We all lived through COVID and learned the lessons of how a good internet connection (or lack thereof) made two classes of citizens----those who could work and have their kids attend school virtually--and those who could not.
And not because of price. Because of availability.
Escambia County has broad swaths of areas where the citizens have no good broadband accessibility, and investing ARPA funds in providing this (in conjunction with private providers and their investment and buy-in) is a good investment for citizens, our communities, our county and our region.
Some citizens think that utilization of ARPA funds for this purpose is reckless. I disagree.
MANY counties around the nation are utilizing portion(s) of their ARPA funds to increase accessibility to quality, high-speed internet for underserved communities.
Placer County and San Diego County in California and Hamilton County Ohio are each spending $10 Million from ARPA for broadband accessibility. Onondaga County New York is spending $15 Million in ARPA funds for the same purpose--to address the "digital divide" within their community.
El Paso County, Colorado, Franklin County Ohio, Travis County, Texas, and Washington DC are all utilizing some portion(s) of their ARPA funding allocations to achieve strategic investments in broadband accessibility for their citizens.
Lots of other counties are doing likewise---a list which is soon to include Escambia County, Florida
So if you run into someone who does not know what is going on, is rather clueless on what's happening around the country in multiple jurisdictions regarding ARPA funding utilization statutes and regulations and ARPA expenditur for broadband infrastructure expansion---make sure you tell them to do some basic research on these specific topics: 1.) the allowable uses of ARPA funds, and 2.) how Escambia County is FAR FROM being an OUTLIER in this form of community investment utilizing ARPA funding.
Many of the negative perceptions on this strategic planning/investment Escambia is working toward come from "individuals" and "group thinkers" who have no idea what is actually happening outside their own home, street, and online chat groups--let alone the rest of the country.
Hopefully they'll find the time to figure out it isn't uncommon to do what we are going to do.
Probably not, some of them.
20 comments:
No one that I know of is doubting the importance of doing the broadband project Jeff. You deflect the real question again. There is money in the Federal infrastructure package specifically for broadband use. Why didn’t we get those funds which would free up ARP funds for other uses in the county??
Well, going to knock the new D2 for saying he didn't have time to read about this because he just turned on his computer an hour and a half ago prior to this special meeting. It was on the agenda when he he got sworn in and it's been discussed in meetings. Didn't need his vote but pleading ignorance isn't going to fly.
Even LD Jr knew the timelines for ARPA.
There was lots of info on the links attached to the agenda prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
I get the emails, maybe he should sign up.
Such an important initiative--this will be one of the most important legacies of the four commissioners who have backed and planned it. It was pretty amazing to watch the culmination of the two years research and deep dive Commissioner Barry has done at this point...from a starting point of "I don't know how we're going to do it, and it's going to be difficult, but we've got to figure it out--I've to figure it out" to his command of the subject yesterday. It's sad that our new commissioner didn't understand the importance of supporting this infrastructure, but hopefully he'll get up to speed on a project that has been discussed in depth at public meetings for two years now. "I'm so honored and lucky with the timing to be able to vote with you all, and be a part of bringing this essential service to the residents of Escambia" would have of course been the appropriate response. Thinking he could abstain from a vote was a pretty clear indicator that he doesn't have the basics down yet of how business gets conducted on the dais--and the legality of it--so perhaps now the holding court period could come to an end and real hard work of his learning curve could start.
Please, please consider getting hard numbers--maps and estimates--of how to get the entire rest of the County covered, Commissioner Bergosh. Of course that will take a ton of money, but there is federal grant money right now for that sort of thing. Rather than try to determine which areas are unserved and underserved and target those, why not just try to do everybody? Let Cox come to the table on running fiber to ALL the houses and how much it would cost and how willing they are to do it. Because of course the way they roll now is run it where they want to, and cheaply, quote outrageous prices for others, or refuse to do it at all. There is no reason that either Cox or ATT (if they have any interest) can't compete on an RFP to run fiber *everywhere*. And it should cost relatively less for either company, since they already have the infrastructure in place, right? If they won't do it, then let the other companies compete for running it themselves. Because as pleasant as the Cox reps have been at the podium, their service is crap, and they know it. Let them compete for the rest of the County and see what they can and will actually deliver. Because what's implicit in this discussion is that they have NOT delivered where they have the ability to, or we wouldn't even be having this discussion of how to get better internet in areas they already service.
I know we are trying to move away from negativity but seeing Underhill type that Kohler said to him he couldn't support it and Underhill saying Stoberger said he thought he should vote to go along demonstrates Kohler needs to get out of that mindset that ECW And Underhill going to Marlette tried to visit upon us. JAR calling Barry Boss and such is just ridiculous nonsense.
So as far as watching the meeting it went well for the rest of you. Barry definitely did his homework and chosing EREC seemed like a good move.
