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Louisiana: Public's Voice Rings Out "I want my broadband!"

With turnout estimated at 12%, a full 27% of the registered voters in Lafayette actually turned out to vote yesterday. And the results? A resounding 62 percent in favor of having their city commit to a $125 million project to extend fiber to their homes, thus providing a big fat pipe for the content of the 21st Century. Dispelling any doubt about how the public feels about taking control of their destiny and taking a risk on a large public project, the vote says it all: 62% for, 38% against.

The echoes of this vote are likely to be loud and long, as the politicians at state and federal levels debate whether local governments should have the right to bring broadband infrastructure to their constiuencies. The incumbent telecom and cable companies spoke loud and clear by lobbying state legislatures to keep cities out of the picture, in what may come to be deemed Round One of the Great Broadband Revolution. They said, "We have this under control, wait for us to bring broadband to you."

Lafayette voters responded, saying, "No thanks, BellSouth and Cox Cable, we can't wait for you, we're going to do it ourselves." Will Lafayette's popular vote prove to be the bellwether on where this war will go, the "shot heard 'round the world" as at Lexington & Concord 230 years ago?

Only time will tell, but for now, the margin of victory is compelling, and for the people of Lafayette, LA, the results hold the promise of a broadband content-filled tomorrow. Score one for local democracy! This vote puts Lafayette, LA on the map.

Posted on July 17, 2005 at 10:07 AM

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