By Patric Hedlund, TME

Paulin Paris’ voice was disappointed when he called from their historic cabin on Frazier Mountain, to say his family was returning to Los Angeles because his son, who had grown up loving being in the forest, could not receive a good internet signal here.

Homeowners in the Pine Mountain Club POA signed petitions to ask their board to continue Zoomcasting its monthly meetings after covid quarantine was over. Several elected district boards are using that hybrid option.

Logical uses of broadband technology tools to get doctors’ test results, counseling sessions, or government hearings are now expected.

“Why should we be expected to make a 100 mile round trip to Bakersfield at $6 a gallon for gas to attend a county supervisors meeting?” we ask. People do not agree they should be arbitrarily barred from participating fully in public meetings if they attend virtually. College students, school districts, teachers, business managers and entrepreneurs all have the same vision.

Young people who grew up in this rural area want…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Here is a link to the California Broadband For All initiative.

Photo captions:

Marisa Wood (left), candidate for Congress in District 20, met with Frazier Park and Pine Mountain Club voters Saturday, May 21. One topic was how broadband internet for all can make telehealth affordable from every home, boost educational options, retain real estate values and provide economic opportunity here.

The San Joaquin Valley Regional Broadband Consortium, coordinated by Francis “Frank” Gornick held a zoom Q and A session May 20.

DR Internet and The Mountain Enterprise participated in the call.
Now school district and public service agencies are being asked to join in. Zito Media has also taken an interest in learning more.

Money from the first bucket of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could help boost economic development in the Mountain Communities, making it possible to retain good-paying work-from-home jobs here. The community is working together to write a letter of interest to submit by June 6.

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This is part of the May 27, 2022 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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