WHOM DO YOU TRUST?In Dubuque, as well as 25 other communities around IOWA, there will be a referendum on the election ballot this coming Tuesday, November 8th. One of these referenda in particular deals with whether or not a city should create its own government-owned communications utility to compete with private providers.
City support for the referendum is particularly curious in Dubuque, where the City recently negotiated an unprecedented 15-year franchise agreement with Mediacom. Some of the items include:
A $300,000 annual updating investment fund to guarantee ongoing financial investment to keep Mediacom's fiber network at the leading edge of broadband technology.
Expanding the network capability from 750 MHz to an 860 MHz system that will support the needs of future business and residential services.
Connecting more than 75 sites with an upgraded I-Net which is a private, city-managed network. This will provide all government offices in Dubuque (police, fire, city hall, county offices, all schools, and private institutions designated to assist in emergency situations) with an integrated communication system.
Because of these and other insightful franchise items, Dubuque's residents and businesses will benefit from this commitment and more without RISKING ONE RED CENT OF THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.
But all of this is in jeopardy unless the citizens of Dubuque VOTE NO on Tuesday, November 8th regarding the referendum.
First of all, it could take up to $80,000,000 (that's right, Million) or more to build a fiber network to compete with the private sector. This information is based on the city's own feasibility study.
Secondly, do the citizens of Dubuque feel IT IS A RISK putting an $80,000,000 decision in the hands of the 5 APPOINTED individuals on the local utilities board?
Thirdly, why should the taxpaying voters of Dubuque support such a RISKY VENTURE when there is already a well-working system in place that includes competition?
And fourth, what does the City Council of Dubuque plan on doing with the $7,000,000 (yes that's 7 Million) in franchise fees they have already collected from Mediacom? I know at least one city employee who thinks they should use some of it to pay for city workers' benefits, not cut them like is proposed. And that is exactly the type of place the money can be used.
Of utmost importance on the Dubuque ballot is the WORDING OF THE REFERENDUM. It leaves no opportunity for a follow-up referendum that would give the public a voice on how much tax they will be assessed.
The Opportunity Dubuque organization says that the election is about "protecting our rights", but the ballot language is so poorly written that some feel it actually takes rights away.
The Mediacom employees in Dubuque give not only their expertise on the job, but also tremendous time and money to the surrounding communities in which they live.
Even the Des Moines Register's editorial board in their November 4th edition says "…the better vote is no…In general, government has no business competing with business. It should only step in when business fails to deliver goods or services. Private-sector providers, led by Mediacom Communications, say they've invested millions to upgrade broadband networks to better serve IOWANS and are prepared to invest millions more…"
Other cities with the utility/telecommunications question on the ballot are:
Ackley, Altoona, Anamosa, Asbury, Carlisle, Charles City, Clarinda, Cresco, Glenwood, Hampton, Hiawatha, Hudson, Iowa Falls, Lansing, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marion, Mason City, Norwalk, Parkersburg, Vinton, Waterloo, Waukon, West Union, and Windsor Heights.
So, let's keep things as they are. We employees of Mediacom do not want to loose our jobs, but we also feel people should not be unduly taxed.
Molly Regan is an employee of Mediacom.
This Week in Media
The Adventures of Scooter, Sneaky, Skipper, Snapper, Snoopy and Ernest
