from the “outdoor classroom” on Maxwelton Road. On north Whidbey some classes ride the transit out to Coronet Bay to another “outdoor classroom.” Without Island Transit these children would not be able to have these learning opportunities.

I believe one of the most critical services we provide are to the elderly and disabled who have no other means of transportation. These riders are able to stay independent. It would be a shame if someone in a wheelchair who needs kidney dialysis and has no family or friends to help them would not be able to get to their necessary medical treatment appointments.

Recently one of our operators went to a house to pick up a rider and found her unconscious and on the floor and started CPR. He had us call 911 for medical assistance. The ambulance transported her to the hospital and she made a full recovery! Thank goodness most of the employees at Island Transit are CPR certified.

In closing, I want you to know we are more than just a bus service. We are a part of the Whidbey Island community and have been since 198,

Terry Lindner

Coupeville