This letter is to any person, especially Islanders, who use the ferry system.

The SSA recently raised rates, justifying their move on the high cost of fuel. After fuel costs fell to their lowest level in years, despite a petition from thousands of people, they have not been willing to roll back that increase.

Over the years, the SSA has changed from an organization with the mission of providing adequate transportation for Islanders. It seems that the SSA is now an organization dedicated to shipping large numbers of tourists, and large quantities of goods, in ways that are much more deluxe than adequate.

The SSA is planning for hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses in the near future. While many of these expenses are arguably necessary, many may not be.

Unless the SSA is challenged about its large spending plans, the money will be spent, and those increased costs will come out of your pocket in yet more rate increases in the years to come.

In past years, few Islanders have attended SSA meetings. It’s impossible for the SSA to be responsive to its users unless those users speak their mind. If you want a decently run, responsive, economically operated SSA, you must be willing to speak your mind.

Your chance is coming on March 10.

Please, if at all possible, go to the informational meeting at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School that evening.

Speak your mind.

Thomas Hodgson
West Tisbury