I attended the Cambridge Economic Development Board informational meeting held at the Cambridge Community Building about a replacement store for the Duckwall's that is closing. (BTW - Duckwall's/ALCO, go pound sand!) ED put on an interesting meeting letting folks know what they are doing to try and get a replacement variety store to replace Duckwall's, and to be sure, this seems like a huge undertaking for the ED board.
I've been critical of ED on this blog in the past, but this time, I'm on ED's side. The board has attempted to contact several "chain" type variety stores, but only Dollar General responded, and their response was related to the crowd as "maybe, but don't hold your breath".
ED wants to fast track this project for several reasons. There are 5 people about to lose their jobs, and the city is about to lose $26,000 a year in sales tax revenue. Not only that, but ED feels that it will adversely effect other downtown business as well.
It looks like ED is locked into the old Duckwall's location, and has gone so far as spend money on the store shelves and fixtures. We were informed that the city has charged Duckwall's around $1100 per month rent.
To me though, the meeting asked many more questions than were answered. First up, I think ED is putting the cart ahead of the horse on this. While it would be desirable to open a new store ASAP, there is no real business plan that I can tell other than a business "model" from the town of Clark, South Dakota.
There is no lawyer involved with the plan so far... how can you ask for investment if you don't have some kind of plan other than... "we want to keep the management and employees the same as is now". The problem with that is that the current management has limited control over the local Duckwall's, especially when it comes to investor relations.
The town wants investors... Get a management team to be responsible or everything ED does about investing and setting up the business could be not what the new management would want or can even use legally.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Some Fun For A Change
I got to looking at the old blogs I've written here at the Clarion, and I decided I needed to change. How about some fun today?
I love poking around the Internet and find some rather comical things now and then. Today I offer a real life Roadrunner "cartoon" based on the old Coyote/Roadrunner cartoons. Even the ACME company gets involved!
I love poking around the Internet and find some rather comical things now and then. Today I offer a real life Roadrunner "cartoon" based on the old Coyote/Roadrunner cartoons. Even the ACME company gets involved!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Just Another Business Decision
The front page news about Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. closing their Duckwall's stores is a fine example of a corporation trying to do what they do best... make money.
I have no idea how much sales tax is generated by Duckwall's in Cambridge, but I'd guess it is a substantial amount. Oh well, Duckwall's has no reason to care about the town of Cambridge... after all, "Customers of a number of the Duckwall stores will find broad line ALCO stores located within driving distance." Well now, I bet that is comforting for the 5 folks that will soon be unemployed at our towns Duckwalls. My mother, who doesn't drive and has no car has walked to Duckwall's. Now for her, "driving distance" is as close as the moon.
Well, I suppose that is the American way anymore. According to the Clarion news article, the ALCO CEO stated "These stores account for only 3.9% of sales and little or no profit.". That statement alone to me says ALCO doesn't care at all about anything but money. The fact that only 3.9% of sales was generated, the sales did not mean a loss to the bottom line based on the CEO's own statement.
OK, so it costs more to operate these small variety stores in the more remote locations and I appreciate that, especially with our nationwide down economy. The fact that the town supported Duckwall's though and kept 5 people working, generating state and federal income tax funding, sales tax revenue for the town, and it didn't cost the company anything should be the emphasis for ALCO.
Instead, ALCO chooses to leave many small towns with a big retail sales hole, unemployed folks, reduced tax revenues, and they expect us to be happy that there is an ALCO store within driving distance???
GO POUND SAND ALCO as far as I'm concerned. Other than visiting the Duckwall's in Cambridge until it is closed, I will never set foot in any ALCO store!!! I will spread as much ill-will about your company as good-will you pulled from our town with your business decision that profit is more important than people and communities.
I have no idea how much sales tax is generated by Duckwall's in Cambridge, but I'd guess it is a substantial amount. Oh well, Duckwall's has no reason to care about the town of Cambridge... after all, "Customers of a number of the Duckwall stores will find broad line ALCO stores located within driving distance." Well now, I bet that is comforting for the 5 folks that will soon be unemployed at our towns Duckwalls. My mother, who doesn't drive and has no car has walked to Duckwall's. Now for her, "driving distance" is as close as the moon.
Well, I suppose that is the American way anymore. According to the Clarion news article, the ALCO CEO stated "These stores account for only 3.9% of sales and little or no profit.". That statement alone to me says ALCO doesn't care at all about anything but money. The fact that only 3.9% of sales was generated, the sales did not mean a loss to the bottom line based on the CEO's own statement.
