This thread discusses the Content article: Foundation calls for iProvo sell-off

Let us all remember, when election time comes around, that our very own Mayor Billings, along with the city council voted for this boondoggle.

Let us remember that it was Mayor Billings that promised that once we hit the 10,000 mark, that it would start to pay off.

Let us remember, that it was these very people, whom chose to commit OUR sales tax money to back this boondoggle if or when it failed to make money.

Does anyone really care whether it has lost $9.5 mil - or $10 mil? Anyone - other than Mayor Billings, of course?

The city has thus far refused to release details of its plan, saying it is a complicated process.

Is it "complicated" because Mayor Billings doesn't have a Bachelor Degree in subject?

WatchDog wrote:
This thread discusses the Content article: Foundation calls for iProvo sell-off

Let us all remember, when election time comes around, that our very own Mayor Billings, along with the city council voted for this boondoggle.

Let us remember that it was Mayor Billings that promised that once we hit the 10,000 mark, that it would start to pay off.

Let us remember, that it was these very people, whom chose to commit OUR sales tax money to back this boondoggle if or when it failed to make money.

Does anyone really care whether it has lost $9.5 mil - or $10 mil? Anyone - other than Mayor Billings, of course?
Cheer up, WatchDog. Up here in Ogden, we have little "Matty" Godfrey as mayor. He is really something, I'll tell you that. But because I really can't say anything nice about him, I won't say anything.

The simple fact: Cities evaporate when unable to provide the fundamental infrastructure for business. We live in an information society. Telecommunications bandwidth is the fundamental infrastructure.

Qwest and Comcast Would Not provide what we needed because they couldn't justify the expense. (Maybe because they pay the Qwest CEO Seventeen Million a year.) Hence iProvo.

iProvo and UTOPIA are having start up difficulties - due to obstructive legislation foisted on Utah by Qwest and Comcast. But without the competition of iProvo, I would still be waiting for broadband capacity here in Northeast Provo.

Few Utahns are aware that a second generation internet is being launched this summer. It's called "the Grid" and it's TEN THOUSAND TIMES FASTER than the world wide web. The Grid is a pure data network that runs exclusively on dedicated Fiber Optic Cables; not on a hodge podge of copper wires, cables, and switches designed decades ago to carry phone calls.

iProvo and Utopia are pre-wired to connect our homes and businesses to the coming Ultra-Net. How long will Comcast and Qwest subscribers have to wait for ultra bandwidth? FOR-EV-ER. God bless Provo'S foresight! Give iProvo and UTOPIA time. Do not be penny wise and pound foolish.

Of course we care! Five hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money. But it's nothing compared to the losses sustained by the community when a major company like Word Perfect goes out of business because they can't get the bandwidth they need to compete. Fiber optic cable is crucial to Utah County and Qwest and Comcast really don't care. For them it's all about the short term money. We live here. We are in it for the long haul.

John Locke wrote:
Of course we care! Five hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money. But it's nothing compared to the losses sustained by the community when a major company like Word Perfect goes out of business because they can't get the bandwidth they need to compete. Fiber optic cable is crucial to Utah County and Qwest and Comcast really don't care. For them it's all about the short term money. We live here. We are in it for the long haul.

John,
You really need a better example than the failure of WP to use! What happened in their case has NO comparison with this issue. I know, I was there.

Consider this:

In a venture like IProvo, or building another stadium even, if there is a profit to be made, we have enough venture capitalists out there to take on the project, or to get together and do so.

IF, on the other hand, there is no profit to be made via these schemes, then our taxpayers should not be getting stuck by some bozos (or group thereof) who decide that they have a right to squander taxpayer money.

I am not arguing whether fiber is a good thing - or not. I am speaking strickly of financial responsibility of government officials.

How much was our present national debt again? Please consider that number!