Dear Editor:

There has been a lot of noise about Southport’s proposed fiber optic network, some factual, some misleading and some downright lies.

Here are some facts and opinions:

Fact: Southport spent years exploring broadband options.

Fact: The voters of Southport supported developing a town-owned fiber optic system.

Fact: Southport presented a strong, well thought out Request for Proposal to 12 potential companies.

Fact: Axiom was awarded the contract.

Fact: Southport has been granted $400,000 from Connect ME and nearly another $100,000 from other sources. These monies must be returned if it is voted to stop the project.

Fact: The Selectmen will continue to explore other sources of funding. We are waiting for Lincoln County to open application for funds.

Fact: Over $630,000 have already been expended towards completing the project. Most of these monies will be lost with no positive outcome following a vote to stop the project.

Fact: A vote to stop completion of the project will invoke an additional payment to Axiom and Hawkeye for $85,000 to void our contract. This would be additional lost monies for Southport.

Fact: Completion of the project will establish a world class fiber optic network owned by Southport and available to everyone on our island. For those who sign up for service during installation hook up is free, period.

Fact: A vote to stop our project will cost Southport hundreds of thousands of dollars for no gain.

Opinion: Comparing Southport’s current broadband to what we will have is like comparing a Model T to a brand new Tesla.

Opinion: Southport voters are way to smart to throw away hundreds of thousands of dollars for no gain.

Opinion: Our fiber optic network will launch Southport into the future and benefit not just us but our children and grandchildren.

Opinion: You can trust Southport a heck of a lot more than you can Spectrum.

Smith S. Climo

Selectman

Southport