OK, so it costs more to operate these small variety stores in the more remote locations and I appreciate that, especially with our nationwide down economy. The fact that the town supported Duckwall's though and kept 5 people working, generating state and federal income tax funding, sales tax revenue for the town, and it didn't cost the company anything should be the emphasis for ALCO.
Instead, ALCO chooses to leave many small towns with a big retail sales hole, unemployed folks, reduced tax revenues, and they expect us to be happy that there is an ALCO store within driving distance???
GO POUND SAND ALCO as far as I'm concerned. Other than visiting the Duckwall's in Cambridge until it is closed, I will never set foot in any ALCO store!!! I will spread as much ill-will about your company as good-will you pulled from our town with your business decision that profit is more important than people and communities.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Backup Plan
You may have noticed that the Clarion web site has experienced some down time lately. Well, it seems that the web site is back up with a new design and some new pages to go along with it.
There is an "Archives" page, but it isn't populated yet. I'd like to know what you think should be included in an archives page. My first thought is that the whole paper become available after 60 days for example. Lets hear your ideas!
The web site is considering adding some automated general interest content not available in the published newspaper.
Help us serve you. Give us your ideas that will make us better! Don't be afraid to post your comment and speak your mind!
There is an "Archives" page, but it isn't populated yet. I'd like to know what you think should be included in an archives page. My first thought is that the whole paper become available after 60 days for example. Lets hear your ideas!
The web site is considering adding some automated general interest content not available in the published newspaper.
Help us serve you. Give us your ideas that will make us better! Don't be afraid to post your comment and speak your mind!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Changes Wanted?
I couldn't help but notice the front page of the Clarion yesterday with two big stories... 1. The economic development director being terminated, and b... the Senior Center needs more people to stay in business.
I want to take a moment and address both these stories today as I think they could be related. The Cambridge Economic Development board terminated the ED director. Now the ED director was just in the news in the McCook Gazette about a personal grant received to develop a new Eco-Retreat. Now I don't know much about the former ED director and her personal plans, but if they in fact made a difference to the termination of her, I think it was wrong based on the newspaper article. The Clarion story made it sound like there was more to the ED's termination than "job performance" since the board declined comment about the relevence of the Gazette story.
I read the story in the Gazette, and to me, it smacked of a vendetta by somebody. There has been absolutely nothing done wrong as near as I can tell from the newspaper account, but the way it was written makes it sound like somebody should be in jail already. One item mentioned and I know personally to be true, getting construction folks in a timely manner is very difficult in this area in my opinion. I'm waiting months for a steel building myself.
Now if the Gazette article was not a factor in the ED director termination, I will be happy to back off on my above comments. No matter what the Gazette article implied, the facts according to the same article in the Gazette are that the former ED director still has time to complete the project before problems start to arise for them. In my opinion, a sensational story out of nothing so far. It may indeed come to pass, but it just as easy may not.
Now... on to the Senior Center.
I'm not a Senior Center customer. If you know me, you know that eating is difficult, and trying to talk and eat is messy at best and impossible at worst. Still, I'm probably one of the few people in town with that excuse so what's yours for not getting into downtown now and then? Margie gets into the Senior Center on occasion, and she told me yesterday that the Senior Center has a new huge flat screen TV that nobody watches {??}
Why not try renaming the Senior Center to the Cambridge Recreation Center. Open it up for kids and adults to watch and play. Get a pool table maybe unless folks around here have the same feelings the Iowans did in "The Music Man". Sell soft drinks, popcorn, show football on the weekends or perhaps a movie night or nights. Sponsor dances? Host demonstrations? Come on you town folks, think outside the box.
The reason I put these two stories together is they both point to some problems experienced by a town that wants to do something, but seems unable to find it's way when it comes to changes. As I've mentioned on this blog before, perhaps the way the town is now, you don't want it to change, and I can respect that, but when you fire someone for "performance issues" but can't get the curbs on main street fixed, it makes me wonder what direction the town really wants to go and what development is really wanted around here. If the town can't even keep a small enterprise like the quite popular Senior Center open, how do you expect to attract other business and jobs?
I want to take a moment and address both these stories today as I think they could be related. The Cambridge Economic Development board terminated the ED director. Now the ED director was just in the news in the McCook Gazette about a personal grant received to develop a new Eco-Retreat. Now I don't know much about the former ED director and her personal plans, but if they in fact made a difference to the termination of her, I think it was wrong based on the newspaper article. The Clarion story made it sound like there was more to the ED's termination than "job performance" since the board declined comment about the relevence of the Gazette story.
