Deseret News | Reader comments: iProvo sale approved

Reader comments
iProvo sale approved

John P | 6:02 a.m. June 4, 2008

Shame on Lewis Billings. He knew that the iprovo model (wholesale) was never going to work, yet he let the council procede with iprovo years ago. His dream was more important to him than doing what was right.

Council of Shame | 6:51 a.m. June 4, 2008

Discomfort, discomfort this thing has lost 14 million and is projected to lose another 15 million and you have discomfort for a sale that pays the city more than it's worth, shameful. THIS IS WHY GOVERMENT SHOULD NEVER COMPETE WITH BUSINESS DIRECTLY. Your job should be to take care of our civic needs not wants, or even worse your wants. Use our tax dollars wisely which you have not done. Get over your discomfort and get back to doing what you should be doing paving our streets, stopping crime and suing old ladies for not mowing their lawn. Oh thatï¿½s Orem sorry. Not!

Disgusted | 7:00 a.m. June 4, 2008

I love the way Mr. Garlick has put the council in a position where there is no chance for a careful deliberation. He essentially held the gun to their heads with his "If we don't pass it now, the sky will fall scenario". This is a horrible way to protect the hard-earned dollars of Provo tax-payers.
He needs to pay for this abuse of a system of checks and balances. Council, send him packing!

Comments continue below

M5613 | 7:22 a.m. June 4, 2008

This whole episode reflects the problem with government forever trying to expand its role and provide more "services," wanted or not, at taxpayer expense. This was clearly a private sector project from the start, and the one thing we will never really get an accurate accounting of is how much taxpayer paid for it and how much a private sector company who came in to pick up the pieces benefited from those same dollars.

ProvoResident | 7:25 a.m. June 4, 2008

As a Provo resident and iProvo customer, I am upset at last night's decision. As demonstrated by the vote split, this is not a resolved issue nor comfortable. I am disappointed by the process which was, as others have said, disingenous and secretive. I am concerned at Broadweave's eye candy website and lack of experience and background with such a network. The public and council were rushed with limited information all with the directive to "Trust us!" Fearmongering was used all to have this deal completed by the end of the month. Potential bidders were told they hadn't given due diligence to present cases, yet they haven't been given an open RFP period nor the time Broadweave has had to negotiate with Provo. It may all work out; but a potential monopoly, lack of information, unknown details for the customers, an ignored and rushed public all lead to potential disaster ahead. Representative of the problem is the response to local competitors from the city only provided minutes before the meeting - incomplete and only available on paper. Enjoy your relief temporarily Provo, I doubt it will be gone forever. Brace yourselves customers for this bumpy ride.

iprovo subscriber | 8:34 a.m. June 4, 2008

Why can't the media take an unbiased angle about iprovo? It's a good thing. The majority voted for building the iprovo infrastructure and for selling it to Broadweave. So, why does the media take such a negative slant about it?

1. Provo is one of a few dozen cities in the entire nation to have fiber to the home. What an opportunity!!!
2. Provo discussed the sale with Mstar and perhaps other providers prior to being approached by Broadweave. At the time, Mstar was behind in payments to Provo city and appeared to not be able to succeed.
3. The RFP and subsequent negotiations were the BEST way for Provo to recoup the costs they have incurred.
4. Broadweave has better financial and technical capabilities than any iProvo subscriber to date. They are the most likely to succeed and provide the best services to Provo residents and businesses.

Again, the majority are behind iProvo and the sale to Broadweave. Too bad the media and a few incapable city council members have to try to rain on the parade. I know I'm going to enjoy my triple play package with Broadweave! :)

Have a nice day!

Utnospin | 9:06 a.m. June 4, 2008

Count yourselves lucky. You could be part of the UTOPIA nightmare. Compared to that, $14 million is chump change. Nonetheless a very expensive lesson should have been learned.

Rook | 9:20 a.m. June 4, 2008

SHADY

Provo Resident | 11:01 a.m. June 4, 2008

We need new representatives in Provo, including the mayor. Now if the Mayor and city council can only see the light and stop pouring our city money into the airport (100's of thousands to date). And city council...in case you haven't heard...airlines are cutting flights, not adding them into Provo, Utah. Stop spending our money like it is going out of style. Give it to the schools before they raise our taxes at the county level.

Anonymous | 12:23 p.m. June 4, 2008

Iprovo is a wonderful idea, just has terrible management. We'll see what happens, it's unfortunate that the city did not sell the system for more.

Anonymous | 4:11 p.m. June 4, 2008

Provo has an airport?

Provo Airport | 7:18 p.m. June 4, 2008

Yeah, and it's been expanding slowly but surely. The grand plan is to have 16 commercial gates...

The plan on Provo's website says: "The community leaders believe that they need nonstop jet passenger air service to key markets in the west to help continue the development of business in the area...

Provo Airport will need facilities to handle four to five passenger airlines and one to two cargo airlines operating jet aircraft."

On the airport issue, I believe the community leaders are wackos.

And I watched the council meeting last night - my goodness - what a bunch of blabbers mouths who like to hear themselves talk and won't enforce time limits on public comments - and then complain they are at the meeting so late.

It amazing anything gets done with that group - they say the same things over and over and over and over.

It's riveting TV - those Provo City Council meetings.

launa | 8:57 p.m. June 4, 2008

Flies in the vaseline we are, including the city council and KG.

Important Visitors | 10:11 p.m. June 4, 2008

Provo does need an upgraded airport. You never know when Fletch will need to fly into Provo to do another investigation.

what idiots | 10:12 p.m. June 4, 2008

You say THIS IS WHY GOVERMENT SHOULD NEVER COMPETE WITH BUSINESS DIRECTLY.But its idiots like you that doesnt realize theyre not trying to compete but actually level the playing feild for the smaller business can compete with the monopolys of these giants(comcast, Quest. I mean imagine if the Gas line to Your house was filled with fuel by many diffrent companys and you got to choose the lowest price wouldnt that be nice? This is essentially the same Idea thats why Systems like UTOPIA
must succeed. Other wise you think that you would be getting a triple play from Comcast for $99 a month?
COME ON PEOPLE AND WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!

More of the same | 8:31 a.m. June 5, 2008

If Mayor Billings can mismanage this iProvo mess so horribly, then perhaps all should take a very hard look at the other boondoggles on his agenda like the airport, the Provo golf course development, the four day work week, the cut of the employee cost of living raise, and the mismanagement and loss of key employees at the Energy department. He actually has quite a terrible track record.

2 Anonymous | 2:38 p.m. June 9, 2008

If the Provo Airport is such a bad thing with number of flights dropping why then are we planting thousands of dollars worth of trees, have plans for adding more parking and building hangars for private sector airplanes? Oh yeah, because the Mayor envisions the Lewis K. Billings International Airport at Provo.

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iProvo sale approved