This is a partial report (on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at 12:40 pm) on an illegal attempt by Century Link to install underground "Quantum Fiber" cable in my neighborhood in unincorporated Lake County, FL. More will be added today (Oct. 28, 2022).
This is an update of earlier posts I made on Facebook, and NextDoor and sent to officials and staff of the Lake County and the City of Tavares. We now have a full story which WILL be below later today, about how a Century Link contractor marked and started boring under resident lawns in Lake County and in Tavares without getting County permits and without notifying residents what they were doing.
This could happen to you anywhere in Lake County because Century Link's subsidiary, Q.com is installing their own fiber optic underground TV & internet cable network in neighborhoods to COMPETE with Comcast and T-mobile's 5-G internet services. (Yes, to competition, but NO for doing it without government permits or skipping notices to affected residents).
Here is our updated story in chronological order. If you just want the short version, they are laying cable at least in my neighborhood (see map - orange indicates the entire affected area, and green is for just Tavares - the rest is unincorporated Lake County). After I "outed" them with phone calls and emails to officials and staff of both Tavares and Lake County, the contractor, Lamberts, is getting permits from Lake County, and will provide explanatory notices to residences about why their lawns are being drilled into. I am not sure yet whether Tavares issued a permit or provided notices to Tavares residents.
Neighbors like the idea of cable competition but worry about broken sprinkler systems and incomplete knowledge of what is happening. It has taken me over a week to get clear info.
Just a few minutes ago, "Billie" from the contractor Lamberts, dropped by and gave me this door hanger which should have been provided at the very beginning. View this photo
Updated Oct. 28 - 1:30 pm - The head of Tavares Public Works notified me that the contractors were LYING to me - they had no permits from Tavares either and Tavares staff told the contractor they could not do any work in Tavares until permits were issued. Apparently, this is a common practice by state-licensed contractors like those that work on the right of way work installing or fixing utility underground lines like cable, electric, etc. He said Tavares has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the need for permits. However, he said RESIDENTS need to contact their public works department to ensure such permits are in place. Apparently there are no sanctions or high enough fines to ensure contractors get permits.
More details and pics to be added soon.
Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers.com
