The Observation Deck

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has remind me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

But if the pandemic year has taught us anything, it's the importance of good wi-fi internet connections and the equipment to use it. Once we are clear of COVID-19, we must make getting everyone connected a priority, and those who can afford it should upgrade.

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has remind me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

The Biden administration has admonished local governments receiving American Rescue Plan funding to use it specifically for improving broadband access. I am hopeful we make this a priority in Lakewood.

Dan OMalley wrote:

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has remind me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

The Biden administration has admonished local governments receiving American Rescue Plan funding to use it specifically for improving broadband access. I am hopeful we make this a priority in Lakewood.

Dan

The Observer not only studied this but had a plan, using St. James, the Library and St. Cyril. There would have been enough coverage for the city. We also looked at creating bubble with COX, that would have given Lakewood FREE wireless corridors in 2008. But the Mayor Ed FitzGerald said, "I got this, we will make it happen."

Of course when City Hall gets involved, everything slows down.

Today in 2021, our coverage is a joke, the city;s website is a joke, and we continue to fall behind the rest of the county, even with some of the highest taxes.

Dan, perhaps for a year or so, City Council could pretend residents are as important as bars. Just a thought.

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Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has reminded me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

I am not suggesting at all that the City of Lakewood has any responsibility to mitigate this disparity.

My primary concern in this thread is a prompt return to ordinary statutory open meetings and open proceedings available to all members of the public.

I was most chagrined to read that the meeting in June on the new storm-sewer user fees was not going to be a public meeting, but would be "virtual".

About 55% of residents do not have sufficient technology to even participate..."virtually".

Mark Kindt wrote:

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has reminded me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

I am not suggesting at all that the City of Lakewood has any responsibility to mitigate this disparity.

My primary concern in this thread is a prompt return to ordinary statutory open meetings and open proceedings available to all members of the public.

I was most chagrined to read that the meeting in June on the new storm-sewer user fees was not going to be a public meeting, but would be "virtual".

About 55% of residents do not have sufficient technology to even participate..."virtually".

Those of us that use this technology on a daily professional basis also know that it has regular unpredictable glitches.

Mark Kindt wrote:

Mark Kindt wrote:

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has reminded me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

I am not suggesting at all that the City of Lakewood has any responsibility to mitigate this disparity.

My primary concern in this thread is a prompt return to ordinary statutory open meetings and open proceedings available to all members of the public.

I was most chagrined to read that the meeting in June on the new storm-sewer user fees was not going to be a public meeting, but would be "virtual".

About 55% of residents do not have sufficient technology to even participate..."virtually".

Those of us that use this technology on a daily professional basis also know that it has regular unpredictable glitches.

Related to the other topic, I would say that a powerful learning from the pandemic is the need to upgrade tech systems and equipment for the City, its residents and the school system and its students. (As referenced here by Dan O'Malley.)

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Dan OMalley wrote:

Mark Kindt wrote:A friend has remind me that only some residents of Lakewood have reliable broadband internet access. Most don't.

The Biden administration has admonished local governments receiving American Rescue Plan funding to use it specifically for improving broadband access. I am hopeful we make this a priority in Lakewood.

Dan
The Observer not only studied this but had a plan, using St. James, the Library and St. Cyril. There would have been enough coverage for the city. We also looked at creating bubble with COX, that would have given Lakewood FREE wireless corridors in 2008. But the Mayor Ed FitzGerald said, "I got this, we will make it happen."

Of course when City Hall gets involved, everything slows down. Today in 2021, our coverage is a joke, the city;s website is a joke, and we continue to fall behind the rest of the county, even with some of the highest taxes.

Dan, perhaps for a year or so, City Council could pretend residents are as important as bars. Just a thought.

Bars have campaign cash. Those with lousy internet connectivity typically do not.