A quick update on the situation in Monticello… NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors) recently filed a Amicus brief in the ongoing Monticello ordeal.
Here’s the blurb from their site with a link to the actual brief:
Consistent with its long-standing support of community broadband, and its current Broadband Principles and other initiatives, NATOA filed an Amicus Brief before the Minnesota Court of Appeals in the case of Bridgewater Telephone Company, Inc. v. City of Monticello. Bridgewater is suing the City of Monticello to prevent the City from using revenue bonds to finance its fiber to the home project. Earlier this year, a Minnesota trial court ruled in favor of the City that its fiber project should be considered a “public convenience” for which revenue bonds could be utilized to finance the project. NATOA’s brief argues that not only is the fiber project a “public convenience,” but broadband infrastructure should be considered a utility. In addition, NATOA’s brief highlights the importance of broadband infrastructure as an economic, educational, and social tool.
The Amicus Brief is amazingly readable for a legal document – although I prefer the quote from FDR to the mathematical equation that explains the grammar of the statute. (I’m adding that as a teaser – though it is true.)
