Jessica Greenway “gets” public transportation. She gets that for countless working families, it is the only affordable way to go to and from work.

She gets that routes and schedules have to be accessible and dependable. As an environmental steward, she gets that public transportation provides the benefits of reduced traffic congestion and pollution. With the impending tolls on 520, it is even more critical that we have affordable public transportation.

I commend Jessica, along with the majority of our council, for supporting the temporary $20 tab fee. We watch every dollar that we spend, but as I do the math, this is a more affordable choice.

Even a modest increase in bus fares would negatively impact Kirkland families. For example, a 25-cent fare increase would cost the average commuter an additional $125 per year. Would I rather spend $20 per vehicle or $125 per commuter? The answer is obvious.

To quote Jessica Greenway: “As an elected official, I know that many Kirkland citizens depend on the bus as their only means of transportation. We talk about creating jobs and we should also talk about making sure people can get to jobs. A good transportation system is an economic development tool. We need a complete transportation system with choices that fit everyone’s needs.”

Her opponent, Toby Nixon, has been openly – and unfairly – critical of this proposal and of Ms. Greenway.

He states that the $20 fee “is morally reprehensible for us to lay more taxes on the backs of the poor and needy … providing cheap bus rides for doctors, lawyers, businessmen and senior government employees to their high-paying jobs in downtown Seattle.”

Mr. Nixon’s solution is to raise bus fares.

I’m grateful to Kirklanders of all demographics who reduce traffic congestion and help the environment by taking the bus. Raising bus fares is a burden that my two-worker household can’t bear.

Mr. Nixon does not understand that increased bus fares would far more severely impact households than this fee does.

Maybe he is more concerned about keeping his eight cars on the road than keeping bus routes that move hundreds of students, nurses, office assistants… and yes, doctors working in our hospital.

The King County Council, after input from cities and citizens, unanimously adopted a solution to preserve routes and fare levels and yes, a temporary $20 tab fee. They worked together as a collaborative group to craft a solution in the best interest of our region.

It was a statesmanlike choice and we should be very proud.

Mr. Nixon’s reaction? He withdrew his endorsement of Jane Hague and asked others to follow suit. That kind of reaction is why the “other” Washington can’t get its work done and why Nixon is the wrong choice for Kirkland.

Jessica Greenway is supported by environmental groups, the Seattle Transit Blog, and by my household.

Please re-elect Jessica Greenway.

Adam White, Finn Hill elementary school teacher