After 18 years on the Ferry Advisory Committee, Ed Sutton has stepped down.

“It was time,” said Sutton, who lives on Orcas. “After a while you get worn down. As you get older you get tired of battling.”

Sutton said he got involved in the ferry system around 1978 and was part of the group that helped introduce express boats, inter-island ferry runs and the commercial loading program.

“We really did something that was worthwhile,” he said.

In the future, Sutton hopes to see employees of Washington State Ferries’ planning department personally visit the San Juans to talk with FAC members about scheduling and community needs.

“The FAC isn’t part of the planning process; we’re just asked to comment,” he said.

Sutton noted that Initiative 695, approved by voters statewide in 1999, was a key blow to WSF’s ability to serve the San Juans.

“I-695 really screwed up the ferries’ ability to serve … The whole system has been struggling for 10 years to compensate,” he said.

Sutton is currently president of the ViewHaven Homeowners’ Association and will serve on the county charter review commission, the WSTC’s advisory committee on tariff review, and the Eastsound Sewer and Water District Board.

San Juan County officials are seeking a resident of Orcas to replace Sutton on the FAC.

“The ideal candidate is someone who is interested in ferries, works well as part of a group with diverse interests and priorities, and is able to spend the required time,” said Jim Corenman, co-chairman of the advisory group.

The committee meets monthly, or more frequently if special meetings are required. To apply for a position on the FAC or other county citizen advisory groups, visit www.sanjuanco.com.