Kohler might also need to be told if he is still going to use a facebook page to invite people to meetings, he needs to unblock them.
I seem to recall north of $15 million being allocated for this project. Since we are spending 6 million, where’s the other 9 going?
Commissioner Barry is very deliberate. Voting to waive the blackout period and voting the commissioners to be the selection committee was definitely a smart move. Experience in public service and knowledge of the processes is noted. He covers his bases and put a lot of thought into getting from point A to point B.
He seldom gets into conflict and argues, that leaves him free to accomplish initiatives.
Having EREC, a member owned partner was a win win, for one, they cover the most underserved areas and are a co operative. Their initiative aligned with the will of the board.
He is very professional, although doesn't always explain himself but one knows he really is down to earth .. example explaining the difference between unserved and underserved. I guess if you know you have no internet and have to get yourself to a library prior to a health care televisit is actually better than sitting down at an appointed time and not being able to connect.
I agree with Melissa on this. We'll said.
Good job Board. Interesting meeting.
So PNJ has to cover this negatively through the lens of the Cox rep,
While now other areas are now suddenly commenting."What about me?" "I want it too" funny.
The PIO should have had an article ready to go, published at the close of the meeting highlighting the story rather than let a reporter who likes clicks and conflict write it through the lens of one speaking at the podium.
People will read a headline them skip to the comments.
I’ll concede immediately that I have not researched this issue in-depth.
So, please clarify a few facts for the concerned citizens of Escambia County who still cling to the old fashioned notion that money represents hard work and sacrifice. In my world, money is not “FREE” - even money transferred to us from the federal government. Money should not be squandered.
Am I correct that this project is estimated to cost $24 million? Is that the upper limit, or is that simply an early estimate?
Precisely how many citizens will receive broadband service as a result of our $24 million dollar expenditure?
Is the QUALITY of this hugely expensive proposed internet service guaranteed?
Technology is continuously advancing. My understanding is that the unfortunate people of Ukraine are presently receiving internet service despite constant Russian attacks targeting the Ukrainian infrastructure. By what method is internet service being provided in Ukraine? Is that service being relayed through satellites? Might Escambia County benefit from investigating our available alternatives?
Are there less costly, more practical means to provide internet service to the north end of Escambia County?
Commissioner Barry has demonstrated that he is decidedly pro-development. It seems that allocating millions of dollars towards infrastructure improvements in the north end of Escambia County might encourage more development.
Do the citizens in those rural areas FAVOR accelerating development?
Commissioner Barry has lost my confidence. I watched his recent Town Hall - many of his statements in that Town Hall were unintelligible. For example; when multiple constituents pleaded with Barry to halt development; Mr. Barry explained to them that development was outside of his control, and that development was simply a function of the Federal Reserve’s easy monetary policy.
Barry went on to say that he was supporting development as a means to “combat inflation”.
At commission meetings, Barry has threatened to withhold Escambia County services to Pensacola Beach. Mr. Barry said that the Santa Rosa Island Authority should “figure it out.”
Escambia County only barely returns half of the ad valorem tax revenues paid by the leaseholders back to Pensacola Beach. And much of that money is allocated to our county park.
Jeff, Lumon, and Steven are clearly mismanaging Pensacola Beach. For example; in 2021 those three misappropriated a $3.3 million dollar FEMA grant which was awarded for sand replenishment on our PUBLIC beach.
This enormously expensive internet project should be better investigated before we move forward.
I applaud newly elected district 2 commissioner, Mike Kohler, for requesting more details on this expensive project. It’s possible that Mr. Kohler is our only prudent representative on the commission. It’s possible that three of our commissioners are too intimidated by three-term commissioner, Steven Barry.
Certainly, our representatives have made MANY poor decisions over the years. This proposal seems to have the potential of being yet another wasteful “boondoggle”.
Tom, here's the problem when you don't watch the meetings and take Jacqueline's word for anything. Mr. Kohler did not state that he was voting no because needed more information. He clearly stated he was voting no because he hadn't taken the time to read what had been distributed. He didn't make any bones about that, so at least he can be applauded for his candor that he simply wasn't up to speed.
learned to skip reading TJs ramblings. ^^^
Short and sweet for the attention deficient. Good comments.
https://ricksblog.biz/north-escambia-county-getting-high-speed-internet/
I forgot to mention that Mr. Barry has recently attempted to clawback hundreds of thousands of dollars from the citizens of Escambia County.
Apparently, Mr. Barry regrets the choice that he made when choosing his retirement plan, and for some reason he scapegoated county staff and the great citizens of Escambia County for his own gaffe.
There were only two retirement program choices available, and Mr. Barry’s occupation is personal financial advisor.
