Editor,

I attended the meeting in Langley, re: ideas to move people up and down from the Marina to Cascade Avenue.

The three options that make the most sense are funicular, elevator or trolley-on-wheels. All three choices can have a wheelchair lift.

Communities have a moral and legal obligation to facilitate ADA accessibility for residents as well as guests.

Many people think this people-moving conversation is just a “Langley” issue. It is not just Langley-centric, for a variety of reasons.

Every property owner on South Whidbey has a financial stake in the Marina – we’ve paid for the Port of South Whidbey’s marina expansion, and we want to see the marina continue to be successful.

The $500,000 grant from Island County to Langley is from all taxpayers in Island County, and was generated in part because of the marina expansion.

The Wharf Street area is zoned with a commercial overlay to facilitate business expansion. I hope for a new restaurant, some condos, maybe even a fresh seafood shop.

Between April/May through Sept/October, the population of both Langley and South Whidbey dramatically jumps in size, essentially doubling. Yet, somehow, the planning decisions for Langley as well as South Whidbey plan only for the six months of low/winter populations … why?

Whether the final choice is a funicular, an elevator or a trolley on wheels — all three of these ideas have merit, and can serve well.

This decision should not fester into arguments of which idea is right, since there is no way any one idea will make everyone happy.

The future economy looks better every day. Let’s not waste time. Choose one of the options, study the costs, and get with the program.

As Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

LEANNE FINLAY

Freeland