Poll: Referendum 51 not popular in county

Referendum 51 appears to be lacking popularity in San Juan County.

In an online poll sponsored by islandsweekly.net and sanjuanjournal.com, 140 said they don’t support the ballot measure; 61 said they do support it.

R-51, on the Nov. 5 ballot, offers to upgrade the entire state transportation system — roads and all public transportation systems, including ferries. It would increase the gas tax by 9 cents a gallon (5 cents in 2003 and 4 cents in 2004) in order to raise $7.7 billion over the next 10 years.

R-51 would also add a 1 percent sales tax on new and used cars and a 30 percent gross weight fee for vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds.

Proponents say R-51 would cost drivers about $45 a year if they drive 12,000 miles and get 24 miles to the gallon.

Washington State Ferries says it desperately needs the money R-51 would generate. The funds would be used to repair worn-out docks and ferries, according to Ferry Engineering Manager Russ East.

Roughly $688 million from R-51 would be used to fund passenger-only ferry service in south Puget Sound, build four new ferries to replace the 1920s-era steel electric ferries, upgrade terminals and purchase land for future service.

Ferries scheduled for replacement include the Nisqually and the Illahee, which provide inter-island service in the San Juans.

State Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes, is keeping his fingers crossed that the measure will be approved. “If Referendum 51 goes down, it will put a lot more pressure on the fare box,” Morris said.

The U.S. Coast Guard is demanding that the steel electric ferries be replaced or substantially upgraded by 2007. Morris said it would be cheaper to replace them than to undertake all the renovations required by the Coast Guard.

Anacortes is one of three ferry terminals in the system designated for major improvements. Slated for completion in 2016, the Anacortes project’s price tag is $119 million.

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