Mayor Vivian Burnett faces a critical challenge that resonates deeply within her community. As she stands at the forefront of bringing broadband access to her rural town, she reflects on the many obstacles that have hindered progress and the impact that connectivity — or the lack thereof — has on her people.
“Our challenges with addresses and GIS mapping have been significant,” Mayor Burnett said. “We have addresses that should align with Google, but there are discrepancies everywhere. This complicates everything, from delivery services to emergency response.”
Yet, the more pressing issue is the high cost of bringing broadband to Jonestown. In a town where many residents are low-income, the initial cost has been prohibitive.
The absence of affordable broadband is not just an inconvenience — it’s a barrier to progress.
“Our students often have to go elsewhere to do their homework,” Burnett laments. “And adults taking online courses can’t always access the internet at home. It makes it difficult for them to work on their schedules. If someone needs to work at 1 a.m., the libraries aren’t open, and that poses a real challenge.”
For Mayor Burnett, broadband is no longer a luxury but an essential service, critical to connecting Jonestown to the wider world.
"Whether it's for business, personal matters, social interactions, or growth and development, global connectivity is vitally important in today's world,"
— Jonestown Mayor Vivian Burnett
As Jonestown moves forward with its broadband mission, the mayor envisions a future where not only is broadband accessible, but it also catalyzes growth.
“We’re planning to train people not just to use broadband services, but to help others make the most of them,” Mayor Burnett said. “This will create job opportunities, not only in our immediate area but across the broader region.”
Understanding the financial challenges, Mayor Burnett is also exploring ways to make broadband more affordable for all residents.
“We’re considering the possibility of subsidizing some of the costs,” she shares. While the plan isn’t finalized, it’s a critical step toward ensuring that every household in Jonestown has access to the internet.
With a background in education, Mayor Burnett is particularly passionate about the role of knowledge in empowering individuals and communities. “Knowledge is power,” she asserts. “Whether it’s personal growth, academic advancement, or business development, the more knowledge we have, the better decisions we can make.”
For Burnett, the ability to make informed choices is what drives her. “This knowledge helps me grow from one level to the next,” she said. It’s a belief she’s eager to instill in her community, seeing broadband as a tool to unlock opportunities and remove the limitations that have held Jonestown back for too long.
“I believe this is well-deserved and will be monumental for all of us,” Burnett said.
"It allows us to connect to the entire world, breaking us out of our isolated areas and giving us a global perspective. With this asset, we gain a broader view of what others are doing and learn how to do things in new ways."
Mayor Burnett is taking practical steps to bridge the digital divide in Jonestown.
“We need to focus on computer literacy,” she said. “A lot of people in our community come from a time when computers weren’t part of our everyday school life, which has led to significant gaps. Being computer literate is important now to reach out and access the resources available to us.”
In Jonestown, the path to broadband is more than just laying cables or installing routers — it’s about building a bridge to the future. And under Mayor Burnett’s leadership, this rural community is taking technological steps to grow.
“As people grow, so do our communities,” she concluded.
