Network in the News

Nov. 18, 2009

Free Times: South Carolina’s Broadband: How Officials Quietly Privatized a Key State Asset

By Corey Hutchins

By William J. Hamilton III

Penn gathering stretches SC Progressives between past and future

Sept. 12, 2009: Free Times

Advocates Urge State: Use Digital Goldmine for Public Broadband; Progressive Network Wants 25 Percent of Spectrum Retained by Public

Aug. 29, 2009: Orangeburg Times and Democrat

S.C. debate is whether broadband leasing means less chance of more service

June 4, 2009, The State
Broadband deal getting more study; Sides debateing how to allocate broadcast capacity

By GINA SMITH
gnsmith@thestate.com

A panel of lawmakers says it needs more time to study a proposal to bring WiMax, the latest in wireless broadband, to the Palmetto State.

Wednesday, the Joint Bond Review Committee sent to subcommittee a plan to lease ETV’s excess broadcast capacity to private companies, Clearwire and Digital Bridge Communications.

A contentious part of the proposal lets the state recapture 20 percent of the excess capacity if it’s needed in the future for yet-to-be-determined law enforcement, school or governmental needs.

Some lawmakers and residents say the state should hang on to more of the capacity.

Others think the capacity could be worth more money.

“It sounds to me like we may be selling ourselves a bit cheap,” said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.

The S.C. Progressive Network said lawmakers should designate some of the capacity for free Internet for K-12 students and reduced-rate Internet for residents.

Members of a legislatively appointed study committee say they’ve negotiated the best possible deal for the state.

The companies will pay nearly $143 million to the state over 30 years. The companies would build WiMax networks, offering S.C. residents, businesses and others wireless Internet and, eventually, other uses, like interactive tools.

It would take 18 months to build a network, according to Clearwire.

The debate comes at a time when Clearwire is facing legal troubles.

Customers in four states, including North Carolina, are suing Clearwire, alleging the company is misrepresenting the reliability of its network and is unfairly charging early termination fees.

Clearwire is upgrading its network from an early version of WiMax to mobile WiMax.

Clearwire representatives have said South Carolina would get the mobile WiMax version.

It’s unclear how soon the subcommittee will report back. The State Budget and Control Board has the final say.
May 27, 2009, The State

Panel: Bring in wireless firms
Some critics of plan call for statewide free wireless system

By GINA SMITH
South Carolina is edging closer to bringing the next generation of broadband technology, called WiMax, to every part of the state.

But residents will have to pay for the new WiMax technology — and that has some organizations upset.

A legislatively appointed study panel issued its recommendation Tuesday on what the state should do with capacity ETV no longer needs. Federal rules are requiring ETV to convert its current analog spectrum to a digital one, freeing up 95 percent of ETV’s capacity for new wireless technology.

The panel recommended the state should lease:

• Seventy percent of the extra capacity to Washington state-based Clearwire to create a WiMax network in the urban parts of the state. An alternative to cable or DSL, WiMax is a telecommunications technology that can deliver wireless broadband across long distances. Because WiMax can transfer much more data than other technologies, it allows new uses, including interactive tools.

• The remaining 30 percent of the capacity to Virginia-based Digital Bridge Communications, a provider of wireless broadband to small and medium-sized communities. Digital Bridge would serve rural communities.

In the future, if South Carolina needs some of the leased capacity for public safety, education or governmental purposes, the state could recapture up to 25 percent of the now-unneeded capacity by renegotiating the leases.

Both Clearwire and Digital Bridge would make money from the leases by providing the WiMax technology to individuals, companies and others. In exchange, the two companies would pump nearly $143 million over the course of a 30-year lease into the state’s general fund, including $7 million upfront.

“The proposal is a great opportunity for South Carolina,” said Neil Mellen, a study committee member. “State government will enjoy much-needed revenues for basic services, such as school teachers and public safety, while the lion’s share of the spectrum will be in the hands of those most capable of successfully building it out: dedicated commercial providers. That means broader access, expanded service and lower rates for Internet access throughout South Carolina.”

But Brett Bursey, director of the S.C. Progressive Network, said he is disappointed the committee did not choose to use the excess capacity to provide free or discounted wireless service to the state’s residents.

“This is taxpayer-funded,” said Bursey, referring to taxes the state’s residents have paid to help fund ETV. “The millions of dollars South Carolinians have put into building up the broadcast system could and should have resulted in the nation’s first statewide free wireless system.”

However, telecommunications companies said it would have been unfair competition for the state to offer free wireless access.

“We welcome competition, but we don’t want anyone having an unfair advantage,” said Jerry D. Pate, director of the S.C. Telephone Association, a group of 25 telecommunications companies.

