Letter to the editor: Fiber optic questions

Frontier TeleNet is an ORS 190 public service organization jointly held by Sherman, Wheeler and Gilliam counties. County judges and the North Central Education Service District superintendent are board members.

These public servants work for us and are expected to be ethical, impartial and transparent in their performance.

Local chatter about our fiber optic telecommunications system inspired a look at Frontier TeleNet’s meeting minutes, 2015-current, and those of their partners, Frontier Digital Network, Frontier Regional 911 Agency and North Central Education Service District (NCESD); Sherman County Court, Gilliam County Court, Sherman County School District, and City of Condon Fiber Committee minutes; East Oregonian legal notices; The Times-Journal; and relevant websites.

It’s on record that Windwave, a subsidiary of Inland Development Corporation, installed Sherman County telecommunications fiber and has total use of it, and that Frontier TeleNet is a wholesaler of bandwidth and decides who can purchase Sherman County fiber. At least one Internet service provider was denied access.

Notable and disappointing is the lack of planning, process, transparency and collaboration in the development and implementation of this system.

Records suggest personal aspects of decision-making and little interest in working with other entities, and include few references to legal notices or contracts.

In June, Sherman County School District considered two fiber proposals, including one from Frontier TeleNet which has fiber near the school, then contracted with NineNet Consortium, selecting the best possible services for students. The E-Rate reimbursement follows the provider.

It appears that Frontier TeleNet did not anticipate or keep pace with the fiber competition.

In August, before a need, position description or compensation range were established in an open session, Frontier TeleNet advertised for a new position, director of marketing, with extremely specific qualifications and short response period.

According to records of Sept. 27, this ad resulted in one applicant, Michael D. Smith, recorded as Connections, LLC in the minutes. Connections, LLC was registered with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division by Michael D. Smith on October 10, 2016.

In September the City of Condon Fiber Committee received four responses to a request for proposals from potential providers of fiber optic high speed broadband, including Frontier TeleNet.

Ask questions! Subscribe to a local newspaper! Support and appreciate people who exercise integrity and transparency in performing the duties of public servants.

Sherry Kaseberg

Wasco