Moderator: Dale Taylor, moderator.
Announcements:
Jeannie Sparks is moderating the 5 candidates or their representatives.
Questions are submitted on paper to the moderator.
Ken Owen. Economic development is most important. Telecommunications is important to forward that goal. It also improves people to people and people to government communications. Other advantages are reduced car travel and improved workplace conditions for working mothers. He maintains Gails web page.
Steve Wheeler. The independent congressional candidate. Considers himself in the middle between the Democratic and Republican candidates. Not prepared to give a lot of opinion on telecommunications. Concerned with the environment and unification of governmental goals.
Steve Boyd. Likes the SCTA message and communications. Walter is at the Democratic Convention. Fiscal conservative. Wants to better represent the region than it has been: Family values, etc. High Tech jobs are important to the region as is telecommunications. Wants to connect all public schools to the internet.
Submitted Questions:
1) The tele revolution is changing the way we interact, do business and learn. What will you do to insure SB will stay out in front in telecommunications technology?
Steve Wheeler: Defense conversion of technology for a better economy.
Steve Boyd: It's important to encourage development of technology and also not saddle it with too many regulations. Defense conversion including satellites for low earth orbit. Freedom on the Internet and continued low cost are very important.
Ken Owen: The internet was created by the government for defense. Government incentives would be the best for making our community best.
Willy Chamberlain: Hands off is best, but the county government should themselves use networking to improve their operation. Private enterprise is the main driver for improved economy.
2)What is your policy about cryptography?
Steve Boyd: The government has a role. We need to work with industry to find solutions to the porn problems. Cryptography needs to be the business of the business community for international competition. We also need to support the efforts of the intelligence agencies.
Steve Wheeler: Against the V chip and any attempts to censor communication. The decency act would censor a variety of non-offensive topics.
Ken Owen: We should not censor the Internet, but help arm individuals with the needed tools to individually make their own censorship decisions.
Willy Chamberlain: Local government has no role. Ordinary people need something to assure their children do not access forbidden materials.
3)What would you do to insure universal access-- would cable TV be part of this solution?
Willy Chamberlain: Wants to see competition. But if an exclusive franchise is practical, service should be provided in all areas including the low return ones.
Ken: Government has a role in insuring universal access. County government has an obligation to seek public input on such resources. Right now service is available on a free enterprise basis from a variety of providers.
Steve Wheeler: The breakup of Bell has allowed the technological progress of the last 12 years. The Telecommunications act of 1995 allows the monopolies to once again form.
Steve Boyd: Education and public resources like libraries need access.
4)Action items: Role of libraries. What will you do to motivate GTE to do a better job. What can be done to make continuing education more accessible.
Ken: Implementation-- consult with the industry. County government can attract businesses. Yes connect libraries--make access available there. All education should have more computer and network access.
Steve Wheeler: Implementation-- business credits for R&D. GTE has become more competitive since the mid 80s. Retraining-- incentives to retrain through tax credits is best.
Willy Chamberlain: Implementation is a private enterprise issue-- government should stay out. Libraries need to suggest a plan-- then government can decide what to fund. GTE--government shouldn't coerce GTE, but can influence them to listen to complaints.
Steve Boyd: Regulations should be minimized, but government needs to work with business. Encourage business through tax credits and similar incentives. Distance learning is good. Libraries need to be connected through cooperation with ISPs.
Questions from the audience:
Capital gains changes -- what can be done to encourage small businesses:
Steve Wheeler-- Tax it like any other income but index it for inflation as is done in other countries. This is similar to the older graduated approach.
Do you have position papers available on the web with info on how you will support your internet constituency and how you will be responsive.
Steve Wheeler: Claims the best page and that the Democrats have no platform.
Ken Owen-- position papers are coming. Gail believes this is a great way to communicate.
Steve Boyd: Walters accident has made things slower. Walter wants to use the media to communicate to his constituency more.
Willy Chamberlain: Doesn't have a page, not his strength. Likes to deal face to face. But he does believe in the electronic media and its use in the county government.
Frank asks: If I want to bring in high bandwidth to Santa Barbara, I have to buy a router-- this seems unfair and is a result of the Modified Judgment artificial LATA boundaries and the PUC is enforcing what the telecommunications act dissolved.
Ken Owen: The issues here aren't well understood, but Gail is willing to listen until she understands.
Willy Chamberlain: Meetings and negotiations with the county involved as a facilitator.
Steve Boyd: Didn't come prepared to talk-- will bring it to Walter. There is a need to understand the issues better as deregulation is implemented.
Steve Wheeler: Wants to understand the problem better and bring better government and life to the area.
Closing statements:
Willy Chamberlain: An agriculturist and environmentalist. Government should be no larger than necessary. More efficiency in government is needed. Staff reports need to be simplified to allow yes or no answers.
Ken Owen: Gail is supportive of the environment. She believes that government should be more efficiently operated. Gail feels that the county needs a telecommunication plan (they don't really have one). She wants to work with businesses. She is not technophobic and is glad to talk about telecommunications.
Steve Wheeler: He is here to provide an alternative in the congressional race. People want issues oriented dialog without the dirty tricks. Peoples needs and wants are similar and we need to remember that. His opponents have no financial background. He believes in women's rights and is pro-choice.
Steve Boyd: Walters campaign is about bringing accountability back to the office. Wants to create a high level of discourse to government. He is very committed to improving education. Believes in protecting first amendment rights.
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