“The movement of information can replace the need to move people.That’s the premise to be explored at the daylong Bainbridge Economic Vitality Conference, themed Ferry Boats Are Not The Answer: What About Telecommunications Infrastructure?Hosted by the Bainbridge Economic Council, the event begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Wing Point Country Club. The public is invited.If we solve some of the telecommunications problems, that may help solve some of our transportation problems, said Kevin Dwyer, director of business recruiting and marketing for the Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council.The conference will focus on the need for broad-band telecommunications infrastructure on Bainbridge Island, and the impediments to that service. At present, high-speed Internet access, which many high-tech businesses need, is available only on limited areas of the island. Speakers will include officials from Poulsbo and Port Angeles, who will talk about the importance of telecommunications to business development and what other cities have done. A panel of telecommunications industry professionals will address the situation on Bainbridge and the possibilities for change. Another panel will address business on the Internet.The attendees will divide into two groups to discuss the consequences of not having advanced communications infrastructure and the possibilities for providing what is needed.Dwyer said the conference has several purposes.One purpose is to provide information to the community about what infrastructure is available, what is not, and how increased infrastructure could be valuable.There is not a clear understanding of what it will take to get us on a level playing field with the other side (of Puget Sound), Dwyer said.The second purpose, he said, is to send a message to the providers that the island needs a better infrastructure.Related to that, he said, is the issue of public education on how to go about making the case to the providers.We have to get people to realize they can’t have all these services available without effort, he said. We have to get the message to Bainbridge residents that they have to help us support this.Dwyer, a Bainbridge resident, said that the discussion groups could produce some interesting solutions.For example, it might even be possible to think about Bainbridge creating its own utility to provide some of these services. If we’ll tax ourselves to pay for open space, might we tax ourselves to provide some of the other things we need?Cost to attend the conference is $25, which includes lunch. For reservations or more information, call 842-8922. “