The Final Push: Earle's Battle Against Ferry Rate Hikes

HELP PETER FIGHT TO KEEP FARES FAIR!

The ferry is every Lummi Island resident's lifeline. It’s the only access to the mainland for most of the island’s 934 residents, in addition to tourists and other service providers such as propane, plumbing, construction, package delivery, home care, garbage and recycling. Lummi Island has very limited infrastructure - groceries, clothing, medical care, and fuel all require a trip off island.

In the article Lummi Island ferry rate hike starts June 1, while lawsuit over increase heads to trial, Denver Pratt, Bellingham Herald writes:

"A pending Lummi Island ferry rate hike will be allowed to take effect June 1, while a lawsuit filed by an island resident seeking to stop the fare increase will head to trial in several months. At a hearing Wednesday, May 22 in Whatcom County Superior Court, Judge Evan Jones did not issue a ruling on whether to grant a preliminary injunction, which would have stopped the fare increase from taking effect next weekend. Instead, Jones reserved a ruling on an injunction, consolidated all of the issues raised by the resident’s lawsuit and directed both attorneys to proceed to a trial on the merits. The trial will happen on an expedited basis, meaning it will occur more quickly than normal." The trial is scheduled to begin October 2nd.

Peter Earle (a semi-retired attorney who is licensed to practice in Wisconsin and has done work in California, Rhode Island and Illinois) is acting as his own counsel. He claims that county officials were incorrectly calculating the costs that they were using to justify the fare increase by illegally including emergency repairs and tideland lease costs. The lawsuit alleges that including both the emergency repair and leasing costs as operating costs, rather than as capital costs, was incorrect and illegal, and was the justification for the ferry rate hikes."

Peter has taken on the fight - now we all need to pitch in to cover the cost! During the past 2 months Peter has been preparing for trial by deposing the defendants (County Executive Satpal Sidhu, Director of Public Works Liz Kosa, Holmes, Scanlon and Whatcom County). The $22,000 raised early in this Go Fund Me covered the deposition and accountant costs. This second $5,000 GFE Goal is to cover the accountant's trial preparation and expert witness trial costs.

Read more at: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article288653215.html#storylink=cpy

Note to Donors: Due to Peter Earle's dual role as plaintiff and also fact-witness in this lawsuit (and at Peter Earle's request) I have agreed to act as temporary custodian of funds on his behalf until an island non-profit can take over the responsibility. In the meantime, a separate checking account has been set up to isolate funds. A full accounting of all donations received and all legal expenses paid will be provided to Peter on a regular basis. Thank you! ~ Leslie Dempsey