St. Mary council blocks plan for cable, ‘net connection

A decision by Baldwin’s town attorney is all that stands in the way of a pocket of West St. Mary Parish residents receiving cable and satellite television and high-speed Internet.

Morgan City business owner Ed Meyer’s request to place his wireless equipment on Baldwin’s water tower was initially denied by attorney Vincent Borne. Hoping for better results, Meyer took his plea before the St. Mary Parish Council recently. However, Borne, who also serves as the council’s attorney, again nixed the plan – for now.

Before a communications company could affix equipment to the tower, Borne said Baldwin’s government must legally advertise the opportunity, opening the bid to all interested parties.

“It’s not that I have anything against Mr. Meyer,” Borne told the council. “And I don’t think anyone will compete with his company.

“This process just has to follow the appropriate avenue, with a fair market value.”

Baldwin’s aldermen were receptive this past summer to Gulf Coast Broadband – Meyer’s company, which he’s operated with his three sons since 2007 – erecting his equipment in exchange for free, wireless Internet service for the town’s government and its agencies. Borne told the council that he promised the aldermen he would research the matter.

However, Meyer disagrees. “Mr. Borne jumped into the conversation way after the aldermen unanimously agreed to give us space in exchange for service,” he told St. Mary’s council.

Gulf Coast Broadband currently provides similar services using water tower space in Franklin, Bayou Vista and Amelia, according to Meyer.

When asked why Meyer’s company was allowed space on Franklin’s water tower, Borne, who is also that city’s legal advisor, said he didn’t know. “I wasn’t aware of the decision by the city council, nor was I asked to render an opinion,” he said.

Meyer shared his plight before the council at the invitation of the Rev. Craig Matthews, councilman for Four Corners and Sorrel, whose area would benefit from cable and Internet services.

“Nobody is talking about the fact that all of the constituents of District 1 do not have broadband Internet, and I have a problem with that,” Matthews said.

Borne suggested that Matthews seek legislation “making it available under the law, so that you can address the concerns of folks in rural areas like St. Mary Parish.” Such a move would allow “folks like Mr. Meyer to come in and operate in a proper manner, clear up things and provide a much-needed service through a proper avenue,” the attorney said.

“I am so glad that the law can continue to circumvent the needs of and opportunities for low-income people in this parish and in other rural areas across the United States,” Matthews retorted. “This needs to change.”

With equipment installed in Franklin, Gulf Coast Broadband began serving that community earlier this year, Meyer said.

“I can’t tell you the amount of e-mails and calls I have received from folks in the Baldwin area and Sorrell who are excited to hear that we can possibly offer this service to them,” he said. “However, I have to tell you that I’m just baffled at Mr. Borne’s decisions, which are, frankly, road blocks.”