HomeMy WebLinkAboutNicholls public comment January 17, 2007
From: Norm Nicholls
To: TDPUD Manager and Board Members
Subj: Broadband input
To all who are concerned:
Attached please find copies of responses to an email I sent out to approximately 100
clients over the weekend, in addition to the verbiage of my email. I expected more
responses but the long weekend probably caused some to be too busy for responses.
Unfortunately I cannot attend tonight's meeting so I am forwarding to you through your
office.
The consensus of those that replied was that their internet services are adequate as they
are. There are also concerns as to the financial liability(if any)that the PUD and their
customers would(could)be put in if the broadband idea goes forward.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Respectfully,
Norm Nicholls
11061 Sitzmark Way
Truckee, CA 96161
Cell(530)448-9339
/ ' "
Norm Nicholls
From: UNKRICH,MARK[mark.unkrich@avagotech.com]
/V y�
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:36 AM D �-
To: Norm Nicholls
Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read
Hi Norm,
Thanks for the info. I have been passive on this. we do not use TV and only very occasional
internet access which is fine for our limited usage through phone or other.
The key missing data I do not see below, in the attachment, or on the TDPUD website is how the
funding is passed along to the district, i.e. the $27 million required, and what the monthly
rates may be. Also, in the Bay Area, we are able to receive very high bandwidth DSL, certainly
over 3Mbps. These are being offered at discounted rates by SBC which are pretty good and have
been dropping year-to-year as $/bps. The cost of the repeaters for the ISP is relatively low
to increase the bandwidth if they are motivated and keep costs down.
My bottom line is, we may be up there more some time in 4+ years and then will be interested in
higher performance at a lower rate - does this deliver that. Generally, I am inclined to
satellite TV over cable (less land failure dependencies) and wireless internet. The world is
changing and broadband fiber may be the way to go, but it should be capable of tomorrow's
bandwidth needs, not today's. I am not interested in any cable or internet for at least the
next 4 years at our residence in Tahoe Donner, unless it were REALLY cheap, less than
$15/month, since it would have such a part time usage on our part. I know that price point
will not be available, however.
Hope you are doing well and let's get some snow!
Best,
Mark Unkrich
From: Norm Nicholls [m ilto:nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com]
---Sent.-Stmday;"Jdftuary 14, 2007 1.49 PM
To: nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com
Subject: Important Matter...Please Read
To all my clients and friends:
If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee
Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone
survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area.
I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing
towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The
original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest
proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside (ty or some of'ties to use
the board
as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and
members is"if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true.
I have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.tdpud_org ) explaining the PUD staff
position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being
1 AK11An7
the area provider).
For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might
use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee,
and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, I
guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be
something that you really would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least
for now. We all know that"wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable
future.
I attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted
by the survey company, and I assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do
so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed,
or not proceed. Or, you might simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. I will forward copies of your
responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting.
You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. Their phone number is (530) 587-3896. I was unable to find
their email address on their website!
Thanks for taking the time to support"your" position on this matter. What you think does matter and should
be heard!
Respectfully,
Norm
Norm Nicholls
XSpecializing in Truckee Area Real Estate Sales since 1984
Norm Nicholls Dickson Realty Truckee
Realtor 11500 Donner Pass Road
Truckee,CA 96161
tel: 530-550-5035 is
nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com fax: 530-587-8064
www.truckeereaiestate.com mobile: 530-448-9339
Add me to your address book... Want a signature like this?
Norm Nicholls
From: CAPTSKAYC@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:52 AM
To: Norm Nicholls C
Subject: BROADBAND COVERAGE /
NORM,
I AM NO TECHNO WIZARD, BUT I HAVE A PHONE/FAX NUMBER, WITH NO EXTRAS,
AND I HAVE CEBRIDGE CABLE (NOW CALLED SOMETHING ELSE). THE CABLE CO.
PROVIDES TV COVERAGE AND ALSO HI-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS.
I HAVE A WIRELESS ROUTER IN THE HOUSE BUT DON'T USE IT MUCH AS IT IS NOT
VERY SECURE.
ANYWAY, THE ABOVE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. I REALLY DON"T KNOW WHAT
ALL OF THIS OTHER STUFF DOES.....
BILL & GRETA CURTIS
1/15/2007