Pate said his organization is fine with the agreement but doubts it will bring Internet prices down for South Carolinians.

“This industry is highly competitive already,” Pate said, adding 410 telecommunication companies operate in South Carolina.

After a review by the Joint Bond Review Committee, the State Budget and Control Board will have the final say on the proposal in June.

May 20, 2009, The State

Group wants gays in dating violence bill

Gay rights advocates called on senators Tuesday to strike down an amendment on a teen dating violence bill.

“Discriminating against children because of their sexual orientation, to me, is ridiculous,” said Rep. Ken Kennedy, D-Williamsburg.

Last week, the House approved a bill requiring school districts to dispense information about the dangers of teen dating violence to students and their parents. An amendment by Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Calhoun, requires the information only reference heterosexual teen couples.

The amendment passed easily despite objections by a few lawmakers including Kennedy and Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.

Although statistics are sparse, rates of dating violence among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth are comparable or even higher than those for heterosexual couples, according to the S.C. Progressive Network which sponsored Tuesday’s news conference.

But Rep. Joan Brady, R-Richland, the bill’s sponsor, said her research shows rates of teen dating violence are higher for heterosexual teen couples. The bill is up for a final vote Wednesday in the House before heading to the Senate. With two days left in the session, it has almost no chance of passing this year.

May 19, 2009, WLTX
Gay rights advocates protest date violence bill

April 2, 2009, NPR Morning Edition

SC Governor Being Pressured to Take the Stimulus

April 2, 2009, WLTX-TV

Hundreds Rally to Urge Governor to Take Stimulus

April 2, 2009, AOL-TV

Crowd Shots from the People’s Stimulus Rally

April 2, 2009, WOLO-TV

Time is Running Out for Sanford’s Stimulus Decision

April 2, 2009, BET.com

Protesters in South Carolina Demand Gov. Take Stimulus Money

April 2, 2009, The State

Rally urges Sanford to ‘Take the money’ - Educators, students, lawmakers rally at State House

By GINA SMITH

More than 1,000 teachers, college students and others converged on the State House Wednesday with a message for Gov. Mark Sanford: Take the $700 million in federal stimulus money.

Without it, an estimated 1,700 teachers, like Lisa Matthews, could lose their jobs, according to the state Department of Education.

Estimates by some Democratic lawmakers put the job loss number in the 3,000 to 4,000 range.

The House version of the budget uses $350 million of the federal funds to offset cuts to K-12, higher education and law enforcement.

Matthews, carrying a sign that read: “Pink Slip for Mark Sanford,” said she has been put on notice by Kershaw County school district leaders that she will lose her job as an in-school suspension teacher at Lugoff-Elgin Middle School if Sanford doesn’t accept the funds.

The governor has until Friday to make a decision but has already made it clear he won’t take it unless state lawmakers agree to pay down a corresponding amount of state debt.

“I just don’t feel like he understands, like he gets it,” said Matthews, who has been a teacher for nearly seven years. “He’s trying to make a name for himself. And he’s doing it.”

Behind her, Janet Haselden, a media specialist assistant at Lugoff-Elgin Middle School who also will lose her job without the stimulus funds, said she is disappointed with the governor.

“I don’t think he’s looking at the big picture right now. I don’t think he’s thinking about the needs of schoolchildren,” she said.

But a group of Sanford supporters in the crowd said the governor is doing exactly what is right for the state’s future and should stay the course.

“We’re going further in the hole. We’re mortgaging our children’s future,” said Jeff Stuck of Chapin. “It’s a short-term solution for a long-term problem. I really believe in what Governor Sanford is doing.”

Barbara Dodds of Blythewood hoisted a sign that read, “Mark Sanford President 2012” high in the air as educators and others in the crowd chanted, “Impeach so we can teach,” and, “Take the money.”

“Mark Sanford is the best governor in the nation,” Dodds said. “I think he’s wonderful for standing up for us.”

The rally, organized by the S.C. Progressive Network, the South Carolina Education Association and other organizations, also attracted dozens of Democratic lawmakers, who emphasized that if South Carolina doesn’t take the money, it will go to other states and South Carolina taxpayers still will be on the hook to pay the money back.

Earlier, Senate Finance chairman Hugh Leatherman told senators the state’s money would be disbursed to other states, including $18 million to North Carolina and $20 million to Georgia.

“Since we’re going to have to pay it back, we should get our fair share,” said Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Marlboro, yelling over the crowd. “I’ve never seen an issue galvanize people and pull together people like this one has, and I’ve been here for 18 years. Democrats and Republicans, black and white, rural and urban, wealthy and poor. He should take the money.”

Reach Smith at (803) 771-8658 or by email at gnsmith@thestate.com.

