New blueprint needed for better broadband | Letters

I respectfully request that county and OPALCO spend $250,000 to demonstrate a Broadband solution for the rural San Juan Islands, rather than continue to spend money on expensive consultants and planners. I respectfully request OPALCO and the county use a portion of the RUS funds already approved for such a project to build out this demonstration system.

July 2, 2013 1:01 pm

OPALCO has spent three years developing a $35 million plan to improve broadband in San Juan County. Recently, it was declared dead.

There are areas of San Juan County that still do not have any broadband options that are three megabits up and down.

I respectfully request that county and OPALCO spend $250,000 to demonstrate a Broadband solution for the rural San Juan Islands, rather than continue to spend money on expensive consultants and planners. I respectfully request OPALCO and the county use a portion of the RUS funds already approved for such a project to build out this demonstration system.

Such a plan should be developed openly and offer competition among island businesses.

I’ve created a petition to empower islanders to support that action. It is available at http://goo.gl/MQdFt.

Alex Huppenthal/Orcas Island