Blog note: this letter references the civil grand jury.
My highest praise to the Marin IJ editorial board for stepping into the 5G wireless conversation and offering not just a voice of reason, but a reminder of how good government works.
The way the process has been managed thus far, it is not a matter of if the civil grand jury will issue a report describing everything government could have done better — with more transparency and increased public engagement — but when.
Any new technology that forces changes to countywide wireless facilities ordinances untouched for 20 years will present challenges. Some towns and cities are reacting as if their backs are against a wall, expressing a need to respond urgently to FCC imposed “shot clocks.” Let’s not forget, Verizon and the Marin General Services Authority signed a lease agreement for the placement of small-cells on streetlights in July 2017 and had been talking about this possibility since late 2016.
The situation calls for countywide collaboration, as suggested, but which government entity can play that unifying role? The county remains focused on the delayed implementation of its enterprise business software. The other logical candidate, the Marin Telecommunications Agency, didn’t mention any of this until their June 2018 meeting and recently hired a new executive officer with no relevant telecom experience to work half-time on cable TV mandates.
Whoever is chosen to lead, the “team” should be balanced by a public advisory group with a real voice at the table.
September 25, 2018
Marin Independent Journal
By Bruce Vogen, San Anselmo
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