Whoever coined the fatherly advice that hard work and patience pays off in the long run would certainly be at home in Kingston right now. After more than a decade of debate, discussion and delays, the Little City by the Sea will finally be floating its own passenger-only boat to Seattle.

Aqua Express cleared one of the final hurdles in the process with speed that surprised many Friday when the Washington Utilities and Transportation Committee OKed its application to operate the service. At the rate things have been progressing in the past year, the Oct. 1 startup date should be a piece of cake.

Everything is pretty much set to float and those who have worked so hard for so long are to be heartily congratulated.

But as with all business ventures, both old and new, public support determines success. Last November, Proposition 1 — which called for 3/10ths percent sales tax and additional Motor Vehicle Excise Tax supporting Kitsap County’s passenger-only boats — was sunk at the polls. It was a huge setback for those supporting the service.

Even so, it wasn’t one that stopped their wheels from turning forward. A fine example of hard work and patience.

Comments received by the WUTC have been overwhelmingly positive and, gauging by the quick decision, the state feels the new service in Kingston will be a successful one.

Once again, the public will be called upon for its support. The financial ball is again in North Kitsap’s court — let’s at least take a good, hard swing at it.