[IMC] Future of Public Broadband is at stake: votes today & tomorrow

[Danielle Chynoweth]

Care about the future of public broadband?

Please attend two essential meetings this week: Monday 7pm Urbana City Hall
& Tuesday 7pm Champaign City Hall.

In a recently unveiled proposal, there was a plan to give all $33 million
in public, network assets to a private, non-profit with little public
oversight.

Thanks to all the public pressure, the cities are now considering leasing
to a non-profit and have made some improvements to the bylaws. But our work
is not over.

*Now* is the time to speak up to ensure the network we worked so hard to
fund and build operates in the public interest.

The documents for Urbana City Council's meeting tonight can be seen
here<http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/ordinance-2013-08-065.pdf>
.

Here are talking points I will be making tonight:

- This network was created to bridge the digital divide and stimulate local
job creation - it should continue to operate with this mission.

- The public should retain ownership of the network, rather than giving it
away. Ownership should be shared in trust and not just with one of the
cities or the university.

- The new network operator should not be allowed to take action without a
public meeting accessible to the public. Right now, the bylaws allow them
to take action in writing, meet in another part of the country or world,
and meet in a place not accessible to the public.

- Closed session should require 2/3 vote.

- UC2B will need time to be financially solvent. We need to support this
fledgling network so that our hard work and significant public investment
can grow.

best,

Danielle Chynoweth
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