Legislators -Municipal communications utility
THE CITY OF
City Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 phone
(563) 589-4149 fax
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
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March 14, 2005
VIA Email and
1 st Class Mail
<<Email>>
<<CompleteLOCALName _Add ress)>
Dear <<Title>) <<Last>>,
I am writing to ask you to vote no to legislation that would prevent a city from
establishing and operating a municipal communications utility. Communities
across the State of Iowa are considering establishing a communications utility to
provide a vehicle for companies to offer state-of-the-art services to citizens and
businesses. According to recent Consumer Reports information, cable
subscribers in only two percent (2%) of American markets have a choice of cable
companies. The remaining 98% of communities are forced to accept the fees
charged by these cable companies. In Dubuque alone since the 1996 cable
industry deregulation our cable television rate has increased 107% for the
average homeowner. The average citizen is now forced to pay more for their
cable television than they do for their city taxes.
Establishing a communications utility for Dubuque is a legislative priority for the
City Council. Broadband, or high-speed internet access, is essential for business
and is quickly becoming essential at home as well. The City of Dubuque needs a
competitive environment to get affordable, universal, state-of-the-art
communications services. This is much bigger than cable television and is
essential to continued progress in Dubuque.
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Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
I encourage you to oppose any legislation that would limit opportunities for cities
to create a municipal communications utility.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:cms
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
2600 Renaissance Dr #3
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Pam Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Steven Lukan
Iowa State Representative
7365 Columbus Street
New Vienna IA 52065
The Honorable Tom Hancock
Iowa State Senator
310 E Main Street
Epworth, lA, 52045
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Ray Zirkelbach
Iowa State Representative
637 W. First Street
Monticello, IA 52310
The Honorable Roger Stewart
Iowa State Senator
3936317 Avenue
Preston, IA 52069
The Honorable Thomas
Schueller
Iowa State Representative
503 W. Platt Street
Maquoketa, IA 52060