From Oct. 1997 and 1998 Evening Star
Win Anderson 1997, 1998 · October 11, 2026 · History Ferry Skagit
(Originally published Oct. 1997. and 1998, The Evening Star) Private Ferry Looks Certain, County Issues Ultimatum
Looking at possible savings up to $70,000 per year, The Skagit County Board of Commissioners has issued what amounts to an ultimatum to the Inland Boatmen's Union representing the county ferry crew: Cut costs or you're out. A Sept. 24 deadline for response was set. At press time it appeared the county was leaning toward hiring Pacific Coast Maritime which currently operates Pierce County's Anderson Island ferry. The union, however, is not standing still. Officials say the county is guilty of unfair labor practices The IBU plans to stand firmly behind the embattled employees. The crew was heartened recently, to receive word from the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) finding merit in their case. A hearing will be scheduled "in the near future." aThe Star has learned that because of the implied threat of losing their jobs, the union crew has refused to sign the recently-negotiated contract. "What is the purpose of negotiations if when you finish the county says that is still not enough?" is the way union regional director Scott Bramer phrased it. The union is considering an injunction if the county hires a private firm. Meanwhile the Guemes Island Ferry Committee has managed to stay out of the fray. Committee representative Glen Veal told The Star that committee members learned long ago that you don't take sides in these debates. "It is our job to represent the people of Guemes by providing the county with information. It is up to our elected officials to make the decisions," he said. And no public meeting on Guemes will be held, "until we have something to report."
OCTOBER 1998: In the "Mamma told me there'd be days like this" category comes this little ferry tale: Crew members were puzzled to find an abandoned Beetle on board after offloading on the Guemes side one day last month. But the keys were in the ignition of the red Volkswagen so Holly Bowman drove it off and Gary Casperson placed a call to the Nicolls residence to remind Gail that she might have forgotten something. Of course Gail had gotten into Nick's car to chat during the crossing and.... well, you know the rest. Everyone who hears the story laughs then thinks for a moment and comments something like, "That could have been me."
As a matter of fact, leaving cars on the ferry is not unusual. Often locked and with the security alarm on. Reminds me of the classic announcement at Husky Stadium many years ago, to wit: "Attention please. To the owner of a gold '57 Lincoln: your lights are on, your doors are locked and your glove compartment is leak-ing."
And before we leave the subject of good deeds by our county ferry crew... it must be noted that the apprehension of three young confessed burglars is largely due to the observation and follow-up work of none other than Pat Hoyland Smith. Skipper Smith worked 'til midnight and noticed suspicious activity in the vicinity of the Landing Friday, August 21" ". The next day, when she heard about the store burglary, she called the mother of one of the boys. The woman immediately followed up, leading to the confessions. Would this have happened with a "privatized" ferry crew? I think not.
