Bug Tussel proposal tabled
By Ted Pennekamp
In addition to adopting the county’s budget at its budget hearing Tuesday, the county board was to hear a presentation from Bug Tussel of Green Bay about a wireless grant involving high-speed, broadband internet.
No representatives of Bug Tussel were present at the meeting, however.
County residents Alvin Felch and Lila Marmel of Clayton Township spoke against the county entering into a broadband expansion Grant application/partnership with Hilbert Communications of Hilbert, Wis., which is the parent company of Bug Tussel. Jay McCloskey of 3C Co-op also spoke against the proposed partnership. 3C Co-op has been working towards bringing underground, fiber-optic cable high-speed internet to the unserved and underserved rural areas of the county for the past few years.
“The county board should consider the citizen impact of towers on the landscape,” said Felch while holding up a flashing red light. “Having flashing lights on the ridges will destroy the atmosphere of the Kickapoo River Valley. We should have undisturbed skylines.”
Marmel said communication towers, as proposed by Bug Tussel, also reduce property values.
“The county has 3,605 residents who don’t have access to high-speed internet,” said McCloskey. Crawford County needs a solid plan.”
McCloskey said 3C Co-op has formed a partnership with Vernon Communications Cooperative to bring fiber-optic high-speed internet to the county at a price of $50 per month per customer. He said phone service and entertainment service can also be part of the package.
“In less time than it takes to put one cell tower up, the county can form a study committee to form a solid plan,” said McCloskey.
“We’ve been remiss in our preparation,” said Supervisor Don Stirling regarding obtaining high speed internet for the county. “We have not checked it out.”
Supervisor Greg Russell also spoke against moving forward with a partnership with Bug Tussel before checking into all options. “We really don’t completely understand it yet,” said Russell, who noted that he didn’t want a quick band aid approach.
Supervisor Gerald Krachey was in favor of the Bug Tussel proposal so that high-speed internet could be brought to Wauzeka-Steuben Public School students as soon as possible. Krachey said the partnership with Bug Tussel wouldn’t cost the county a dime.
Stirling said Bug Tussel has withdrawn from the proposed partnership because of resistance on the part of some county board members and county citizens. Stirling said Bug Tussel President Steve Schneider even suggested that the county form a study committee.
County Board President Tom Cornford was in favor of the proposed Bug Tussel partnership. “Competition is good and business is good (for the county),” said Cornford.
After the discussion had ended, the board voted 8-7 in favor of tabling the Bug Tussel grant application/partnership proposal.
Getting broadband, high-speed internet service to the unserved and underserved areas of the county has been a concern for many years for residents and businesses. It has been brought to the forefront in recent months due to several area schools having some of their instruction being done virtually due to the COVID pandemic.
There was an informational meeting held on Nov. 5 at which there were several Bug Tussel representatives and county board members. Stirling said Bug Tussel decided to withdraw its proposal due to resistance from some in the county. Stirling also said he has received numerous calls from his constituents who are not in favor of the Bug Tussel proposal.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, Stirling said the county should ask several questions about obtaining high-speed internet for its underserved areas.
Perhaps some of those questions can include:
•Who can provide high-speed internet, and what are the pros and cons of each company or co-op?
•How long will it take to get it up and running?
•How much will be the cost per customer?
•What are the upload and download speeds?
•What services are provided?
•Are 5G towers or fiber-optic affected by bad weather?
•Will there be a cost to the county?
•What is the best long-term solution for the county and its residents?
