[RTC List] Local Broadband Stimulus Money

Thu May 7 11:18:34 PDT 2009

As of this morning HAF is planning an open meeting with RTC for the 12th. That's right, almost overnight. We are looking for a place (our facilities are booked) and a couple hour time slot that does not interfere with the activities around broadband associates that I hear are happening that day. I will send more information this afternoon. I am on a two hour conference call. I will address the enormous amount of misinformation that is flowing around.

________________________________
From: Larry Goldberg [mailto:larry at northcoast.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:56 AM
To: Bob Morse
Cc: Rick Blanchard; list at redwoodtech.org
Subject: Re: [RTC List] Local Broadband Stimulus Money

Bob,

I forgot who is on the Board of Directors of the RTC, but given what has transpired over the past week, I am formally requesting the following:

I hereby request a special meeting be held by the RTC to receive public input specifically about the use of public funds for broadband projects and how projects should be selected and prioritized.  This meeting should take place prior to the scheduled luncheon (I propose within the next two weeks) and be publicly noticed to invite all community members to attend and participate.  I request the RTC prepare and adopt a position on how publicly funded broadband projects should be selected and, if possible, identify key technical issues hampering widespread broadband usage in our region.  Our position should be reported to elected representatives at appropriate public meetings prior to selection of projects for stimulus money.

It's time to stand up and be counted.  RTC board - please do what you were elected to do - represent our interests and step up to this challenge.

On May 7, 2009, at 10:13 AM, Bob Morse wrote:

It's odd that RTC had to hear of this plan after the horse was out of the barn. Perhaps others were in the loop, but I sure wasn't. I think part of the problem, though, may be finding a consensus among RTC members as to what the RTC stance on this and similar projects is. As you can tell from the the posts on this list, there are widely varying opinions.

Rick Blanchard wrote:
I agree as well however, why was the RTC established if not to present ideas and expertise to the decision makers in our area. This area has gone too long with the "good old boy" mentality and the reason I joined the RTC was in hope to lend my experience and ideas. If the experience and expertise of the RTC Members go unnoticed or unheard, why have a consortium? To just talk between the members? Perhaps all of us can come up with a presentation to give to the County, City and Local Government Agencies which would allow us the opportunity to attend meetings about local development and input our thoughts and opinions. After all, in the areas of technology, our members are the local experts.

Rick Blanchard
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike<mailto:mike-redwoodtech at tiedyenetworks.com>
Cc: list at redwoodtech.org<mailto:list at redwoodtech.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:50 AM
Subject: Re: [RTC List] Local Broadband Stimulus Money

Larry & all:

Yeah, what you said. I've been watching this shape up and I don't like
it one bit. We would benefit from participating in the larger efforts
and in particular would find it useful to have funding or access to
grant writing services and consultants to get that polished final
product ready when the grants are opened up, but nobody I have
communicated with (and who is 'in' on this process) seems to be willing
to do that. There is that single minded mindset like "this is just what
we're going to do and sorry you've busted your ass for 7 years here, now
the money has arrived we don't need you anymore...".

To be sure, since we're not invited to the party, we're simply going to
pitch rus/ntia directly. I don't think there is anyone in mendocino
county that knows the situation here better or who has _demonstrated_,
funding or not, the impetus and resourcefulness to actually go after the
problems here and build a viable business out of it anyways. I think
this raises the likelyhood that any grants received will result in
sustainable business, as opposed to big expensive fiber to nowhere
that's fine until the money runs out and it's all dark and does nothing
for nobody.

Mike-

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