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cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

1 recommendation

cdru to 25139889

MVM

to 25139889

Re: Broke or not broke

said by 25139889:

Would you rather see these towns become bankrupted and rittled with debt do to trying to run their own networks?

Isn't that for the town's citizens and leaders to decide the financial viability? Not someone at the state level who knows nothing of the details nor even would give them a chance to consider and/or vote?

That is what would happen and people on this website could careless. Because why? We want 1gig/1gig internet for FREE and its a RIGHT. Right? Oh of course.

There are numerous examples of cities that have successfully implemented systems. There are also that have failed. But again, you're not even giving the chance.

Maybe you should write how these towns actually do end up not making anything;

Nor should they. My town delivers our water and sewer service and is self supporting through rates and the issuing of bonds. The revenue that they raise should support the service but not make a profit. And it's as such.

Oddly enough, the city also has it's own power power plant that operated from the early 20th century until the mid 60s, originally started as there wasn't a commercial operator to supply power at the time. Indiana-Michigan Power (I&M), now part of AEP, later came in and decided to operate their distribution system side by side on many of the same poles. In the mid 70s, the city shut down their system and leased their power infrastructure to I&M for 35 years allowing I&M to use the infrastructure but had to maintain it all and the city owned any improvements, transformers, etc after paying original cost at the end of the lease. The city and AEP just recently concluded that lease and AEP outright purchasing the assets for about $40m.

The above is exactly how things should work. The needs of the area were not being served by a commercial entity. The city successfully stepped in an provided that service for years until the situation changed in which case the city providing the service was no longer needed and successfully leased and/or sold the assets allowing the city to profit and/or recoup their investment.

and the problems they face trying to get into the market.

What market? There is no market. That's why the cities are trying to develop the systems.

And how bonds paid for BY the TAX PAYERS actually foot these bills and that even some 90year old couple has to pay for the services.

That 90 year old couple if they own property pays for schools, but they don't have kids that attend them. They pay for parks, zoos, and green spaces, but don't walk around in them. They pay for roads and stoplights and street signs, but may not drive. They pay for long term community development, but will probably not live to see the effects of things currently being discussed.

And even if the a private company came in and wired up the town, ultimately it's everyone that pays one way or another in the end.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

1 recommendation

Kearnstd

Premium Member

said by cdru:

Isn't that for the town's citizens and leaders to decide the financial viability? Not someone at the state level who knows nothing of the details nor even would give them a chance to consider and/or vote?

Sad thing is even with voting, the corps would still challenge it and tie it up on court because for some reason our legal system allows people with enough money to challenge the will of the citizens.