Great letter to the editor published in The Villager last week: Understand Centennial 2G In the Oct. 17 Villager Election Guide, a letter to the editor made several misinformed statements regarding Centennial Ballot Question 2G. The letter was from Monika Bromley, but she was not identified in the letter as a candidate for mayor of Centennial. The fact that she is running for mayor would be important to know, given that the letter also included an attack on the incumbent Mayor Cathy Noon. Centennial’s Ballot Question 2G simply asks the voters to restore their city’s authority to use its fiber optic infrastructure in non-exclusive partnerships with the private sector to foster a more competitive marketplace for Internet and cable television services. The ballot language of 2G makes clear the city’s intent. Before sending 2G to the ballot, the Centennial City Council considered developing a business plan for the use of its fiber optic infrastructure (which is currently only used for city traffic signals and weather stations). Our conclusion was that it would be irresponsible for the city to spend money and staff resources to develop a business plan for an activity that state law currently forbids us to do. First we must have the permission of our citizens and only after we have received that permission would it make sense to develop a more detailed plan. To have created a business plan before getting approval from the voters would be as unwise as an employee who spends money on plane tickets and hotel reservations before clearing vacation time with their boss. It just wouldn’t be financially responsible and, as a City Council member, being financially responsible with citizens’ tax dollars is my most important duty. Mrs. Bromley argues that the city should first provide the voters with a business plan, including the city’s role and limitations. This flies in the face of the flexibility needed to manage a business plan and the best use of this technological asset. It would almost be impossible to develop a plan to send to the voters that wouldn’t be obsolete within a few years. This technology and marketplace are advancing rapidly, and the city should not have to predict all possible scenarios for the use of fiber optics. And the limits on the powers of City Council with regard to the use of our fiber optics are no different than the limits that restrict their power to conduct any other business in the city: the limits found in the City Charter, TABOR restrictions on tax increases and debt, the ability of the voters to vote for and recall elected officials, etc. Our City has been extremely responsive to citizen concerns and provides many opportunities for citizen input and engagement, while at the same time remaining a small-government, fiscally-conservative city. I hope that readers of The Villager will take a careful look at the language found in 2G and decide not to let our fiber optic infrastructure go to waste. We must take back our right to use our infrastructure. Please vote yes on 2G. Ken Lucas Centennial City Councilman
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 04:12:59 +0000
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