I read the story in the Gazette, and to me, it smacked of a vendetta by somebody. There has been absolutely nothing done wrong as near as I can tell from the newspaper account, but the way it was written makes it sound like somebody should be in jail already. One item mentioned and I know personally to be true, getting construction folks in a timely manner is very difficult in this area in my opinion. I'm waiting months for a steel building myself.
Now if the Gazette article was not a factor in the ED director termination, I will be happy to back off on my above comments. No matter what the Gazette article implied, the facts according to the same article in the Gazette are that the former ED director still has time to complete the project before problems start to arise for them. In my opinion, a sensational story out of nothing so far. It may indeed come to pass, but it just as easy may not.
Now... on to the Senior Center.
I'm not a Senior Center customer. If you know me, you know that eating is difficult, and trying to talk and eat is messy at best and impossible at worst. Still, I'm probably one of the few people in town with that excuse so what's yours for not getting into downtown now and then? Margie gets into the Senior Center on occasion, and she told me yesterday that the Senior Center has a new huge flat screen TV that nobody watches {??}
Why not try renaming the Senior Center to the Cambridge Recreation Center. Open it up for kids and adults to watch and play. Get a pool table maybe unless folks around here have the same feelings the Iowans did in "The Music Man". Sell soft drinks, popcorn, show football on the weekends or perhaps a movie night or nights. Sponsor dances? Host demonstrations? Come on you town folks, think outside the box.
The reason I put these two stories together is they both point to some problems experienced by a town that wants to do something, but seems unable to find it's way when it comes to changes. As I've mentioned on this blog before, perhaps the way the town is now, you don't want it to change, and I can respect that, but when you fire someone for "performance issues" but can't get the curbs on main street fixed, it makes me wonder what direction the town really wants to go and what development is really wanted around here. If the town can't even keep a small enterprise like the quite popular Senior Center open, how do you expect to attract other business and jobs?
Monday, July 12, 2010
New Clairion Web Site
Wow! I like the new design of the Clairions web page! Rugged Peak Design has done a nice job of making the site much more visually appealing in my opinion.
It's been a busy summer around our place the last couple months. The amber waves of grain have been disappearing as fast as the combines can go, and I've been busy working on my own web site.
Most of you don't know that Margie and are building what is becoming a popular RV camping web site. We've been at it for 7 years now, and what started out as a pretty simple hobby is now starting to look like it's almost time to turn it into a real business.
www.rv-camping.org got its start when Margie and I were living full time in our RV, and we wanted a way to group information about finding camping locations in one place. We started with paper folders, and quickly realized that the amount of information we were collecting would be much better stored electronically. That soon turned into a basic web site that morphed into the mini monster I seem to be constructing today.
I've made arrangements with Cambridge and Brush Colorado to provide official RV camping information for the towns. You can see the Cambrige web page here ---> Cambridge Medicine Creek Campground.
Take a look and let me know what you think would improve the page. Additionally, if you have ideas to improve the whole web site, I'd be happy to hear them. I started out with absolutely no knowledge of how to build a web site, and I think I've got a pretty good grasp moving forward, but it's people that use the Internet that have the best opinion.
It's been a busy summer around our place the last couple months. The amber waves of grain have been disappearing as fast as the combines can go, and I've been busy working on my own web site.
Most of you don't know that Margie and are building what is becoming a popular RV camping web site. We've been at it for 7 years now, and what started out as a pretty simple hobby is now starting to look like it's almost time to turn it into a real business.
www.rv-camping.org got its start when Margie and I were living full time in our RV, and we wanted a way to group information about finding camping locations in one place. We started with paper folders, and quickly realized that the amount of information we were collecting would be much better stored electronically. That soon turned into a basic web site that morphed into the mini monster I seem to be constructing today.
I've made arrangements with Cambridge and Brush Colorado to provide official RV camping information for the towns. You can see the Cambrige web page here ---> Cambridge Medicine Creek Campground.
Take a look and let me know what you think would improve the page. Additionally, if you have ideas to improve the whole web site, I'd be happy to hear them. I started out with absolutely no knowledge of how to build a web site, and I think I've got a pretty good grasp moving forward, but it's people that use the Internet that have the best opinion.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thanks Tri Valley!
