Broadband Revisited

Kudos to Heidi Rodeback, who at the Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidates meeting tonight nailed the broadband question. She was the only 4 year candidate (the question was only raised to those candidates) who articulated with researched knowledge, the short and long term benefits of the broadband network which coincides with my position, in sum:

1. Broadband as a public utility is an investment in infrastructure and in our future.
2. The fiber the city owns (a valuable asset) can be leased/sold for a revenue stream.
3. Sunk costs are sunk costs. (again an investment)
4. The broadband is helping with economic development (comment: I personally know of several businesses who have relocated here because of our system).
5. We need to look to the future and look at the entire picture.
6. IProvo's system is doing well and is a model to follow.
7. Increased marketing (with businesses) and executing a well formulated business plan will make the system  profitable.
8. Adjustments such as a tiered fee approach would be beneficial (ie. a lower fee for seniors who only check email compared to someone who downloads and uploads massively).
9. Continued exploration of public - private partnerships.
10. It will assist in public safety allowing for video arraignments and providing the last link  to Salt Lake County