[RTC List] FW: RTC meeting Thurs 9/14

[Gregg Foster]

FYI...



Gregg Foster
Executive Director
Redwood Region Economic Development Commission
520 E Street
Eureka, CA  95501
707-445-9651
707-445-9652 (fax)
rredc at northcoast.com
www.rredc.com
-----Original Message-----
From: John Abela [mailto:jabela at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 5:50 PM
To: Gregg Foster
Subject: Re: [RTC List] RTC meeting Thurs 9/14

Hello Sir,

Thank you for taking the time to address these issues.

We have meet before and I am aware of your involvement here in our
Community - you should be commended for your efforts.

I will by-no-means dispute what efforts the RTC has done previously!

I do, however, have to ask you (as a board member) the very question
I've been asked all day. What is the RTC presently doing - both as an
organization and within their monthly meetings - to *continue* to push
forward IT Development here in Humboldt County?

Yes, I am aware you guys have tried and tried and tried to get the
wifi thing going, yet still nothing to show for it. Yes, I'm also
aware that a group in Arcata tried to get it going and so far nothing
to show for it. And, yes, I know that another group here in Eureka is
trying to get it going... and, oh-my-gosh, they are almost done! As I
understand it a group of guys who are just tired of waiting, are
putting together a nice sized mesh and already planning on expanding
out. So, while I understand you guys at the RTC are working on it, it
does appear that a grassroots group is beating out the "leaders of
technology in humboldt county", when it comes to this topic. For me
and my business, we will *never* use a wireless network, so that is of
no importance to me personally, however, it is a PUSH FORWARD of
technology -- and that IS what is importance.

Sir Gregg, it really all just comes down to the fact that I've thought
a LOT about joining the RTC, yet nearly every business owner I know of
here in Humboldt County says they have nothing to do with the RTC, and
don't really want to. As a prospective member, I simply have to
question why that is. -- Thus my message to the list earlier today.

John B. Abela


On 9/13/06, Gregg Foster <rredc at northcoast.com> wrote:
> Well, it's great to see such passion.  Some quick thoughts:
>
>         1.      I'm on the board, but not a tech related business.  RTC
has
> been very helpful for me in efforts over the years to improve the
> telecommunications infrastructure here.  When everyone was dragging their
> feet on the fiber optic install, it was RTC leadership that helped push
that
> forward.  When everyone was patting themselves on the back when it was
> complete, it was RTC leadership that pushed the fact that one fiber was
not
> enough.  We have both infrastructure risk and no price competition and we
> all suffer.  The redundant fiber project continues with work being done
> every day.  RTC is a vital part of that and when (and I mean when) the
deal
> is struck that brings us redundancy, you'll be able to thank RTC for
pushing
> it.  I won't go into efforts, again mostly voluntary, to bring wireless
> coverage to public facilities and unserved areas, but we're helping with
> that too.  Thank us when you are on your browsing on your laptop at the
> airport.  That will be coming too, again thanks to the VOLUNTEER efforts
of
> RTC leadership.
>         2.      You seem to think that there's some sort of magic and/or
big
> infrastructure to RTC.  Its five volunteers, giving freely of their time,
> not being paid to do so (in fact, I'm the only one whose job sort of
> intersects my involvement).   My challenge to the members is that if you
> don't feel that that programs are relevant, then devote the hours to
finding
> a relevant speaker or developing a program that people want to hear.
>         3.      The same goes for other efforts outside of the monthly
> meetings.  If you want something, help create it.  Commit the hours.
Commit
> the effort.  Opinions are not unique, but commitment too often is.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gregg
>
> Gregg Foster
> Executive Director
> Redwood Region Economic Development Commission
> 520 E Street
> Eureka, CA  95501
> 707-445-9651
> 707-445-9652 (fax)
> rredc at northcoast.com
> www.rredc.com
>