Town hall meeting set next Monday in Cobden

The Cobden Community & Business Association, CCBA, plans to host a town hall meeting Monday night, Jan. 10.

The meeting will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Old Feed Store at 111 N. Appleknocker Dr. in downtown Cobden.

CCBA's officers for 2011 will be installed at the meeting. Jill Baldwin will be taking office as the association's president.

Cobden Mayor Molly Beckley is scheduled to give a "state of the village" address.

The meeting also is scheduled to feature a presentation and discussion about proposed broadband Internet service for the Cobden/Alto Pass/Makanda/Giant City areas of northern Union County and southern Jackson County.

The meeting is the result of a partnership involving Connect SI, the Village of Cobden and CCBA.

The presentation will be given by representatives of the Connect SI program.

The focus will be on a proposal to provide wireless Internet service to the area.

Public input is being sought to make the Internet as comprehensive as possible.

Kathy Lively, executive director of Connect SI, said she knows how badly broadband Internet service is needed in the proposed service area.

"We have heard clearly from the very beginning of Connect SI that broadband service is critical to the tourism industry in the areas around Cobden and Alto Pass," Lively said.

"We have continued to work with local residents and businesses and are so excited now to be able to work with a wireless provider that has such a strong interest in serving the region," Lively said.

Next Monday's meeting is open to the public. Residents, businesses, government officials and elected officials from the Cobden, Alto Pass and Makanda areas especially are invited to attend.