Proposition 1 will be decided next Tuesday and with it, the fate of passenger-only boats connecting Kingston to Seattle — for the foreseeable future at least. Yet the North Kitsap community that stands to gain the most doesn’t have all its oars in the water on the issue.

There are strong rowers, mind you, but by and large the Little City by the Sea is far from giving forth a unified effort. A recent meeting with Kitsap Transit should have turned into a rally for the new service, instead it was apparent that many were reluctant to support the plan. This is not a very good sign.

If voters in Kingston aren’t backing Proposition 1, the situation in South Kitsap — where schools struggle to pass levies — is likely dire. Out of all the North Kitsap towns, Kingston should be the one pulling the hardest.

It has a lot on the line, from real estate to business integrity to improved connections to the east side, but questions remain as to how many voters there will approve the 3/10ths percent sales tax increase to help fund the implementation of the foot ferries.

And while some there have been working diligently to bring the boats for years, others seem content on letting the opportunity sail. It’s an odd dichotomy.

The Herald endorses Proposition 1 because it represents forward thinking in terms of transportation and that the existing cross Sound connections will be inadequate in the future. No matter what, residents here and residents on the east side will be traveling back and forth. This won’t end if Proposition 1 fails. Growth won’t miraculously cease, either.

Both will continue.

Both will intensify. And whether Kitsap County is prepared or caught with its pants down is now in the hands of the voters. So, Kingston, what say you?