Further, while dozens of Georgia cities are either planning or implementing costly telecommunications systems, they are doing so without public approval of any kind. 500 registered voters across the state were asked two critical questions, and the response was clear and overwhelming. It's a good thing for cities venturing into the telecommunications business that Georgia law does not require cities to obtain public approval.
Public opinion is definitive on the subject.
Moving outside their legally empowered mandate as the facilitator for cities wishing to develop municipal electric authorities, MEAG has pursued its new agenda with zeal. None of the private competitors have been bestowed with these tools. . . . Representatives of the telecommunications industry, who have been warning for years about the dangers of municipal power to enter private sector industries, greeted the court decision with favor, noting cautiously that more than 20 Georgia cities are currently developing telephone and cable TV systems. State lawmakers should be aware that real problems still remain for taxpayers and the private sector alike. In a free market system, the telecommunications industry should theoretically be fair game for anyone with a sufficient cash supply and entrepreneurial drive.