by Becca Vargo Daggett Institute for Local Self-Reliance--New Rules Project-- www.newrules.org/info/minneapolis --December 2005
This report is helpful for those that support a public ownership model, but are in need of a compelling way to argue against private ownership. Although the report was originally intended for the city of Minneapolis, with a little tweaking, it could easily be tailored to any given city considering network ownership models. By presenting a number of suggestions and successful examples of public ownership, Daggett offers her readers the opportunity to "act now". The report opens with a call to urgency, providing a brief introduction to the many faulty assumptions Minneapolis made when choosing a private ownership model. Following this concise introduction, Daggett offers a brief, chronological outline of the decision-making process that led to the city embracing a private ownership model. In an attempt to reverse the effects of these previous decisions, Daggett counters with the argument that public ownership is a valid option. This claim is grounded on the principle that the City's justifications in favor of private ownership are unfounded, while the validity of public ownership is exemplified in a number of similar initiatives within and without Minnesota. With this in mind, the reader is asked to take the next steps and urge Minneapolis to reconsider the private model in favor of a public model. Daggett concludes by suggesting next steps for the City Council, local organizations and individuals. A sample letter to the City Council and a handout entitled the "Ten Myths About a Publicly Owned Network, and the Facts" provide an easy course to action. For the complete report, sample letter and Ten Myths handout: http://newrules.org/info/mplswireless/mplswirelesspacket.pdf