April 1, 2oo9, WIS-TV

Protesters Hope Sanford Takes the Money

April 1, 2009, WBRV

Saga Over Stimulus

April 1, 2009

Hundreds Show up to Protest

Dec. 10, 2008

Charleston Post and Courier: Early voting proposals aired at meeting

Dec. 3, 2008

The State: No Excuse for Antiquated Voting System

Nov. 2, 2008

Charleston Post and Courier: Lawyer argues free speech case: Columbia protester charged in 2002 presidential visit

Oct. 28, 2008
The State: Is S.C. ready for Election Day?
By GINA SMITH and JOHN O’CONNOR

State election leaders say they are prepared for a possible record turnout of voters one week from today.

There are 18,000 poll workers in training, thousands of electronic voting machines anticipated to perform correctly and, just in case, a Plan B if problems arise as in January’s Republican presidential primary.

Lawmakers set aside $3.1 million for election workers and operations, despite nearly a half-billion dollars in budget cuts this year. That money will pay for poll workers who will assist voters on Election Day, as well as the cost of using polling places and other expenses.

The budget for this election is the same as what was spent on the 2006 election, when the governor, the state’s constitutional officers and members of the U.S. House were on the ballot. Then, a little more than 1 million voters cast ballots. Turnout in presidential elections is always higher, and the political parties expect to easily surpass the 1.6 million voters who cast ballots in the 2004 presidential election.

State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said the stagnant election budget will have no impact on the general election.

“We’re expecting the voting system to perform accurately and efficiently and securely,” Whitmire said.

The state’s electorate now stands at 2.55 million. That includes more than 500,000 voters added to the rolls since the last presidential election and 300,000 this year.

The state is also headed for a record number of people casting absentee ballots, with more than 200,000 absentee ballots issued thus far. Most voters have until Friday to cast absentee ballots.

To break the 70 percent voter turnout record set in 2004, more than 1.79 million voters must show up at the polls next Tuesday. Obama’s S.C. campaign said turnout could top 2 million, while Republicans think 1.6 million to 1.8 million is more likely.

All voters will use the electronic, touch-screen voting machines in statewide use since 2006. And that has some election watchers worried.

In this year’s Republican primary in Horry County, workers forgot to clear test votes off the machines. On the day of the primary, the machines wouldn’t open because they still had votes on them.

Poll workers were unprepared to take paper ballots, and some voters left in frustration.

And earlier this month in Beaufort County, a wrong password prevented some voters from casting absentee ballots on the machines.

“There’s reason to believe some of the machines in this state will not work,” said Brett Bursey, director of the S.C. Progressive Network. “Demand an emergency ballot if the machine doesn’t work.”

Bursey said his organization, along with the state NAACP, will monitor polling sites Nov. 4 to report voter access problems. He has this advice for anyone who shows up at the polls and experiences a long delay: “Don’t leave the poll without voting.”

Mike Cinnamon, Richland County director of elections, said election officials have learned from past mistakes. Richland County will have more than 900 voting machines to try to keep voters moving. The ballot is fairly short, Cinnamon said, and voters can read over the three statewide ballot questions while waiting in line.

Each polling site will have paper ballots for up to 10 percent of its registered voters.

“If one (machine) goes down, hopefully we’ll still be able to vote,” Cinnamon said. “We never know what the little thing is. Every election has its own personality.”

Election officials are making one special request of voters this year — be patient.

Large voter turnout paired with lots of new voters unfamiliar with voting machines will likely create lines in some precincts.

“Keep in mind the sacrifices many Americans have paid for everyone to have the right to vote,” Whitmire said. “Waiting in a line isn’t such an inconvenience or price to pay for casting a ballot.

Reach Smith at (803) 771-8658.

Oct. 22, 2008
Free Times: What to Know When It’s Time to Vote

Aug. 27, 2008
Free Times: Myths and Realities of Registering, Voting

Aug. 14, 2008
Black News: Search underway for one million missing SC voters

Aug. 13, 2008
Charleston Post and Courier: Groups work to lure more people to polls

Aug. 13, 2008
Charleston City Paper: Activists Hope to Crowd The Polls

Aug. 6, 2008
Free Times: Reviving the GROW – Progressive Network Spearheading Effort to Re-Establish Activist Headquarters Site

Aug. 4, 2008
Herald Independent: Searching for the Missing Voter

May 28, 2008
Free Times: Progressive Network Working to Revive Democratic Process

Jan. 16, 2008
Free Times: S.C. Voting Machines Banned in Other States: Local Activist Says Machines Have a History of Problem

Jan. 16, 2008
The Times and Democrat: Voting machines in S.C. not big source of worry

Nov. 16, 2007
Faith in America: Town hall meeting creates dialogue in Greenville: Community turns out to discuss religion-based bigotry