[Davisgig] DavisGIG needs YOU!

[Robert Nickerson]

*

Greetings Davisites


Our effort to bring a community fiber-optic network to Davis proceeds -- 
with some good news to report.


First,DavisGIG <http://www.davisgig.org/>has teamed up with the long 
time Davis nonprofit,Davis Community Network <http://www.dcn.org/>, to 
be our fiscal agent, to collect funds, and assist with our campaign to 
build this network.


Second, the Broadband Advisory Task Force, which City Council authorized 
in Dec 2015, had its first meeting March 23rd, and its composition is a 
powerhouse of community leaders. They have come together to make a 
recommendation to our city council on the best course of action to 
create a world-class, fiber-optic network for Davis. Nearly half of the 
BATF membership have been involved with the DavisGIG effort, and are 
aware of what we want to accomplish. We need to educate the remaining 
Task Force members of how much we all value a community-owned 
alternative to Internet Duopoly.


Third, for the City to move forward, we will need  a Feasibility Study 
Report that objectively evaluates options for a fiber-optic deployment 
for Davis. We want this to be prepared by a professional broadband 
planning consultancy. DavisGIG volunteers have completed and are ready 
to publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit a vendor for this report.


We believe it would be a very powerful statement to our community 
leaders if we funded this report from contributions made by everyone 
from our City! If we match our ardor with a small investment, it will 
demonstrate to City leaders how important this will be to our community. 
An investment in our City's infrastructure is an investment in your 
future. Pleasedonate <http://www.davisgig.org>today! Link at bottom! And 
be ready to help on May 3rd, theBig Day of Giving 
<https://bigdayofgiving.org/>!


We also need your help NOW to convince our City leaders we want better 
Internet options. We want equal network access opportunities for all 
residents, lower prices and better service, through competitive choice, 
and a boost for our economy. One of the many benefits to community 
ownership would mean a portion of our monthly broadband payments 
returned to support our city.


There are THREE (3) ways we are asking everyone to help move this 
project forward.


1) Make a tax-deductible*donation <http://www.davisgig.org>at the bottom 
of our page  to help pay for the study we need. Consider DavisGIG on 
theBig Day of Giving <https://goo.gl/CY3USP>


2) Send a letter about your broadband experiences, and what you would 
like for Davis’ broadband future to the staff liaison of theBroadband 
Advisory Task Force 
<http://cityofdavis.org/city-hall/commissions-and-committees/broadband-advisory-task-force>, 
please forward a copy to help at dcn.org


3) Forward this message to your friends, neighborhood lists, and 
community groups.


With your help we can address many problems our City faces with this one 
solution. We can diversify the economy, attract and retain businesses, 
provide better, cheaper Internet connections to our residences, address 
digital-divide issues, and create new revenues for our city.


In Appreciation


Davis GIG Committee

Davis Community Network


*The Davis Community Network is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and 
contributions to it qualify as charitable under federal and state tax 
codes. Earmark your contribution for DavisGIG to specify its use for 
efforts to bring municipal fiber to Davis.

*
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