Editor,

Upon moving here in 1993, one of the things that delighted me about Whidbey Island was its free bus system. That made statements to me not only about valuing/encouraging public transportation, which supports a cleaner environment, but also about valuing people and supporting the needs of the young who can’t drive or don’t have money; the elderly who can’t drive or don’t have money; the disabled, the poor, and even the stranded motorist. I liked being part of a community that supported values that people like M. L. King Jr. and Gandhi and Mother Teresa supported. Such a program fits well with free parks, off-leash areas, walking trails and organizations like Good Cheer Food Bank and Hearts and Hammers.

Of course, that was also when we had a smaller population, less traffic, less tension, less conflict and less crime. In other words, when quality of life still outweighed quantity of objects and when the Sheriff’s Report in the paper was read for entertainment (whose cow is loose this week?). Of course, when those of us fortunate to have houses and cars and, consequently, taxes focus only on the amount of tax we pay, it’s easy to discount those who don’t, for one reason or another, have cars or their health or money.

Now that we have a bigger population and need — more than ever — public transportation, free park access and better schools, we have a smaller public interest in providing such services.

I rather liked the “old” Whidbey better, I think. I was proud of it.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT).

Fair winds,

MARIAN BLUE

Clinton