LeBaronLogic

2nd Blogiversary

It's in the numbers:

2  - years of blogging . . .

200 - posts . . .

11,893 - page views since inception . . .

62 - comments published . . .

16.23 - average views per day . . .

All a part of my therapy and hopefully some helpful American Fork City items, with a smattering of sports, law stuff and a little random ramblings of life's little lessons. It has been a joy. Thank you for visiting and hey, a comment here or there would be great too. I know I am not the greatest blogger, writer or for that matter of anything, but we will try some new things as we enter the 3rd year which should be interesting on several fronts.

Upward and Onward and Live Long and Prosper

One year Blogiversary

Well, it has been a year today since the birth of LeBaronLogic (a name given by my 22 year old techno son Justin). It has been a trip. I enjoy writing about various things. I appreciate those of you who read and comment and those who just read. It has also helped me keep in touch with my constituents in AF, updated you on my Scorch basketball team (even out of area people check our progress), law issues and some personal quips. And now for the second year......hey, isnt "paper" the gift for the 1 year anniversary? Maybe some spitwads or paper airplanes are in order.

Broadband Rewind

Former City Councilman Keith Blake sent me the following email, which I post in its entirety with permission. Keith has expertise in this area and was a colleague on the council. The following represents some interesting philosophical reasoning.

Here are two links to articles on Utopia.  It is worth contacting Utopia again and seeing their current interest and capability in either ‘partnering’ with the city, or potentially buying or operating the network.  Utopia is still receiving some high level press.

http://www.midwestbusiness.com/news/viewnews.asp?newsletterID=15041

Also see below, (which includes a discussion of the role/responsibility of municipalities to protect against the challenges of commercial ‘monopolies’ of information infrastructures.  If one commercial entity controlled all of our streets and roads and could charge a toll for using any of the roads, at a price they can change and set solely at their will, what would be the impact on our community?  The analogy is that roads should be public infrastructure and that the control of physical access to public places is comparable to information access to the public internet/web.  See the CNN link below for a good discussion on this topic.)

Thursday Buzz Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

UTOPIA Solves 'Net Neutrality' The hottest public policy debate in the high-tech world is over “net neutrality,” which pits big Internet companies like Google and Amazon.com against big telecommunications companies like Qwest and Comcast.  The Internet companies want Congress to prevent the telecommunications firms that own the networks going into homes and businesses, from charging extra for large data files sent over the Internet. The telecommunications companies want the ability to charge content providers like Google and Amazon.com fees for giving their Internet content higher priority so it gets to the customer faster. The justification is that downloads of large data files like movies, for example, take up more space on their networks. The extra charges would likely be passed on to the customer. Currently, the telecom firms charge ISPs and consumers higher rates for higher bandwidth connections, but they don’t get additional fees for large data file traffic. “Net neutrality” advocates say allowing telecom firms to charge more for quicker downloads would give them too much power and would set up a two-tiered Internet system with wealthy content providers having an advantage over small Web sites that may not be able to pay higher fees. Both sides make valid points (for more on net neutrality see this CNN.com article). But the UTOPIA open network model solves the problem without additional regulation by simply giving consumers the choice of several service providers, creating competition among the ISPs and the incentive to keep charges low. Consumers can choose the best service at the lowest cost. If one service provider charges extra for large downloads, consumers can choose another. The free market will determine who wins. Where consumers don’t have a choice, or it is difficult to switch from one provider to another, they will be stuck with whatever charges are passed on to them. Good Times for Economic Development With a project load more than double that of three years ago, the Economic Development Corporation (EDCUTAH) reports that its project pipeline is filled with companies looking at Utah as a place to grow and expand. This week’s issue of the Economic Review has the full story on EDCUTAH’s project load, its wins, pending announcements, and losses. Click here to read the full story.

Broadband Redux Part II or (Are we throwing the baby out with the bathwater?)

Our neighbors in Cedar Hills are talking about us.......with regard to our AFCnet. It is interesting to "listen" in or even "eaves-tech drop" (new word).  Also there is an interesting article in IEEE Spectrum, which is a good read (article may require log in which is free). Which presupposes.......Are we doing the right thing here? There are some who also think that "surplussing" the system devalues it in the private sector.  If you were "king" for a day or two or maybe even three,  what would you do with AFCnet? Before answering, check out this USA Today article (with mention of iProvo's system) on why it is important for cities to build their own high speed internet (I know its a 2004 article, but it's still "timely"). Also, PBS is planning on doing a feature on iProvo's high speed internet as reported by the Herald. What is UTOPIA'S role or potential in all of this? Inquiring minds want to know!

