Ken Parker, a Newton, Massachusetts alderman, has written an editorial asking for residents to contact the city's mayor to approve a plan to develop and deploy a citywide wireless network. The deadline to approve the plan that Mr. Parker assisted in developing is midnight on December 31, so if citizens want their voices heard either way, they should take the time to do a little research and then contact city officials and make their opinions known.
Mr. Parker has worked with a local ISP--Galaxy Internet--to come up with a plan that would offer unlimited free wireless access to city staff, including unlimited free usage of a secure emergency communication channel, an hour of free WiFi service each day to all Newton residents, as well as free access in hotspots located throughout the area. In addition, the proposal includes residential access at a fee of less than $20 a month and discounts for qualified low-income residents.
It sounds like a reasonable plan, but it really is up to the people of Newton's citizens to make their voices heard and tell local leaders what they want.