Further, he is currently in his THIRD term as county commissioner, and he enjoys a three-person voting majority with commissioners May and Bergosh. So, it would seem to this citizen that Mr. Barry should accept some responsibility for ALL of Escambia County’s programs including our retirement program.
It is questionable whether or not the 401a program is ethical. It appears to be outrageously generous. So much so that our honorable Madam Clerk has felt compelled to restrict the payout.
I don’t understand how Mr. Barry could blame our great citizens for his own past decisions. That is simply one example of how Mr. Barry has lost my confidence.
Mr. Kohler is being criticized for voting NO on this expensive internet scheme. He represents the great citizens of Escambia County. If he is not convinced that this $24 million dollar expenditure is wise, then the only responsible course of action was to vote NO.
This scheme is potentially so incredibly lucrative that multiple private companies are vying for a piece of this tasty “pie”. And Escambia County has deviated from our conventional bidding process in order to affect the outcome. Commissioner Barry claimed that he thinks that we will be alright from a legal standpoint. Not very comforting.
It seems that 21st century technology surely must offer a better method to provide internet to our citizens than to tear up miles and miles of our county in order to lay thousands of miles of fiber at a cost of $24 million dollars.
I’m concerned. And I question our leadership.
Yes for watching so many meetings, JAR is definitely a dull blade. No wonder Underhill saw he could take advantage of that situation.
Now she is going on about the one time annuity once again.
Tj went over to Kohler f/b page advising him. 🤣
The Mrs had said she was behind the page when it was Kohler elect.
Hope we aren't having a repeat performance of the past 8 years.
Mike Kohler has taken a lot of criticism for his NO vote. Mr. Kohler stated that he hadn’t had an opportunity to fully investigate this $24 million dollar expenditure.
We have had many, many boondoggles in Escambia County over the years. In fact, we likely still have former commissioners serving jail time.
It’s WAY too early to determine whether or not it is wise for us to spend $24 million to tear up Escambia County by laying thousands of miles of cable.
It is likely that newly elected Commissioner Kohler’s vote might well be justified.
Kohler’s rationale that he requires more information seems prudent and DIPLOMATIC - certainly he can count to three.
Commissioners Barry, May, and Bergosh have formed a voting alliance. They have controlled Escambia County for several years.
Further, in my opinion, they have demonstrated a spitefulness and a lack of maturity. - not 100% of the time, but enough.
I think that the time has come for our great citizens to shake things up. Commissioners Barry and May are presently serving their THIRD terms.
Three terms is questionable. A forth term would be obscene.
It’s time for Escambia County to turn the page. Past time, in fact.
Funny how Bergosh rails against any naysayers usually the same day as any negative comment is made. Ask a tough question and he ignores the question hoping it will go away.
For people asking the "tough" questions .. here is a freebie.
Go the the agenda, read the docs, go to Myescambia and watch the video of the meeting or go to Rick's Blog, link posted here for edification and see the county is using 6 M of the ARP, that needs to be spent by a deadline and EREC is to come up with the difference.
Here's your spoon.
Tom, d5, d3 and d1 will make that call. If we have a dufus running, I doubt we will elect them.
Anon 12:07, JAR has found herself in an interesting predicament with her latest opt out suit, which is a copy and paste mish mash of her previous losing suits.
Oh, what's that folks? You didn't know Jacqueline had brought the same tired crap all over again, using the same arguments that have been tossed and even scoffed at by previous judges?
Notice she hasn't broadcasted this one on ECW, but just slipped in a libelous statement about the County's experts that have previously torn her nonsense to shreds. Huh.
Is it because this one is literally in her back yard? Or is it because she is afraid she's going to lose it and doesn't want to look the fool?
Whatever the case, the County is FINALLY asking the judge if they can get the taxpayer dollars back on her "bad faith" BS if the ruling goes against her. She is very lucky the Westmarks didn't sue her to smithereens on theirs, as the judge rolled out the red carpet for them to do so. While their restraint was noble, DOAH needs to toss her out of that court system for being a vexatious litigant.
This has about as much to do with bringing internet to the underserved or unserved homes located Escambia County as your odds at Powerball [or doubting the odds Cox will not pursue judicial review against the commission’s decision.] It is about locking in a subsidized, diversified, long-term income revenue stream(s). I am curious to know if each of the 3000 or 4000 or _____ homes that are underserved or unserved homes stand to receive true FTTH, an end-to-end fiber optic connection, meaning the transmission of voice, video, and data traffic will not utilize any copper wireline infrastructure? So there will be no hybrid fiber-coaxial [HFC]? [if true FTTH, how? PON, GPON, XGS-PON?]. Barry?
Interesting Mel, thanks for the intel. One can type the term "Opt out" in a search engine and see it is legal and legit.
808 geek, Barry can't answer here. FL statute 286.
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