County Commissioner Jeff Ownby issued a press release to the Knox County Commission media list promoting TDS Telecom’s new service. Why is this press release worthy? Because Ownby is a Commissioner? Because Ownby is Chairman of the Cable TV Committee? Because he is a former employee of Comcast Cable?
Is the Commission going to issue a press release everytime a company begins offering a new product or service?
UPDATE: Commissioner Ownby texted me to explain his rationale. He wrote, “I did it because I felt it was good information for business and citizens that are looking for more bandwidth. I also did it because I sit on the NaCo technology committee and this is something that had been coming down the pike for a while. All in my interview to WATE (which I did before the press release) I stated that Comcast and AT&T are plan a 10gig for business for early 2015.” I asked Commmissioner Ownby, “Do you think it looks good to promote one company over another from the bully pulpit as an elected official?” Ownby responded, “Wasn’t trying to promote one. My point was to say that it is here and other company’s are following as well. I felt this is good to show business that we are the first in the state to have 1gig offered. I felt it will help draw more business to this area.”
