Janet Mankins-Bibby understands the 21st century economy and how it relates to Mariposa County. It is a workforce not only comprised of tourist-based, service sector jobs, but a virtual workforce connected through high speed broadband. The way to support increased, higher wage jobs is to promote high speed broadband infrastructure investments. Mariposa has a high number of micro-entrepreneurs, and small homebased businesses scattered throughout the county. They are an important part of the overall income profile for the county and a key anti-poverty strategy.

The expansion of broadband Janet has helped facilitate enables businesses to compete, connect to regional or global markets, increase efficiencies and economies, and will be fundamental to the delivery of customized manufacturing, on-demand product fulfillment in the near future. I commend Janet for this understanding and her work in collaborating with multiple agencies and counties in advancing broadband technology expansion in Mariposa County.

She has sat on working committees and made calls on behalf of constituents to improve telecommunications services in Hornitos, Cathey’s Valley, Mt. Bullion and Mariposa. Since I moved here in 2003, Janet has been working to compel the telecomm companies to increase their investments in our amazingly outdated infrastructure. Finally, in late 2008, TDS Telecom laid the fiber necessary to bring their customers DSL service. Janet helped make this and the stabilization of our 911 emergency telecomm system a reality. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the telecommunications that keep our district and our county safe and with economic opportunity. Re-elect Janet Mankins-Bibby to our board of supervisors.

Heather Bernikoff