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Local resident praises Brightspeed hookup, urges commission to keep pressing for countywide internet
Summary
A Chilton County resident, Bonnie Van Vecten, thanked the commissioners for broadband work and urged continuing efforts until all county residents have high‑speed internet and cell coverage; commissioners acknowledged the request and expressed support for continued pursuit of service expansion.
During public comments Bonnie Van Vecten told the commission that her area on the upper end of Highway 145 recently received Brightspeed service and described the difference connectivity makes for education, work and health needs.
"This was never about Netflix or Amazon. If you live in a rural area, then you know this is about children doing school work assignments, parents working from home, adults taking online classes, people applying for and keeping good‑paying jobs that required connectivity, small startup businesses, telehealth, monitoring medical devices, and so much more," Van Vecten said, and asked the commission to "continue to pursue it until everyone has service."
Commissioners publicly acknowledged her remarks and stated the board would continue to pursue service expansion; the record shows a general pledge to press for countywide service. Van Vecten also noted that hundreds of Chilton County homes still lack internet access and that some areas lack cell coverage.
The comment underscores ongoing digital divides in parts of the county; there was no formal motion connected to the comment, but commissioners framed it as an item they would continue to pursue through state and federal grant channels and coordination with providers.
Next step: No board action was recorded during the meeting; public comment was entered into the meeting record for consideration in future broadband work and funding discussions.
