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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What the broadband stimulus package means to rural telcos
volunteers wanted
Jason Clark of the Four Lane Highway Working Group and I have had a couple of telephone conversations over the past month regarding the IT Committee’s willingness/interest in aiding the Four Lane Highway Working Group in achieving its mission through the use of technology. For those who attended our full committee meeting in January, you’ll remember I brought this suggestion forward and it was received warmly by those present. Jason and his group are receptive to our cooperation and are interested in hearing how we might help.
To get the ball rolling, Jason and I have set a time to sit down with a few members of each of our committee’s to brainstorm some possible ideas for them to explore as they move forward with their mission. Jason & I also believe that our efforts are closely related as we have discussed the importance of developing both sets of infrastructure – technology & roads. For those reasons, we feel a good working relationship between the two groups makes sense.
I would appreciate approx two other members of the IT Committee to step forward with a willingness to participate in this effort. Jason & I are scheduled to meet Thursday, March 5th at 11:00 am in Canton and I would appreciate involvement from those volunteers. Please reply to me to let me know if this is something you can help with! Thank you!
Laura J Perry
Home/Office:
28 Cassidy Rd.
Parishville, NY 13672
V - (315) 265-4233
C - (315) 267-6857
F - (775) 261-9009
E - laurap@slic.com
IM - LauraSlic
Monday, February 23, 2009
laurap@slic.com has shared: Broadband projects await federal stimulus money
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| Broadband projects await federal stimulus money http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/12983/broadband-p... | |
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
2/26 IT Meeting Cancelled
The meeting of the full IT Committee previously scheduled for Thursday, 2/26/09 is cancelled. I will forward info related to strategic plan, bio’s, Newton Falls grant, presentations and other items in the days to follow. We will plan to reconvene next month on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 2pm. I regret any inconvenience. -L
Monday, February 2, 2009
IT Panel Touts Need for Technology
Watertown Daily Times
IT panel touts need for technology
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2009
CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Information Technology Committee's goal is high-speed Internet access for all, but its members first must convince decision makers and taxpayers that technology investments are necessary to stay competitive, even in tough financial times.
"If some of these initiatives require taxpayer money, it's important to tell folks why it's important," committee member Kevin P. Lynch, network services director at Clarkson University, Potsdam, said at the committee's Jan. 22 meeting. "Some people think of it as a luxury, not a necessity."
St. Lawrence County lawmakers grappled with that notion last fall when finalizing the 2009 budget. Legislators nearly axed an IT director position from the budget to reduce spending, although IT Committee Chairwoman Laura J. Perry, D-Hopkinton stressed the need for someone to oversee the county's technology needs. The $97,000 position was restored in the final budget, but by a close 9-6 vote.
Several lawmakers also opposed last year's telephone replacement project in county buildings, although the existing system was 30 years old and regularly broke down.
"The difficulty is in justifying it at the outset," Ms. Perry said. "I think you can look to examples like the investment in an IT director, a new phone system, and the cross-town fiber connections between the county buildings. Those things are needed for an organization of our size and complexity to operate in today's environment."
Ms. Perry said there could be a generational misunderstanding about the need for technology. People who grew up using computers and cell phones depend more on such devices than those who grew up without them, she said.
"If you look at the statistics, the 18- to 34-year-olds will not live without the conveniences of cell phones, high-speed Internet and computer access. If we're looking to the future in terms of creating a community that is attractive to residents in that demographic, we need to address those utilities," she said.
IT Committee member Gregory A. Stahl, St. Lawrence University's telecommunications manager, said it's also important to educate county residents and small businesses about why investment in high-speed Internet access is important for the future.
"It almost becomes a negative if they see the cost, but they don't see the benefit," Mr. Lynch said.
A major benefit could be a means for attainable economic development, Ms. Perry said.
"One of the things we can do while preserving the character of the area is improve access to technology, contrary to some other economic development strategies that folks look to," she said. "We don't have the ability to address the needs of those types of facilities, but we could, and I believe in a much shorter time frame with fewer resources, address technology needs to bring us up to speed."
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