(Sorry..I'm on digest so I respond once a day)
Since Broadband only services Warwick residents, it is reasonable to say that
when Warwick's population decreases, Broadband customers will too. So my
question is, "Would Broadband still be able to make the proposed loan payment
amount if it had half the customers?
If broadband currently operates at a 30-40k surplus annually and the loan
amount is 240k and the interest at 1 or 2% then how exactly could that possibly
be paid off in 5 years? A 0% interest loan would take at least 6 years with us
throwing 40k at it annually. At 30k, that would be 8 years. Again - at no
interest and that's with the provision that Broadband loses no customers
through the loan period to retain its current profit margin. Is there a loan
match or a grant or reserves involved that I missed because the numbers aren't
adding up.
I personally support Warwick on Broadband. I believe in anything that keeps
Warwick money in Warwick. But I don't see connectivity as an "us vs. them"
proposition. I have no need to shut out Time Warner or WiredWest because we
have Broadband or vice versa. I see it as an open market providing residents
with options of what works for them. But there are two issues that personally
give me pause when considering a loan :
1. Future Projections. Equipment needs constant upgrades (current situation
case in point) as technology advances. Will Broadband still pay for itself with
half the subscribers? Will it be able to afford future upgrades if there are
only 375 users? And who and how will this system be maintained when David is
not here? Do most Town Administrators know how to run a Broadband system or are
chances high we'd have to hire a Network Admin in conjunction with a Town
Administrator? Is the system "state of emergency" worthy? In short, because of
the projections, I want to know with due diligence that we're not pouring more
money into something that down the line winds up abandoned because we don't
have the means to maintain and operate it.
2. Fair and Equal Access. Against my better judgment, I'd vote yes in a New
York minute if Broadband was borrowing to ensure all of Warwick had equal
access. But it's not. It's talking about a considerable increase to lucky
customers, an incremental increase to trapped customers and still does nothing
for those with zero access. I've watched a lot of my friends struggle with
connectivity the past 4 years - mostly families (and one computer
professional.) My friend Erika has even openly vented about it here on the L.
If Broadband is a town wide effort then it needs to be equitable and accessible
town wide first. Spend the money and approve necessary edits that are good for
everyone and then talk upgrade.
In short, I don't understand the big rush over broadband like we're working
against some ticking bomb. We're not. It's an upgrade..not an emergent repair.
And knowing we face future financial challenges that require forethought makes
me even less inclined to hop on a hooting and hollering bandwagon that's flying
by with people hanging out the windows screaming that I have to get on right
now. No, no I don't.
denyse dar
Painting the world happy!
www.denysedar.com
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