Another port commissioner joins broadband team

Port working with county broadband action team

Kirk Boxleitner | Mar 30, 20230

Port of Grapeview Commissioner Jean Farmer, citing her “long history of interest in broadband” for rural communities, will join Port of Allyn Commissioner Ted Jackson on the task force charged with expanding broadband in Mason County.

“As a port commissioner and a business owner, I personally saw the lack of connection for many of us,” Farmer told the Herald. “I hope all of us coming together will have a positive impact on our communities.”

As with Jackson, Farmer was invited by Dan Teuteberg, an associate professor, 4-H youth development regional specialist and director of Washington State University Extension programs in Mason and Grays Harbor counties.

Farmer echoed Teuteberg’s view that the development of local broadband and “digital equity action” plans, with the support of WSU Extension and the Washington State Broadband Office, should promote the “expansion of affordable and reliable broadband,” and ensure everyone has the “devices and ability to use the internet.”

Farmer traced her history of “strong support” of broadband back years to when she too was a Port of Allyn commissioner.

“I understand the importance of public safety, education and economic development, as well as how they’re all tied into broadband,” Farmer said. “We all saw our shortcomings these past couple of years, as the pandemic put those out front for all of us, while we sought to work and continue our education from home.”

Farmer said she looks forward to working with the Mason County Broadband Action Team, “putting together a plan for our communities.”

Farmer informed her fellow Port of Grapeview commissioners of her role on the “Building Broadband” committee March 21, as she noted the number of areas within Mason County “that don’t even have the internet,” and pledged to keep her fellow commissioners up to date on the committee’s doings.

That same meeting saw Port of Grapeview Commissioner Mike Blaisdell sum up the progress of the Wi-Fi hotspot installation that the commission approved in August.

Blaisdell reiterated that the installation would be provided at no cost by Mason County Public Utility District 3. He acknowledged the project had been delayed due to disagreements between the port and the PUD over the location of the utility pole, and questions about what type of pole could be used on the port’s property on Grapeview Loop Road.

According to Port of Grapeview Commissioner Art Whitson, the PUD “told me they have to follow certain protocols, the pole being one of them,” but otherwise, he expressed confidence that, “if I gave them the thumbs-up tomorrow, the PUD could drop the pole in the hole, and hook up the Wi-Fi,” to have free Wi-Fi ready with time to spare for this year’s Water and Art Festival.

“They agreed to move the pole a little bit up the hill,” Whitson said. “It’s more in line with the fence, and right in front of the power cabinet.”