Last night Tri Valley Health, as part of national hospital week, provided popcorn, pop, and the movie "Up" at Heritage Plaza. Over 35 folks showed up for a good time and the free show. Those of you that missed it, too bad for you! The movie was a hoot as far as we were concerned, and there was plenty of laughter going on around us so I'm pretty sure most that went enjoyed the performance.
So today I just want to say "thanks!" to Tri Valley.
So today I just want to say "thanks!" to Tri Valley.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Off The Grid
99% of the time Margie and I lived in our RV before we came to Cambridge, we lived off the power grid. We had solar panels with backup generator and we lived just fine in our opinion. We watched TV whenever we wanted, I spent most of the day working on my website via a satellite internet connection, we ran our micro wave some, but I admit we didn't use our air conditioner without the generator.
Todays Denver Post has an interesting article about Fowler Colorado. The town is just slightly larger than Cambridge, but they have some big plans about renewable energy, and some of you might be interested in what our western neighbors are doing.
Click the link... Denver Post Article
Todays Denver Post has an interesting article about Fowler Colorado. The town is just slightly larger than Cambridge, but they have some big plans about renewable energy, and some of you might be interested in what our western neighbors are doing.
Click the link... Denver Post Article
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
E.D.
We get bombarded with ED television commercials on a daily basis but this blog isn't about the dysfunction stuff sold on TV, it's about economic development in Cambridge. Headline news in Cambridge has ED firmly in the local spotlight. After reading the newspaper account of the last city council meeting, here is what one of the areas newer residents (me) got out of it...
Other than the town representatives, I didn't read of people thinking the 77 acre residential/commercial development plan makes much sense at the moment. There is property already available that isn't being developed, blighted property is a problem in town, and some streets are damaged while some are not even paved. It sounds like the city council may not be sure where they can spend the funds available legally either.
As an outsider, my opinion is worthless I know, but we moved here for a reason, and it wasn't because of the economic development plans of the town. We moved to the country to get away from development so I ask what is it REALLY you want your town to become? Since there is an economic development group in town, I'd say that growth is what the town has in mind at least to some extent.
First off, why would someone want to move to Cambridge? Is it the fine shopping experiences available here? How about the variety of fine dining establishments? The many cultural opportunities? Nope... probably not prime reasons for most folks considering a move to Cambridge. I'd think more that people would want to move to Cambridge because of the schools, small town atmosphere, and a job.
The new hospital addition could be a major catalyst for the town in my opinion. The recent re-opening of the ethanol plant shows that a commodity based economy can bite you when the commodity doesn't sell well. My hope is that the ethanol plant goes great guns, but you have to admit it's track record isn't the best just yet at under three years of age. The hospital will attract workers and there should be some place for them to buy, rent, or build. Not everyone wants to build a new house next to an old house just because the lot is available. Not everyone wants a house for that matter knowing that a rental unit is what they really need. Some folks want a big building lot, some don't.
Development won't happen overnight. Without a local economy generating numerous local high paying jobs, people end up going after the job and either commute or move away. Without the jobs that can support development and growth of the town, there seems little reason for folks of working age to move here. Outward migration will continue to happen without new job creation.
We see many folks working more than one job to make ends meet around here. As near as I can tell, a lot of farms don't support the farmers family without some additional income either. By a city slickers standard, that says that workers have to want to live here and it's not a place people think of when searching for opportunity. Seems to me that ED would be wise to find ways to attract new jobs in the area that are not agriculture based. Ag business is of course where we are now, but it doesn't have to be that way forever.
Other than the town representatives, I didn't read of people thinking the 77 acre residential/commercial development plan makes much sense at the moment. There is property already available that isn't being developed, blighted property is a problem in town, and some streets are damaged while some are not even paved. It sounds like the city council may not be sure where they can spend the funds available legally either.
As an outsider, my opinion is worthless I know, but we moved here for a reason, and it wasn't because of the economic development plans of the town. We moved to the country to get away from development so I ask what is it REALLY you want your town to become? Since there is an economic development group in town, I'd say that growth is what the town has in mind at least to some extent.
First off, why would someone want to move to Cambridge? Is it the fine shopping experiences available here? How about the variety of fine dining establishments? The many cultural opportunities? Nope... probably not prime reasons for most folks considering a move to Cambridge. I'd think more that people would want to move to Cambridge because of the schools, small town atmosphere, and a job.
