Some residents voice opposition to Opelika smart-grid plan

While many expect Opelika voters to give the city the nod when they head to the polls on Aug. 10 for a referendum that would create a city-owned telecommunications company, that feeling isn’t unanimous.

Some opponents plan to attend the public hearing in the Opelika City Council chambers Tuesday to voice their concerns.

One is Jack Mazzola, a member of Concerned Citizens of Opelika.

A “yes” vote on Aug. 10 will allow the city to go forward with plans to construct a fiber optic system that would enable it to deploy smart grid services through Opelika Light and Power, as well as offer telecommunications services.

Mazzola, 30, said there is much more at stake than a vote for or against “cable TV.”

Mazzola said there are many unanswered questions about the finances, privacy and political motivations concerning the smart grid.

“I know many Opelika citizens are alarmed at the proposed violation of private enterprise, erosion of personal privacy, likely rate hikes in our energy bills and the eventual loss of freedoms that may result from excessive government regulation,” said Mazzola, a two-year resident of Opelika. “I can’t really imagine the mayor and city council would expect us to just accept such a monumental change to our lives by just voting for cable TV.”

Some opponents have created a blog at www.opelikasmartgrid.com that serves as an informal focal point for the opposition.

Mazzola said the situation calls for a “return to principle.”

“It is my understanding that no other cable provider has been allowed by the city to come into Opelika and provide competition,” he said. “However far that is true, I know many citizens are curious to know the extent that any other providers besides Charter have been sought out to install services in Opelika.

“Whatever the answer to that question, it should never be the task of any level of government to provide information services to anyone. I hold to a core principle that liberty and prosperity are best perpetuated by limited government. Private enterprise should supply the needs of the citizens and government should ensure justice — not cable TV.”

Mazzola said the intention of Concerned Citizens of Opelika is not to “throw stones” at the local government but to “recognize the sacred principles at stake in this proposal.”

“I oppose the city on this issue from principle for the same reason I oppose the government health care public option and every other statist policy being thrown at us. Our country is on the wrong track, not because government doesn’t do enough, but because it does too much,” Mazzola said. “This referendum represents everything going wrong with our nation today, and it is an opportunity for us to stop, here at home, something that is so fundamentally opposed to the principles this country was founded on.”