To the editor:

Island Transit is going to the polls on Aug. 18 with a ballot measure requesting an increase of three-tenths of 1 percent of the retail sales and use tax – only 30 cents on $100.

Without a “Yes” vote, Island Transit will be forced to reduce services by 33 percent.

We’re looking for your support to ensure this doesn’t happen. To that effect, we have formed a community group called S.O.S. – Save Our System, to get this crucial “Yes” vote.

Island Transit provides our citizens with mobility, economic, and green choices that are imperative, especially during these difficult times. Island Transit serves so many of our citizens – commuters, students, the elderly, persons of disability. This is not the time to cut public transportation services.

Remember, everyone benefits from Island Transit, whether you ride the bus or not. Every rider on the bus takes a car off our roadways. Our folks need Island Transit to get to work or job searches, pursue educational opportunities, get to medical services, shop at our local businesses, and attend social functions – all of which are important to our local economy. We must maintain our public transportation services and avoid cuts at all cost.

Please help us SAVE OUR SYSTEM! We invite those who want to help our efforts to contact S.O.S. by email at S.O.S.2009@live.com or by phone at 360-672-1351.

Therese Varney

Save Our System Committee Member