The new hospital addition could be a major catalyst for the town in my opinion. The recent re-opening of the ethanol plant shows that a commodity based economy can bite you when the commodity doesn't sell well. My hope is that the ethanol plant goes great guns, but you have to admit it's track record isn't the best just yet at under three years of age. The hospital will attract workers and there should be some place for them to buy, rent, or build. Not everyone wants to build a new house next to an old house just because the lot is available. Not everyone wants a house for that matter knowing that a rental unit is what they really need. Some folks want a big building lot, some don't.
Development won't happen overnight. Without a local economy generating numerous local high paying jobs, people end up going after the job and either commute or move away. Without the jobs that can support development and growth of the town, there seems little reason for folks of working age to move here. Outward migration will continue to happen without new job creation.
We see many folks working more than one job to make ends meet around here. As near as I can tell, a lot of farms don't support the farmers family without some additional income either. By a city slickers standard, that says that workers have to want to live here and it's not a place people think of when searching for opportunity. Seems to me that ED would be wise to find ways to attract new jobs in the area that are not agriculture based. Ag business is of course where we are now, but it doesn't have to be that way forever.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Compared to...
I just returned from a trip to the Puget Sound area of Washington state, and the weather was about as nice as you could ever hope for there. Those of you familiar with the eastern side of the Cascade mountain range know that rain, gloom, and more rain is normal this time of year, but this years weather pattern has dealt well below normal rainfall, and well above average sunshine.
On the other hand, our place on Road 409 a bit north of town has received a little over 1.66 inches of rain since I got home night before last. The county road is the muddiest I've seen since we moved here just over two years ago, and taking a walk around our place found me sinking a couple inches into the mud with every step. I heard we had a half inch of rain before I got home, so a couple inches of rain in just over 2 days is sure soaking everything in sight.
When I think back to the spring rains in Colorado territory I had to work in as a telephone installer, I recall the goo type clay that would build up on my boots in the new construction areas I often worked. That clay would build up a good inch thick around and under the sole of my boots adding three or four pounds to each boot. The mud here doesn't stick when you sink in... I just leave a footprint where the mud gets displaced and keep on walking.
I suppose some folks don't care too much for the muddy roads we can get around here now and then. I know Margie doesn't exactly enjoy navigating to town when it gets like this. But compared to the super slab freeways I've been on lately with all the traffic and congestion, I'll take these muddy country roads any day.
Not only do we have muddy roads here, but the people that drive them wave. Try waving at drivers in the northwest, and they might think you're making an obscene gesture and start up a case of road rage at worst, or just look at you like you are crazy at least.
We are often asked how we got here since we don't have any family or friends in the area. All I can say is, compared to anywhere we've been, this is the best place we can be.
On the other hand, our place on Road 409 a bit north of town has received a little over 1.66 inches of rain since I got home night before last. The county road is the muddiest I've seen since we moved here just over two years ago, and taking a walk around our place found me sinking a couple inches into the mud with every step. I heard we had a half inch of rain before I got home, so a couple inches of rain in just over 2 days is sure soaking everything in sight.
When I think back to the spring rains in Colorado territory I had to work in as a telephone installer, I recall the goo type clay that would build up on my boots in the new construction areas I often worked. That clay would build up a good inch thick around and under the sole of my boots adding three or four pounds to each boot. The mud here doesn't stick when you sink in... I just leave a footprint where the mud gets displaced and keep on walking.
I suppose some folks don't care too much for the muddy roads we can get around here now and then. I know Margie doesn't exactly enjoy navigating to town when it gets like this. But compared to the super slab freeways I've been on lately with all the traffic and congestion, I'll take these muddy country roads any day.
Not only do we have muddy roads here, but the people that drive them wave. Try waving at drivers in the northwest, and they might think you're making an obscene gesture and start up a case of road rage at worst, or just look at you like you are crazy at least.
We are often asked how we got here since we don't have any family or friends in the area. All I can say is, compared to anywhere we've been, this is the best place we can be.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Who Cares?
First off, whether it be the city or the county, I appreciate the response to my last blog about washboard roads near Cambridge. Now I know it's not likely that anyone actually read my blog about he washboard area, but I like to think that I facilitated the road grader smoothing the road.
Which kind brings me to today's blog...
Does anybody ever read this stuff or am I just rambling along wasting Internet bandwidth and computer storage space? I guess I'm surprised nobody has commented to any of the blogs on the Clarion web sight other than me, so I am now thinking that I am the only one spending any time here at all... true?
If you read this blog, how about making a comment that you read it... I could care less that you agree or not, but I don't want to continue to write a blog here if nobody is reading it either.
Thanks for your response!
Which kind brings me to today's blog...
