Letters split over proposed island fibre internet referendum
Two letters in the November 12 Grapevine took opposing positions on the November 27 referendum for fibre internet service on Denman and Hornby.
The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2021-11-12 · compiled 2026-10-01
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Letters in the November 12 issue of The Islands Grapevine disagreed over the proposed fibre internet service for Denman and Hornby Islands, with one urging a “YES” vote and another arguing that faster internet would not prevent gentrification. [1]
The letter supporting the proposal said a yes vote would allow the Comox Valley Regional District to borrow about $770,000 toward installation costs and repay the loan over 10 years through a charge on annual property taxes. It said general voting was scheduled for November 27 at the Denman Seniors Centre. [1]
A second letter writer said internet access was important for people working online and students taking classes remotely, and described slowdowns and interruptions in their own internet service. The letter argued that the island’s affordability pressures were already present. [1]
The November 2 Local Trust Committee minutes also record the Electoral Area Director reporting that the referendum on fibre-optic service was scheduled for November 27. [2]
Sources
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The Islands Grapevine, 2021-11-12
This referendum is the chance of our lifetimes to bring high quality, reasonable cost internet, television and telephone services to Denman and Hornby Islands.
link checked · passage found in the document we hold
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Denman LTC Special Meeting Minutes — 2021-11-02
The high speed internet initiative referendum vote to bring fibre optic service to Denman and Hornby Islands will take place on November 27;
link checked · passage found in the document we hold
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