Greensboro City Council voted to allow Alabama Fiber Network to begin setting up equipment at their proposed site behind the fire station during the council’s June 10 meeting. Alabama Fiber Network (AFN) constructs fiber optic cable infrastructure designed to improve connectivity for local businesses, schools, hospitals, and government offices throughout all of Alabama’s counties. David Ficken, a representative for AFN, was present at the meeting and advocated for his business. Ficken first came before the council in January, laying out the basics of what AFN can provide.
The council voted to allow AFN to lease land for their operation at that meeting, but later it was discovered that the proposed site was zoned as a residential district.
In April, a 3rd party consultant, Government Services LLC, was brought in for guidance and concluded that a city survey would be faster and less expensive than trying to redistrict the proposed site. A survey was taken at that time, and AFN chose the land behind Greensboro Volunteer Fire Department. Ficken said there was miscommunication after that survey that left all three parties in the dark as to the next steps.
Rodney Jacobs, a Greensboro resident, asked to address the Council at this point. Jacobs said, “Back in November or December they (AFN) started putting in equipment, but Greensboro is dragging their feet. So AFN moved on to Eutaw. I hope ya’ll can get going on the first step. Greensboro is lucky to have AFN. I think they’re far superior to MediaCom. Our internet is out all the time, and this last time it took them five weeks to restore it. If they don’t have any competition, they’re not going to be in a hurry to fix their equipment.”
Ficken asked the council to sign an easement that would allow AFN to locate their equipment at the chosen property. Councilmember Kyser made a motion to sign the easement, and Councilmember Lewis seconded the motion. Mayor Washington and all the Councilmembers voted to carry the motion except for Councilmember Curtis, who abstained. The motion carried.
Police Chief Willie Lewis said his department was doing its job and had confiscated four unregistered firearms over the weekend.
The qualifying period for this year’s municipal elections began on Tuesday and will run through June 24.
