For very personal reasons, I don’t have any more to say about the first topic and probably should not have said what I did say.

As for the second, WVNET does far more than I possibly could describe here – and far more than you’re reading in the news articles discussing WVNET. By way of illustration, (1) it supports institutions’ Sungard Banner data systems use to various degrees; Sungard Banner performs back office functions (e.g., student records, financial aid, finance) for our colleges; (2) it hosts WebCT for numerous institutions; WebCT is higher education’s primary distance learning system; (3) it supports K-12 and others with internet and other comparable services and ensures that K-12 maximizes e-rate discounts (federal discounts provided thanks to Senator Rockefeller, by the way); (4) it manages significant segments of the state telecommunications infrastructure, which combines K-12, higher education, state government and other technology traffic; K-12 is the biggest user, followed by higher education, followed by state government; (5) it serves as WVU’s major back-up site and provides similar services to others; (6) it coordinates cross-institutional procurements; (7) it keeps a lot of systems up and operational when they’re needed.

I could go on for a long time listing a wide range of services. But from my perspective, the real issue is that each of these functions needs to be analyzed thoroughly: (1) what is provided? (2) for whom is it provided? (3) at what cost? (4) does someone else provide it already? (5) is it something that’s needed, and will it be needed in two years/five years?; (6) is the charge reasonable and could the services be obtained elsewhere more cheaply? (7) are there other economies of scale that should be taken into consideration?

A thorough analysis would find things that should change, I am sure, but it also would find that WVNET provides important services not readily replaceable, particularly by smaller institutions. Finally, it would find significant costs associated with moving WVNET, costs that possibly should be incurred for the greater good, but costs that are significant nonetheless.

“I was ostracized for the better part of a year for trying to keep all involved out of prison a few years back”

and

“it would be a good idea if someone learned what it truly does”

Apparently we are all clueless and would appreciate it if you shared your knowledge.

I’d add another plank especially for this in Charleston and D.C.:

The idea that will get more votes is not the same as what is right for the people.

I’m sure the environmental investigation will start when one of the new tenants acquires a sixth digit. Until then everyone will pretend things are normal.

I, as much as Danny Jones, hate to see anything leave Charleston. I believe every state needs a major city and that said city should continue to grow. But, that Tech Park should be saved and a long-term plan should be made and made correctly – even if it takes more than two months.

A visual for the public has not been painted; this is a big deal and has the possibility of creating an economy of its own for that community (where is Vision Shared on this?)

The Tech Park should be saved. It should be saved correctly, but nonetheless saved.

And, just to add salt to sugar: South Charleston must be merged into Charleston.

Sit tight Danny Jones, all the little ducks will coming running back in due time.

http://connectkentucky.org/

As for the media coverage – or the lack thereof – why should this baffle you? You should be asking a bigger and broader question: Why does it seem that the Charleston media in general, have a lack of curiosity?

Years ago, I would have easily said yes. Now, all I can say is fund what you can afford and manage it well. State government is completely over-extended as it stands now.

I am amazed at business owners who constantly complain about bloated government but never complain about a state’s Development Office that hands out taxpayer dollars to said business owners.

By the way: Who DAT! Who DAT! We are the world champions.

It’s madness.

Quite impressive, if at the end of 2010, your Web site totes DCT Advisors brought in “new” monies to W.Va to the tune of $35 million (as an example.) or $25 million to higher ed.