Minutes 06/26/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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aiO TUESDAY JUNE 26, 1984 Cablevision (Multi-Channel TV Cable of Mansfield, Ohio) in "channel" service to its sub- scribers, the following citizens-subscribers appeared before Council, indicating their strong preference for the service as presently offered under the cablevision company's "Starview" package, particularly those channels now providing sports coverage and federal government coverage but proposed to be discontinued and replaced by what these citizens described as less attractive and/or non-interest channels or stations: 1. Mr. Tommy Clark, 1315 Hillcrest Avenue; 2. Ms. Marge Cooke, 831 Hundley Street; 3. Mr. Ray A. McCormick, 513 Rives Road; 4. Mr. John R. Smith, III, 810 Parkview Avenue; and 5. Mr. John R. McCraw, Jr., 1724 Meadowview Lane, a teacher of government at Martinsville Senior High School. In addition, Vice-Mayor Oakes, speaking as a private citizen, joined with these persons in their opposition and preferences. Meanwhile, City Attorney Worthy, in response to an inquiry from Council, offered his opinion that--under the terms of the bid proposal sub- mitted by Multi-Channel TV Cable of Mansfield, which proposal Council accepted in granting a franchise to this company--the company is contractually and legally obligated to provide and continue its present channels or stations, unless the Federal Communications Commission rules otherwise. And, responding for Martinsville Cablevision (i.e., Multi-Channel), Mr. William L. Anas, local cablevision manager, indicated that the FCC has determined that an "independent" television station in Greensboro, North Carolina, not heretofore offered by Martinsville Cablevision, must be made available to the area subscribers. In compliance with this mandate, Mr. Anas reported that the Greensboro station would replace an indepen- dent television station in Washington, D. C., and that three other stations now being made available, would be replaced by a like number of other stations or services, to avoid dup- lication of programming, a point the opposing citizens challenged. Meanwhile, in response to Councilman West's suggestion that Martinsville Cablevision delay for thirty days its implementation of the proposed changes, Mr. Anas indicated that his company will review and study the objections registered as well as its obligations under the terms of the franchise granted by the City.