| OPINION AND COMMENT: Bob Weaver
How many times have you heard the 21st Century technology speech from
the likes of President Bill Clinton and Governor Cecil Underwood - the
future of the economy and the future of America depends upon our ability
to join the world of high technology?
Access! Access! Access!
The information age has replaced the industrial revolution, and even rural,
backwoods areas of America can now become part of the technology
explosion. Location no longer matters. You can run your business from
most anywhere.
If that be so, it seems like we are still wandering around and looking for a
light socket and a phone line in Sunny Cal with 21st Century written on it.
At two recent public meetings, one contemplating the future of Calhoun
County and the other reviewing economic conditions, the access question
came up.
Charter Cable is doing a nickels worth and Frontier, the independent phone
company, is operating on a thread, caught in the bind of rugged terrain and
a small customer base.
These concerns prompted the passage of a resolution at the Calhoun
Commission meeting last night, seeking help.
THE RESOLUTION
"We, the Commissioners of Calhoun County, West Virginia, explicitly request the assistance of
all government agencies and business communities to bring to our underdeveloped and
under served Appalachian county, the infrastructure that would allow us to become part of
21st Century technology."
"Much of our area is still lacking basic infrastructure of a safe, modern access road to allow our citizens to travel to jobs or to allow the transport of goods that could be produced here, access to public water and sewage, the failure to develop basic technology infrastructure that most of America takes for granted, will continue to maintain the current level of distress that is well-known."
"While we invest billions of dollars in public and private funds in technology enterprises in urban areas and in foreign countries, we neglect providing the basic infrastructure that would assist our citizens to rise above poverty and create jobs."
"Small businesses and professional services desire the warmth and safety of rural life, they cannot relocate to such an environment."
"These endeavors would involve fiber optics, wired cable, cell phone, telephone lines, satellite communication, improved access to the internet, etc."
"We direct the President of the Commission and the Clerk of the County to send this appeal to all elected officials and parties who might be of assistance."
"We pass this request, this 14th day of July, 2003."
"The undersigned, Commissioners of Calhoun County"
Robert Weaver, President
Larry McCallister
Rick Sampson
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