With workers plugging along Highway 305, widening the available roadway from two to four lanes, and improving the way motorists get through Poulsbo it is interesting that, across North Kitsap, Kingston residents are having a very different experience with the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Kingston’s petition against a 4 percent ferry fare increase shouldn’t go unheard by the higher ups at Washington State Ferries or WSDOT. But what should and what does happen in this world aren’t always the same thing.

As evidenced by WSF’s last tumultuous meeting in Kingston, communication is key. And, as a result, lack thereof creates a vault with no entry.

Residents who rely on WSF but have a deep seeded distrust of the state agencies are trying to break in nonetheless. The petition is an effort to do so, and shows that the community by and large is struggling to get its message heard in Olympia.

Constant contact with our state representatives concerning the hike is the hidden combination as the cacophony at the Capitol has the ability to drown out even the loudest of voices at times.

Fortunately, 23rd District representatives Sherry Appleton (Poulsbo) and Christine Rolfes (Bainbridge) spoke up loud and clear as the House unveiled its Capital and Transportation budget plans for the 2007-09 biennium. In it the 4 percent hike received its due.

“… we were able to freeze ferry fare increases in the transportation budget at current rates instead of the 4 percent recommended by the Transportation Commission — riders shouldn’t have to pay for the system’s mistakes,” Rolfes said.

“Ferry riders should be happy with this budget,” Appleton added.

And while our state representatives have done their jobs to a T and ensured that the public’s voice was heard in Olympia during this round, residents should continue to keep the fare hike on their radar because in a few years, it’ll be back with the sales pitch “we haven’t increased fares in two years, so…”

That said, it is good to know our lines of communication on transportation issues are open with Olympia and that, differences with WSDOT and WSF aside, North Kitsap still has a few worthy chips to lay on the bargaining table when needed.