Free WiFi In The Big Easy

From MSNBC Hurricane-ravaged New Orleans will deploy the nation's first municipally owned wireless Internet system that will be free for all users, part of an effort to jump-start recovery by making living and doing business in the city as attractive as possible. Nice, the city that couldn't get bus drivers to follow it's evacuation plan has WiFi for all. WiFi isn't free, the tax payers of New Orleans are footing the bill. Wouldn't this money be better spent on such as... I don't know levy upgrades. As much as I love pcs, internet and my wardriving setup, I just think this is an expense not needed in the Big Easy.