ORCnet Update - Upcoming Meetings

Yesterday, I received the following email from Chris Cope of ORCnet:

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I wanted to everyone on the ORCnet (Ottawa's Rural Communities Network) mailing list to be aware of several upcoming events related to broadband in rural Ottawa. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to get up-to-date information about progress on the broadband roll out, directly from the people who are building the network.

1. ORCnet Meeting
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Date & Time: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Location: Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre
2300 Community Way, North Gower

OF INTEREST: We would like to invite all members of Ottawa's Rural Communities Network (ORCnet) and anyone interested in rural broadband to attend a general meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to provide and update on the activities of ORCnet since the last meeting and in particular to invite Bill MacDonald to provide an update on current progress and expected completion of the Public-Private-Partnership (P3) between Xplornet (Barrett Xplore Inc.) and the City of Ottawa, to deploy broadband to all remaining coverage gaps in rural Ottawa. In addition to providing progress details, MacDonald will talk about pricing, how to sign up and the role of community champions.

Agenda
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a. Introduction, Chris Cope
b. Welcome and background, Councillor Glenn Brooks [Rideau-Goulbourn]
c. Update on Xplornet rural broadband, Bill MacDonald, Barrett Xplore Inc.
d. Discussion of "Community Champions" Learn how you can help accelerate
the rollout of this new broadband service in your community.
e. Questions & Answers


2. Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Meeting (ARAC)
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Date & Time: Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Location: West Carleton-March Ward - Huntley
Community Association Mess Hall
2240 Craig Side Road, Carp

OF INTEREST: This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about progress and expected completion of the Public-Private-Partnership (P3) between Xplornet (Barrett Xplore Inc.) and the City of Ottawa, to deploy broadband to all remaining coverage gaps in rural Ottawa. Bill MacDonald of Barrett Xplore Inc. and Chris Cope will provide a verbal presentation "Update On Rural Broadband Services In Rural Ottawa."

Complete Agenda available at:
http://ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/docs.pl?Elist=8415〈=en


3. Community Day at the West Carleton Community Complex
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Date & Time: Saturday, September 15, 9 am to 3 pm
Official Opening Ceremony at noon.
Location: West Carleton Community Complex, 5670 Carp Road

Join neighbours and friends for a day of fun, food and fabulous prizes, and celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Sensplex Arena and West Carleton Community Complex (formerly Kinburn Client Service Centre). Have fun with Spartacat 11 am to noon.

OF INTEREST: I will be joining Xplornet representatives and we plan to be on hand throughout the event. We'll have maps, brochures and up-to-date information about the Public-Private-Partnership (P3) between Xplornet (Barrett Xplore Inc.) and the City of Ottawa, to deploy broadband to all remaining coverage gaps in rural Ottawa.

Please feel free to share this email with others who may be interested.

Chris Cope
ORCnet Executive Director
Email: Chris.Cope@ottawa.ca
(613) 580-2424 ext. 28991