Does anybody ever read this stuff or am I just rambling along wasting Internet bandwidth and computer storage space? I guess I'm surprised nobody has commented to any of the blogs on the Clarion web sight other than me, so I am now thinking that I am the only one spending any time here at all... true?
If you read this blog, how about making a comment that you read it... I could care less that you agree or not, but I don't want to continue to write a blog here if nobody is reading it either.
Thanks for your response!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Washboard
This time of year sure shows where the weak spots are in our highways and roads. Our recent trip to Omaha reminded me of how bad things can get. Omaha's streets are full of potholes, and big ones at that. A short drive around town and if there is much traffic around, you will find it impossible to miss all the potholes Omaha has to offer.
Cambridge streets seem to be in great shape, that is except for a couple blocks of gravel heading north of town on road 409 going past the west side of the golf course. I don't know if the county maintains that first 1/4 mile north of town heading to the dump or not, but with the snow, thawing, cold, thaw and heavy traffic, washboard is a mild description for the surface condition.
Though I dislike that 1/4 mile of washboard, I'll take it anyday over the crowded and pothole infested streets of Omaha! Getting out of the local area gives us a great reminder why we decided to settle here... washboard and all.
Cambridge streets seem to be in great shape, that is except for a couple blocks of gravel heading north of town on road 409 going past the west side of the golf course. I don't know if the county maintains that first 1/4 mile north of town heading to the dump or not, but with the snow, thawing, cold, thaw and heavy traffic, washboard is a mild description for the surface condition.
Though I dislike that 1/4 mile of washboard, I'll take it anyday over the crowded and pothole infested streets of Omaha! Getting out of the local area gives us a great reminder why we decided to settle here... washboard and all.
Monday, January 4, 2010
High Speed
I see that Pinpoint has wrapped up their fiber optic cable project here in Cambridge so as a former phone company employee, I just can't resist making a comment...
DSL internet service has been available for folks in Cambridge for at least two years and more likely closer to 7 to 10 years, though I can only vouch for the last 2. I've worked with DSL as a phone company employee, and tried using it for internet access as a subscriber when we lived in Colorado, and as far as I'm concerned, the service was expensive and didn't deliver consistent reliable speeds. My limited experience with DSL in Cambridge is that it is reliable, but not particularly fast.
Since we moved to Nebraska, I considered myself fortunate that I had access to a great wireless a internet connection provided by Arapahoe Telephone Company that was much faster than DSL at a better price. I am as you may have guessed, a heavy Internet user, and service speed and reliability are as important to me as a tractor is to a farmer.
Now another option for high speed is the new fiber optics provided by the phone company, and if the hype I've read about other fiber internet providers holds true for Pinpoint, folks should be very satisfied with the speed of their hookup.
Since I have not seen the rates that will be charged by Pinpoint for their new high speed service, I can only guess that they will be higher than the rate for DSL high speed service they currently offer. I'm pretty sure Pinpoint will charge as much as the market will bear for the new service as they want and need to recover as much of their construction costs as quickly as possible.
My advice... shop around before pumping your greenbacks into any new service. There are wireless options available from providers like Arapahoe Telephone Company and Verizon that may offer you the best bang for your buck.
DSL internet service has been available for folks in Cambridge for at least two years and more likely closer to 7 to 10 years, though I can only vouch for the last 2. I've worked with DSL as a phone company employee, and tried using it for internet access as a subscriber when we lived in Colorado, and as far as I'm concerned, the service was expensive and didn't deliver consistent reliable speeds. My limited experience with DSL in Cambridge is that it is reliable, but not particularly fast.
Since we moved to Nebraska, I considered myself fortunate that I had access to a great wireless a internet connection provided by Arapahoe Telephone Company that was much faster than DSL at a better price. I am as you may have guessed, a heavy Internet user, and service speed and reliability are as important to me as a tractor is to a farmer.
Now another option for high speed is the new fiber optics provided by the phone company, and if the hype I've read about other fiber internet providers holds true for Pinpoint, folks should be very satisfied with the speed of their hookup.
Since I have not seen the rates that will be charged by Pinpoint for their new high speed service, I can only guess that they will be higher than the rate for DSL high speed service they currently offer. I'm pretty sure Pinpoint will charge as much as the market will bear for the new service as they want and need to recover as much of their construction costs as quickly as possible.
My advice... shop around before pumping your greenbacks into any new service. There are wireless options available from providers like Arapahoe Telephone Company and Verizon that may offer you the best bang for your buck.
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