The story of the Community Water Taxi Group is intertwined with Justin Paulsen. Simply put, without Justin, CWT would never have happened. The recent success of a $1,500,000 emergency transportation grant from Gov. Inslee to the County, would not have happened.
On Saturday morning Aug. 19, 2023, I received an urgent call from Justin concerning 30-plus kids needing to get to Friday Harbor for the County Fair. Justin knew both the need and my qualifications; I did not know Justin. Within 45 minutes of his call we had arranged subsidized fare, acquired permission to use docks and picked up our first passengers. It was an amazing call to service that seems to happen around Justin.
Initially, we thought this was a one-off event, but little did we know the MV Chelan would hit Shaw Island Sunday evening. Come Monday, cancer patients, workers and other residents with essential transportation needs were left in the lurch. Justin saw the wisdom to provide an alternative to Washington State Ferry service.
Together, we created a citizen group of community-oriented residents. CWT was born! So began 13 months of collaboration that continues today. CWT did collect, review and analyze data, assess the need, share ideas and bring many diverse people into the project, including our Ports and Council. Together, we promoted and lobbied for funding. It’s been a challenging but rewarding project.
Working closely with Justin Paulsen over the last year, I have witnessed his strong commitment to our community and every resident. He possesses many useful skills: he listens and carefully considers diverse viewpoints, assesses and determines facts, evaluates complex issues, and collaboratively works to solve challenging problems. If you are looking for a councilperson who will listen to each and every voice, think creatively, work well in a group and meet challenges and setbacks with determination, then Justin is the right choice for County Council. You honestly cannot do better.
Thomas Bridge
USCG Master, Island Water Taxi owner
Crane Island
