THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13. 2013
LAWRENCE
PAGE 3
Funding for Internet service under city's consideration
CALEB SISK
csisk@kansan.com
Local Internet provider Wicked Broadband has plans to establish a super-fiber-optic service to residents of downtown Lawrence. The project would give Lawrence some of the fastest Internet speeds in the country, much like the Google Fiber project in Kansas City.
Although the 1-gigabit service would costaround $100 a month for individual users, Wicked officials plan on providing it free-of-charge to a number of organizations, including Lawrence City Hall, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Public Library, New York Elementary School and the Douglas County Courthouse.
Despite the ambition of Wicked, one glaring roadblock stands in the way: funding.
However, without a substantial grant from the city, the project will go unfinished and Wicked will likely have to sell its existing fiber-optic network. Wicked has promises from private lenders in the amount of $500,000, but they will not fully pledge their money without full support from the city.
The pilot project plans to service the downtown area and a portion of East Lawrence. Nearly 1,100 resident homes and businesses will have access to a service promising to revolutionize how Lawrence residents use broadband.
With this in mind, Wicked has proposed that the city commission lend them another $500,000 so that the project can reach completion. The city commission seems unconvinced at this point, mainly due to the fact that this is a proposal from an individual company, and they
feel a number of proposals from multiple technology companies should be considered.
The city has been considering the proposal since its submission in May. A major concern is the cost — consultants have estimated that a citywide fiber-optic project would cost somewhere in the range of $35 million to develop and install.
Wicked Broadband plans to hold a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Cider Gallery on 810 Pennsylvania St. This meeting will serve as an opportunity for residents and businesses to pose any questions they may have about the pilot project.
Students on campus gave their thoughts on the project and whether or not they would be willing to pay the hefty price.
— Edited by Kayla Overbey
STUDENTS ON THE STREET
"I don't really care how fast my Internet is, so I probably wouldn't pay for this."
NATALIE CHABOT Freshman from Wichita
"Internet speed isn't a top priority for me, but I would still pay for this service given how much faster it would be."
SAM COONROD Junior from Manhattan
I would definitely pay for this service. My current provider runs slow and goes out at inopportune times."
KAYLA FINKS
Junior from Fresno, Calif.
"I would like to have faster Internet, but I most likely wouldn't be able to afford the higher rate at this point."
"There is nothing more annoying to me than slow internet speeds, so I would definitely pay for this."
JON SALAZAR
Junior from Dallas
JORDAN DRINGMAN Senior from Olathe
"I use my internet for Xbox Live, so faster internet would help resolve connectivity issues."
JEFF BOWEN
Junior from Shawnee
MOVIE
Spencer Museum to give screening of foreign film
and Kiefer Sutherland.
If you're a fan of rom-coms or foreign films, you might be interested in checking out "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" a film that explores the themes of sexuality, friendship and family. The Spencer Museum of Art will show a free screening of the movie on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.
The movie is about a middle-aged man, Weichung, whose wife wants to have another child. However, Weichung begins to question his sexual orientation as his long-supressed gay past comes into light. Family drama also enues as Weichung's sister, Mandy, begins to question her impending marriage.
The film screening is sponsored by on-campus groups such as the Center of East Asian Studies, KU Queens & Allies and the Confucius Institute.
This Taiwanese film made its American debut in the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It played alongside movies starring acclaimed actors such as Paul Rudd, Ethan Hawke, Kate Hudson
— Callie Byrnes
EQUALITY
Hawaii Senate passes bill for gay marriage
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU — The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday legalizing gay marriage, putting Hawaii a signature away from becoming a same-sex wedding destination.
President Barack Obama praised the bill's passage, saying the affirmation of freedom and equality makes the country stronger.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called lawmakers to a special session for the bill and has vocally supported gay marriage, said in a statement he will sign the measure. It will allow thousands of gay couples living in Hawaii and even more tourists to marry in the state starting Dec. 2.
"I've always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today's vote makes me even prouder," Obama said.
"I look forward to signing this significant piece of legislation, which provides marriage equity and fully recognizes and protects religious freedoms," Abercrombie said.
Senators passed the bill 19-4 with two lawmakers excused Cheers erupted inside and outside the gallery when the vote was taken, with a smattering of boos. Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, who voted against the bill, banged her gavel and told members of the public to quiet down.
More than half the chamber's lawmakers spoke in support of the bill, with many urging the public to come together to heal divisions within the community.
"This is nothing more than the expansion of aloha in Hawaii," said Sen. J. Kalani English, a Democrat from Maui.
Sen. Sam Slom, the chamber's only Republican, said the government should stay out of legislating marriage.
"People have differences, and you can't legislate morality. You can try, but you can't do it," Slom said before voting against the bill.
An estimate from a University of Hawaii researcher says the law will boost tourism by $217 million over the next three
The biggest building on campus is Malott Hall. At 325,000 square feet, it is almost as big as all five Jayhawk Towers buildings
combined.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 37-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 2400 block of 24th Terrace on suspicion of criminal damage to property. A $250 bond was paid.
- A 51-year-old female was arrested Monday on Kansas Highway 10 on suspicion of habitual violator of driving under the influence. A $1,500 bond was paid.
Emily Donovan
years, as Hawaii becomes an outlet for couples in other states, bringing ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons to the islands. The study's author has said Hawaii would benefit from pent-up demand for gay weddings, with couples spending $166 million over those three years on ceremonies and honeymooms.
The Senate took up the bill a second time because of changes made in the House, where the bill was amended and eventually passed.
The House amendments delayed the dates ceremonies could begin, slightly expanded an exemption for clergy and religious organizations, and removed regulations determining how children of same-sex couples could qualify for Native Hawaiian benefits.
Sen. Clayton Hee, who steered the bill's passage in the chamber, said the measure was good even though he believes the religious protections granted are too broad. He said the final bill was a good compromise.
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