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TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1998 <br /> <br />U. S. Congress had given cable companies too much power to raise rates, and that things might change during <br /> <br />such a long franchise to limit that power. Mr. Nosse replied that Adelphia intended to make very extensive <br />and costly capital improvements to the system during the requested franchise period, and that a short term <br />such as only one year would not be nearly long enough for the eompaxty to recover the cost of such an <br />investment. Mr. Nosse also stated that the rates the company charges in the local area are about average for <br />the region, and that they have very real competition within that region. Mr. Emberson then asked how much <br />the company expected to spend on improvements to the system. Mr. Price replied that the estimated <br />investment would be about $14.5 million in the system, plus $350,000 in grants to the City and County. <br />governments for their public video transmission uses, as well as $112,000 for other equipment needs. <br /> <br />Mr. Nate Galbreath of Ridgeway then spoke, criticizing Adelphia for carrying a Fox Network channel out of <br />Washington, D.C., yet not carrying a High Point, Noah Carolina, channel. Mr. Nosse responded, stating that <br />the F. C. C. requires them to carry broadcast channels that are within their radius of influence, and the <br />Washington station more closely fit this requirement. <br /> <br />Mr. Buddy Eanes of Axton then spoke in support of the continued operation of Cable 6, citing their <br />participation and support of a charity telethon. Ms. Mary Trimpy and Ms. Betty McDowell, both of <br />Martinsville, also spoke in favor of keeping Cable 6 on the System and in the same channel location within the <br />Basic package. <br /> <br />Mr. J. Randolph Smith, also of Martinsville, also spoke in favor of continued carriage of Cable 6, stating that <br />they represented a real alternative to other local news and political coverage. <br /> <br />Other unidentified citizens asked how residents will be involved in future decisions on programming for the <br />new channels to become available :after the system rebuild; and when such new channels might become <br />available. Mr. Price stated that periodic subscriber surveys would be done to get resident' s feedback, and that <br /> <br /> <br />