In regards to the July 10 edition of the paper and, in particular the article on Page A3 entitled “Alcohol ads could appear soon on Kitsap buses,” my response is: “Are you kidding me? Seriously?”

Did you read the ad by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence on the very same page, or the article on Page A1 entitled, “A deadly Fourth of July weekend”? And did you then consider the role that alcohol frequently plays in these tragedies?

Wake up, Kitsap Transit board: there’s a problem with alcohol abuse in this county that will be ill-served by advertisements promoting alcohol consumption on our buses passing in front of the eyes of our youth, as well as those already struggling with alcohol addiction. Putting a few cautionary words such as “drink sensibly” or refraining from scantily clad models is not going to cancel out the larger message out there.

I am a firm believer in advertising on buses to bring in revenue for Kitsap Transit, but hereby challenge you to find a more responsible sponsor.

We may get the dollars from the alcohol industry in our coffers, but then the money will leak out again when we have to support our police, courts, lawyers, counselors, doctors and hospitals in remedying the tragic results of our actions.

Being just a simple citizen, I bring this challenge before you. We can do better.

I would usually not spotlight a problem without proposing a solution, but in this case my knowledge of alternative sponsors is sadly lacking, so I’m asking the businesses of our great county to step up and consider putting their ads on the side of the bus, and promote a positive community attitude along our roadways.

Jeanne Maier
Poulsbo