Monthly Minutes – 2007 Archive

Meeting: 10th of May 2007

Present

  • Ron Harrington; President
  • Judy Stem; Vice President
  • Alissa Harrington; Secretary
  • Jeannine Morber; Director
  • Bob Cage
  • Carl Nobile
  • Dean Minnich
  • Larry Twele
  • Denise Beaver
  • Brian Snyder
  • Dave Shaffer
  • Mark Ripper
  • Esther Iglich
    Ron Nawroot
    Drew Richardson
    John Young
    Ken Harris
    Stephen Williams
    Jeff Selby
  • Thomas Bethune
  • Mark Bratman
  • Marek Duoziak
  • David Anderson
  • Tom Canon
  • Alex Curran
  • Lorsi Pizza
  • Barb Schmidt
  • Mark Moore
    Bob Dorr
    Mark Kaidy
    Marian Ware
    Martin Pukownik
    Mark Krider
    Jon Mazzetta
    Kevin Brown
    Mike Shelah
    Dick Coyne

General Announcements

Introductions
Jeannine opened the meeting with member introductions.
Speaker
Jeannine introduced this month's speaker, Joanne Hovis, President of Columbia Telecommunications.
  • Joanne serves predominately public interest: exclusive for government and non-profits.
  • Conducted study last year; to reveal knowledge of industry and conclusions of future of Carroll County; made general recommendations to Economic Development. View Joanne's full report, posted on tech council website
  • For visual demonstration of broadband in terms of speed, visit:http://www.mxi.nl/fiberspeed (From the Netherlands)
    • Provides examples of upload speed to send photos or video movie
    • Interesting fact: 40% of population still using dial up
  • Identified CC Broadband Issues
    • Universal availability
    • Affordability (satellite is out of reach price wise)
    • Symmetrical Speeds (how we operate on the internet)
    • Bandwidth
    • Rural Exclusion
    • Knowledge of service availability (access of information on line)
  • Recommendations
    • Broadband initiatives
    • Private-sector partnerships
    • Market research
    • Franchising
    • Providers and consumers communication
    • Communications planning
    • Public wireless strategy (affordable broadband deployment) Worth wild area of investigation
    • Development zone fiber strategy (target business areas)
    • Fiber and conduit infrastructure Easy and low cost
    • County and Municipalities should develop a policy that when any roadwork or repair in the county is conducted to make the decision to deploy fiber during the construction (roads are already open-more cost effective to lay the fiber at that point, then to go back in several years)

Committee Reports

Ambassador
Mike Shelah, welcomed first time guests.
Compukids
Jeannine announced that we had the largest workday turnout on April 21st; nearly 25 volunteers (thanks to David Franc who referred 4-H volunteers). Next Donation Day is tentatively scheduled for June 25th. Jeannine is securing commitment from the Montgomery School Department, who will donate 400 computers in the near future.
Golf
Judy Stem Thursday May 17th at Wakefield Valley Golf Club. Volunteers, golfers and goodies still needed for event. Payment for the event can be made on the web through Paypal.
Technically Correct
Rich Waganer-No report
Technology Advisory Committee
Barb Schmidt reported that the TAC committee will present the identified topics to the municipalities on May 30th 8:30-noon; members are invited to attend. Next TAC meeting is on May 15th includes a dry run of the municipality presentations.
Website
Steve Williams reported that he is adding new dynamics to LOCATE. Jeannine has also become actively involved in the changes in the web, including the development of a private forum for committees, allowing for the upload of documents, images and discussion groups.
Westminster City Advisory Board
Tom Canon reported that the city Of Westminster continues to face challenges with the financial software conversion. Tom is representing the city of Westminster at the Community Media Center's strategic planning meeting with respect to Channel 23. Tom also thanked those members who contributed to the Fallfest Gala.
CC Times Articles
Jeannine urged members to submit a 500-800 word article for our on-going CTC news article. Submitted every other Friday

Member Announcements

  • Denise: Economic Development 2006 Annual Report is now available, includes accomplishments!
  • Judy: 33% off the Get Clean Package for a limit time. Contact Judy to take advantage of this offer at 410-756-4744
  • Bob: Recently returned from Biloxi, Mississippi -thanked members for their assistance with disaster recovery efforts.

 

Next Month’s Speaker:
No speaker next month!

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Jan 8 Feb 12 Mar 12
Apr 9 May 14 Jun 11
Jul 9 Aug 13 Sep 10
Oct 8 Nov 12

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