City Broadband Redux I

Last night American Fork City held a Broadband Public Hearing for input and discussion on the proposal to declare the system, hardware and some fiber surplus; thereby enabling the City to send out RFPs (Requests for Proposals) to interested parties "for sale, lease or other legal disposition" for all or a part of the city owned Broadband system. Personally, I am an advocate and user of AFCNet, but as you will see a Realist as well. The following is the skinny, the low-down, the inside scoop, the ______________ (insert your own term).  The minutes will be posted soon on www.afcity.org. See also a related article in the Herald today :

• The overwhelming majority of the attendees were Broadband supporters, including some current ISPs and former ones. They, including some residents expressed concerns that any action to dispose of the Broadband was premature, not well thought out and that marketing fiber to businesses was the answer. There was some good and as usual some not so good discussion (but isnt that what Public Hearings are supposed to be....Free Speech at its finest, right?)
• Unfortunately, that Tech Train has left the station some time ago and practically speaking, the shortfalls cannot be made up, in spite of the pleas of some residents last night to give it more time. The estimated numbers just don't add up, (stay tuned for more on this with future postings), suffice it to say, there are some council members that want answers as to why we are in the state we are in.
• In the later Council mtg, the Council voted unanimously to declare the system, hardware and some fiber as surplus. We also authorized staff to prepare an RFP (Request for Proposals) to "purchase, lease, or other legal disposition" of the surplus property. NOTE: Surplus does not mean excess property, junk or unwanted property. It is a statutory requirement enabling us to put out to bid the items in question. It will provide a great opportunity to see what the system is worth on the market.
• Our RFP has some stipulations, including but not limited to: 1. That the city has first right of refusal in case of a resale proposal; 2. There be a seamless transition, (no interruption of service); 3. That there be citywide buildout; 4. That ISP contracts be honored; 5. That Broadband city employees be hired; 6. That the fees be fixed for 1 year (we were uncertain whether to set a ceiling or floor for fees), but may allow the market to dictate price. There may be other provisions set out in any sales and/or lease agreement.
• IMPORTANT......THE COUNCIL MAY REJECT ALL BIDS, THUS RETAINING OWNERSHIP. WE CAN THEN ENHANCE THE SYSTEM AND AGRESSIVELY MARKET THE FIBER TO BUSINESSES.

Reality is......we are facing a potential 35% property tax hike and a water bond election, both may be necessary for the city.  We do have 2.5 million in reserves, which begs the question; "How much in reserve do we need?" Query: How can we justify to the citizens the need for a secondary irrigation water system bond, increase in property taxes and continue to carry a yearly 1.2 mill. subsidy of the broadband?

Your comments, paradigm shifting thoughts and "out of the box" ideation are encouraged and welcomed.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces addition of RSS

The Church has announced the addition of RSS, Newsroom sometimes known as Really Simple Syndication, which is a popular means of sharing regularly updated content (such as news headlines) without requiring readers to constantly visit a Web site to see what's new. RSS "feeds," or summaries, contain titles, short descriptions, and hyperlinks to longer articles or Web pages, as well as a linked reference back to the originating site. Links in RSS feeds are updated automatically. For more information and how to subscribe click here.

American Fork and UTOPIA

American Fork is selling 16% of its fiber optic network to UTOPIA  for 1.5 million dollars as reported by the Daily Herald:

Both parties will sign a contract on Monday, said Paul Morris, executive director of UTOPIA.

In 2002, American Fork purchased nearly 60 miles of fiber between Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork from SwitchPoint for $6 million to use as part of a high-speed broadband system. The city floated a bond to pay for the system.

Money from the sale to UTOPIA will allow the city to upgrade its network, said Councilman Keith Blake.

"It will create some funding for the city," he said. "It can provide better service if that money goes into the network."

Morris said UTOPIA decided to buy the American Fork fiber as part of its work to bring service to Payson residents.

UTOPIA is made up of 14 Utah cities. The conglomerate was created to build a municipally run fiber-optic network that provides high-speed Internet, phone and video services to homes and businesses, including Orem, Lindon, Payson and Cedar Hills. Of the original 18 cities, 11 remain and have pledged tax revenues to support part of the $340 million in bonds needed to build the network.

Construction is under way on the first phase of UTOPIA to serve 50,000 homes and businesses in seven cities including Orem, Lindon, Murray, Midvale, West Valley and Payson. Phase one is expected to be completed by early 2006. Daily Herald

This is a good move for American Fork and has been in the works for weeks. It gives us badly needed revenue as well as helping complete the network which will be an asset to the entire valley. I hope we can parlay this into bigger things.

Spanish Fork's Model for Broadband Success

The Spanish Fork Model as outlined in the Deseret News, is suggestive of a redirected approach to American Fork's Broadband system, to wit:

• Marketing, Marketing and more Marketing (especially to commercial and governmental entities.)
• 100% availability to the residents.
• Use of the citywide fiber-optic system keying the city's residential and economic development.
• Using the network in educating the workforce.
• Using broadband to promote community involvement and governmental innovation through the network.
• Providing free wireless access in the city's public parks (a novel idea!!!)

All of the above is the Intelligent Community Forum's criteria for being among the world's "Smart 21 Communities." (ICF is an international organization that promotes the use of broadband technology in community development.)

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

LeBaronLogic.com

I have made a few changes to LeBaronLogic. I have created a new domain . . . LeBaronLogic.com. This will help remembering and accessing LeBaronLogic easier. Let me know if you have any difficulties.