Looks like the city of Overland Park, KS looked the free gift horse in the mouth.
Looks like the city of Overland Park, KS looked the free gift horse in the mouth.
Originally shared by Rob Walch
This really is not about a "technicality". This is about an issue with indemnification. Being at the meeting - it was very clear three of the councilmen had issues with the Google Fiber agreement. Goodman, Skoog and Collins were the most vocal and did all they could to kill the proposal - and succeeded last night.
Councilmen Goodman even asked that before the next meeting in October an adder be made to the agreement for the council to vote on - knowing that Google already said they were opposed to that adder.
Councilmen Skoog asked Google if they were willing to walk away over such a "minor detail". Which it seems Google very well may. And clearly Overland Park was and is willing to walk away over this issue. Which is a shame - as unlike Google who has 100's if not 1000's of cities lined up to get their service - Overland Park has no one else willing to bring in 1000 MB internet.
I am not suggesting Overland Park accept a bad deal. As Overland Park's own lawyers said the agreement presented to the council last night - the one the council rebuffed - was better than any signed by any other cities in Johnson County. And this is an agreement worked on since January between OP lawyers and Google. And the sticking point is one Google said they can't move on.
Clearly the council - based on questions asked - was not well informed about the Google Fiber offering. Including one particular question when Councilmen Skoog asked if a 1000 MB connection to the school would provide service to 6 to 12 computers. Sadly no one there answered that question (hint - it would handle 100's - and could handle all the computers at any school it is connected to with ease). I am not sure whose fault that was on the lack of education - the Cities or Googles.
However - Google really will not be able to help with regards to education about Google Fiber as Mayor Gerlach at the end of the meeting basically placed a gag order on Google to not do any PR. I found that questionable at best. What harm is there in letting Google educate the residents of Overland Park about their service and the issues with this agreement.
It is highly likely Overland Park will not be getting Google Fiber. The looks of frustration on the folks from Google was not a good thing. Again Overland Park has no one asking to bring in this service - Google Fiber has unlimited choices on where to go. Overland Park will be adding a condition to the agreement that Google has said from the beginning they would not accept. This does not look good for OP residents as this is all about an issue OP themselves said is a "minor issue".
Remember the names - Goodman, Skoog and Collins - the next time you step into the voting booth.
Or just email them
terry.goodman@opkansas.org
curt.skoog@opkansas.org
rick.collins@opkansas.org
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4486845/overland-park-delays-ok-of-google.html
Originally shared by Rob Walch
This really is not about a "technicality". This is about an issue with indemnification. Being at the meeting - it was very clear three of the councilmen had issues with the Google Fiber agreement. Goodman, Skoog and Collins were the most vocal and did all they could to kill the proposal - and succeeded last night.
Councilmen Goodman even asked that before the next meeting in October an adder be made to the agreement for the council to vote on - knowing that Google already said they were opposed to that adder.
Councilmen Skoog asked Google if they were willing to walk away over such a "minor detail". Which it seems Google very well may. And clearly Overland Park was and is willing to walk away over this issue. Which is a shame - as unlike Google who has 100's if not 1000's of cities lined up to get their service - Overland Park has no one else willing to bring in 1000 MB internet.
I am not suggesting Overland Park accept a bad deal. As Overland Park's own lawyers said the agreement presented to the council last night - the one the council rebuffed - was better than any signed by any other cities in Johnson County. And this is an agreement worked on since January between OP lawyers and Google. And the sticking point is one Google said they can't move on.
Clearly the council - based on questions asked - was not well informed about the Google Fiber offering. Including one particular question when Councilmen Skoog asked if a 1000 MB connection to the school would provide service to 6 to 12 computers. Sadly no one there answered that question (hint - it would handle 100's - and could handle all the computers at any school it is connected to with ease). I am not sure whose fault that was on the lack of education - the Cities or Googles.
However - Google really will not be able to help with regards to education about Google Fiber as Mayor Gerlach at the end of the meeting basically placed a gag order on Google to not do any PR. I found that questionable at best. What harm is there in letting Google educate the residents of Overland Park about their service and the issues with this agreement.
It is highly likely Overland Park will not be getting Google Fiber. The looks of frustration on the folks from Google was not a good thing. Again Overland Park has no one asking to bring in this service - Google Fiber has unlimited choices on where to go. Overland Park will be adding a condition to the agreement that Google has said from the beginning they would not accept. This does not look good for OP residents as this is all about an issue OP themselves said is a "minor issue".
Remember the names - Goodman, Skoog and Collins - the next time you step into the voting booth.
Or just email them
terry.goodman@opkansas.org
curt.skoog@opkansas.org
rick.collins@opkansas.org
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4486845/overland-park-delays-ok-of-google.html
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