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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 5, 2005 GUEST FORUM The debt reality causes all to take a second look at AFN By Erik Wallbank Ashland Some years ago, Pete Lovrovich, who was the head of the electric department, approached me to support him and the idea of creating a fiber network, to be owned by the city. At the time, I told him that I would not be able to support the project because I didn’t see it as being a necessity, like electric utilities, or even the hospital. So now, when I hear residents speaking out to get rid of AFN, I can sympathize with them, but I think there is another aspect to think about. The AFN debt is an Ashland debt. I spoke out about this project at the beginning, but now, like everyone else who owns property in Ashland, I share in that debt. Because of that, I would like to see the best possible decision made for the future of AFN. What Ashlanders need to know is that whatever economic consequences are suffered by AFN will be suffered also by Ashland residents. Because of this, I think it is important to see AFN as part of our town and do all that is possible to make it profitable. What I think needs to happen, is a grass roots effort, orchestrated by the City Council to enlist Ashlanders to make contact with other Ashlanders, to persuade them to use AFN rather than another service, out of a concern for the fortunes of our town. This could be coupled with citywide phone calls, music parties or whatever else could get the word out that we need to use and support this service. But it is the council that brought about AFN, and the council needs to build a grass roots strategy to make it profitable. It is in all our interest for this to happen. When the council asks me to be part of a phone campaign or to help arrange a music night to support AFN, I am ready. AFN is a failure and it needs help from the townspeople to turn it around. Why would anyone use another service if it will increase our own personal debt? I ask the council to begin a campaign, using Ashlanders, to turn AFN around. Letters to the Editor and Guest Forums should be e-mailed in text-only format to [email protected]. Please include your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached for confirmation. Submissions cannot have run in any other publication. Letters are limited to 250 words, Guest Forums are limited to 600 words, and may be edited for length, content and clarity. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams