Broadband legal policy expert Lawrence Lessig has a nice summary of the issues swirling around community investments in broadband.
He makes an interesting point regarding industry criticism that community projects are "unfair." With reference to public WiFi projects in community spaces (e.g. streets, parks, public buildings, etc.), Lessig points out that public street lights did not put electric companies out of business. He also provides other examples of public/private competition: public buses compete with private taxis; police departments "compete" with private security forces (like Pinkerton).
It's a short article with a tall dose of common sense, and it would be good to print a copy and mail it to your favorites local and state legislators.