Local News

Last week I mentioned that I was trying to raise awareness in Genesee County of Google’s interest in building a high-speed fiber network.  I had sent out several emails, mostly to members of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and the Genesee FreeNet.  Not having received any responses as yet, today I placed a call to Keith Edwards, Senior Development Director of Economic Development of the GRCC.  Mr. Edwards informed me that they are indeed aware of Google’s intent, and were planning on meeting Monday to discuss this.  Apparently he did not receive my email, but said someone in their IT department had brought it to their attention.

Hopefully we’ll see something come of this.  Maybe I’ll call him back after Monday to see how things are going.

Google is seeking one or more communities in which to develop an experimental broadband high-speed fiber network. Google is interested in hearing from state, county, and municipal agencies in order to determine where to develop this network.  I’ve been trying to raise community awareness of this for several days.  So far, I don’t think I’m getting through to anybody.

Below is a copy of an email I’ve been sending to community leaders.  On February 16th I sent it to the Michigan Works Association, The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, the Genesee FreeNet, and the Economic Development arm of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  I also placed a call to the Genesee FreeNet (of which I’m a charter member) to make sure they got the email.

The message to the Regional Chamber of Commerce was to a generic office email address, and it bounced as undeliverable.  So the next day I sent the same email to various office-holders of that organization, including the CEO and 3 vice presidents of economic development.

At the time of this writing (evening of February 19th) I have received no reply.  I intend to send out more emails, and to follow some of these up with phone calls.

The letter:

Greetings from a hopeful Genesee County citizen. This email is meant to bring awareness to the fact that Google is seeking one or more communities in which to develop an experimental broadband high-speed fiber network. Google is interested in hearing from state, county, and municipal agencies in order to determine where to develop this network.

I believe Genesee County is the ideal place for Google to build out this infrastructure. Not only do we have the talent and drive to help Google achieve its goals, but we understand the economic and cultural importance of a connected community. For example, we founded the Genesee FreeNet over 15 years ago, and it still exists because of the knowledge and generosity of its volunteers and members.

I know there have been efforts by insightful groups of people to develop community-wide broadband access in the past. Perhaps this initiative from Google can serve as a springboard toward realizing that worthy goal.  Time is unfortunately short. Google is asking for input between now and March 26th before making its decision. Please visit the site, watch the short video and read the introduction Google has prepared. We then need to bring to bear all powers of persuasion possible, to convince Google of the wisdom of investing in Genesee County.

Google Fiber for Communities:

http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

–
Joe Poniatowski
Charter Member, Genesee FreeNet

If you can think of anyone else who can help make Genesee County the site of an exciting new model of high-speed interconnectivity, either pass this information on to them or send me their contact information and I’ll do it.

Today Exxon Mobile recorded their 2nd quarter profits of $11.68 billion. This is lower than analysts’ predictions, but still managed to break the record for the largest quarterly profit for a U.S. company (previously set by Exxon Mobile).

This works out to $1,485.55 per second in profits, over $128 million per day. Yes – you’re reading that correctly – that’s $128 million in profit, not revenue, every day.

Who do they think they’re fooling when they blame high fuel costs on the speculators or production problems? Petroleum seems to be the only industry in the world where production problems equal higher profits. Look up the term ‘oligopoly.’

I recently happened on the scene in Davison recently as police and paramedics responded to a 911 call that turned out to be a suspected heroin overdose.
As a staff writer for the Davison Messenger, I tried to get a few statements from witnesses and took a few pictures. The Messenger has decided to print the story in the newest edition which should be hitting the streets as I write this. I also put a copy of the article on Triond. Please read the suspected heroin overdose story and let me know what you think.

Imagine planting a pine tree, a small seedling, using a spade shovel. Not too difficult, right? Now imagine doing that 1000 times. Repeat every spring for 14 years. That’s exactly what Bob Zirnhelt did on 11 acres where he and his wife live in Davison, Michigan.

Beginning in 1991, Bob began buying young trees from the Genesee County Conservation District. Every spring he would buy 1000 seedlings and plant them around his home. “It’s one of the best ways to enhance the beauty and improve the value of your home,” he says. Bob is a code enforcer for the city of Burton, and knows a thing or two about home values.

Read Full “Zirnhelt’s Trail” Story on NewsFlavor.

In Goodrich, Michigan, the water level in the Millpond has been a source of contention for over 30 years between residents, the Village Council, the DNR, and the DEQ (Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality). Now it seems that the dam is leaking, possibly requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) in repairs. My first newspaper article for Flint Area Media was covering this story, including some background as well as the latest developments. Please read the Goodrich Millpond story online at Associated Content.  Incidentally, because of a delay in printing, this is an AC exclusive for the time being.

I recently started writing articles for a publisher who puts out several newspapers local to our surrounding communities. The Davison Messenger, The Tri-County News, The Burton Banner, etc. Some of them were existing publications which he purchased, some are new startups. All are collectively published under the name of his company, ‘Flint Area Media’ (FAM).
Production problems and slow sales have caused some delays in getting the papers out regularly, but I have hopes that these glitches are temporary. The organization is currently moving into a newer, larger building, and I take that as a good sign.

Of course, I expect to be paid for the articles I write, but I’m also doing it for the excitement of seeing my byline in print. Plus, although FAM eventually expects to make all their articles and stories available on-line, they are not ready yet for that. In the mean-time, Mike (the publisher) has given me permission to post them on the 3 sites I write for (Associated Content, Helium, and Triond). I’ll place links in future postings.