Bleeding money, unable to sign up enough subscribers, and incapable of investing in new technology to attract users, Salisbury’s beleaguered municipal broadband service is about to be leased to a private firm. The N.C. Local Government Commission approved a deal Tuesday, July 10, allowing Salisbury to refinance the Fibrant system’s $26.5 million in bonds. They...
An overwhelming 81 percent of voters in Salisbury on Tuesday said the city should lease its Fibrant broadband service to Hotwire Communications. The unofficial vote was 2,602 to 590. As Carolina Journal reported, the proposed lease would go for 20 years beginning July 1, with Hotwire paying back the city a percentage of its revenue from...
Salisbury residents will vote Tuesday on whether to lease its city-owned broadband system to a private provider. Critics say it could be a case of making the best of a bad situation. Salisbury officials want to lease the assets of Fibrant to Hotwire Communications — everything from the fiber to offices to vehicles — for...
RALEIGH – A North Carolina municipal broadband network has made the Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s “Dirty Dozen” — 12 high-profile taxpayer-funded internet projects that have cost the public more than $2 billion. The North Carolina network is MI-Connection, which provides broadband service to the Charlotte suburbs of Mooresville and Davidson. MI-Connection —$80 million in debt and has an annual...
SALISBURY — Five Republican candidates jabbed and prodded their way through a debate April 14 in Rowan County, hoping to convince voters in two rural state House and Senate districts to pull the lever for them in the primary.
RALEIGH — Salisbury officials are "irresponsibly risking" taxpayer money on a $30 million fiber-optic cable system, according to a new John Locke Foundation Regional Brief. That system could force average taxpayers to "foot the bill for big business."
RALEIGH — Former N.C. Rep. Michael Decker, Sr. of Forsyth County pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to crimes associated with efforts to elect Jim Black to another term as speaker of the House in 2003. Court documents tell of a deal made with an unnamed legislator that resulted in Decker receiving envelopes stuffed with checks and cash. Related Articles: Salisbury stakes were high for Decker How it unfolded Decker's plea agreement (.pdf) 'It was a show of repentance on his part' Dem: 'I don't want (Black) to be involved' Columnist: Decker could have gotten 40 years Decker had unspectacular career CJ: Did caucus disrespect Decker? CJ: Spotlight on Speaker Black CJ: Who's who at the Board of Elections hearings
