I have been observing discussions at public meetings and around the community about Kitsap Transit’s priorities, funding and services. Those conversations usually involve the restoration of Sunday bus service or the proposed restoration of the 30-minute fast ferry to Seattle.

As part of the recession cuts, Kitsap Transit and its executive board cut Sunday bus service to the poor, disabled and mobility challenged to meet budget demands. I think as a community we all swallowed hard and understood it as a necessary step to address the financial challenges at the time.

Recently, Kitsap Transit has projected that funding has improved to an estimated $30.9 million, above the pre-recession level of $30.4 million. Kitsap Transit has stated recently that due to increased cost over time financial challenges still exist but are improved. Discussions have started again within the executive board as to how the new projected funding should be allocated. Also part of the conversations is an available one tenth of a percent higher local taxation (about $3.3 million) possibility for buses before reaching their cap and a possible up to three tenths taxation locally for the proposed fast ferry. Both higher taxation levels would be focused locally within our county and require a citizens vote by ballot. I doubt a full four-tenths sales tax raise to 9.1 percent would be approved by any majority of voters so maybe it’s time to clearly prioritize.

When I think of community priorities, my opinion becomes clear and so would any vote I would cast. That vote would be towards enabling the transportation of the poor, disabled and mobility challenged rather than make the commute to Seattle 30 minutes quicker for myself or a fewer more financially stable commuters.

Even if my belief was to support the proposed fast ferry at the continued expense of the poor and disabled in our community, wouldn’t taxpayers just have to make up any loss of revenue to WSF for the pilfered riders diverted to Kitsap Transit’s fast ferry? Where is the independent economic study plan that proves out the financial benefit of the fast ferry? Some elected leaders are quick to say it will benefit but I have seen no independent proof of that.

If Kitsap Transit and its executive board should choose to fund a fast ferry rather than restore bus service on Sunday, the question should be asked how they propose to transport the poor on Sunday to places such as nonemergency medical needs, shelters, community provided meals and other things they can’t live without. The struggles of the disadvantaged and handicapped shouldn’t be thrown aside for nonessential services.

Enable the poor, disabled and mobility challenged. They must live with their disadvantages seven days a week, not six.

Columnist Robert Parker is a member of the Reporter-Patriot community advisory board.