Public Access Awareness NEWS
Public Access Awareness Association Newsletter
Volume No.8 Issue No. 14 2005

This issue:

{EXCLUSIVE}
FEDERAL COURT HEARS Public Access Lawsuit: April 11, 2005 hearing includes rights of citizens using AKRON, OHIO PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 15.


Citizen left out in the cold after Cincinnati snubs Producer: Delhi, Ohio cable provider doesn't know how to respond to citizen's request for Public Access.

UTAH needs Public Access: group forms... The need is obvious for Salt Lake City Public Access: There isn't any...

Rich Mealy slams door on SLOCAM..San Luis Obispo, California Public Access in turmoil... Founder leaves in disgust to form "Endangered Species Producers" group to fix access problems.

Cries from Kaui: Hawaiian access station wants to charge fees...Ok, but remember the poor. You could be one of them.

FRONT PAGE FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Where is the logic? Some organizations claim support of the people's interest in Public Access- But how can they not be influenced by their corporate and/or governmental benefactors? In our democracy, corporations and government have established their own agendas. Public Access provides a venue for the people uninfluenced by political and corporate interests. Therefore, the question is: how can government and corporate money serve the people's interests alone and avoid their own personal agendas?



Arcata, California City Council Pussyfoots Around...
Public Access Denied in Arcata, California

Arcata Community Access Television opened in 1989 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation and independent contractor to the City. Historically, ACAT chugged along on minimal funds and volunteers, while producing original programs. Production boomed between 1996-1999, despite old and inadequate equipment. In March 1998, ACAT’s budget request reasonably included funding increases and equipment. During negotiations questions arose about funding discrepancies. City Manager, Keith Breskin explained, “I can spend the pass-through funds any way I damn well please." ACAT appealed to the City Council, but they reprimanded those raising the issue. Breskin purchased a cablecast deck for the city with ACAT funds and no equipment for ACAT, violating the ACAT-City contract whereby, “Municipal access equipment will be purchased out of the city’s general fund,...” Hostilities began earlier when Breskin wanted "Pepper Spray - What’s the Deal?" off the air. It was a documentary critical of news coverage of protests against logging practices. Breskin flipped over a letter from the news agency’s lawyer, plus the city’s retirement fund was invested in this same logging company. Absurdities continued with Breskin insisting the city could use public access equipment and hire ACAT employees. Breskin also claimed he’d been appointed to ACAT’s board, until a city council member exposed the claim was false. Amidst personal attacks, three ACAT board members resigned “in protest” on August 5th 1999 and created the Producers Association. Breskin locked down ACAT’s facility 8 days later, followed by the city council’s vote to terminate ACAT’s contract. Immediately, city cronies filled the vacancies. They dismissed all volunteers, passed rules discouraging production, made 54% ineligible as producers, and began cablecasting mostly re- runs. The Producer’s Association began airing "ACAT Monthly" featuring these abuses. Under scrutiny, the city and “new” ACAT selectively enforced rules, confiscated and destroyed videotapes, and brought bogus charges against “ACAT Monthly” producers. On November 29th the scheme to censor “ACAT Monthly” was temporarily successful when its producers were permanently expelled with no possibility of appeal.
Sydney Munguia zoom@reninet.com Or Website: http://www.publicaccess.org/ arcata.html



THE BIG CINCINNATI SNUB

Cincinnati Community video, after running Bill Pitzer through their orientation session, and two volunteer sessions, announced to Bill that he could no longer take part at their access facility, as they "suddenly" discovered that he was not residing within the Cincinnati City limits. Wow, didn't Cinci Video ever consider asking Bill about where he lived...FIRST? Bill's home community is Delhi, and his cable provider is FrontierVision. Even though FrontierVision cablecasts their City Council meetings, they apparently are not enthused about promoting Public Access. (If they know what it is.) There is a franchise agreement in place, and it expires in the year 2008. This is definitely a case where the government uses access for their benefit, and makes little or no provision for the people. Will anyone with the Township of Delhi please help Bill Pitzer get on the air... as well as the rest of its deserving citizens?

Salt Lake is Dry Lake when it come to Public Access Citizens want to install this important venue

Salt Lake City, Utah-

Bryan Bodell in Salt Lake City tells us that his group wants to start up Public Access in Salt Lake, and they need help. Those interested in joining in the quest are encouraged to contact Bryan through us at- Staff@publicaccess.org and to address your City Council and contact the Salt Lake City Manager to express your interests. It has been reported that there are many local issues concerning the citizens of Salt Lake, and Public Access can provide the venue for the forum needed there.

PAAA Here to help... email us!...accessgranted@publicaccess.org

Los Osos Public Access In Danger of Extinction
MICRO-MANAGE MANIA PREVAILS!
In Central California in San Luis Obispo county, Local Origination programs dominate prime time on Public Access Channel 59, leaving the wee morning hours for some Public Access... Apples and oranges are mixed for bitter sweet results.
Rich Mealey has the following report:
Los Osos Public Access has seen a rocky road toward development since the County Franchise Administrator decided to micro-manage its development. San Luis Obispo County Access Media (SLOCAM) was awarded a pilot program contract to develop and implement public access in Los Osos and for the County of San Luis Obispo in July 1998. Half of the board spent long hours servicing the public needs for access that included student productions and training. The other half of the board did next to nothing but complain about what they didn't like and became unwilling to lend a hand to keep the station running by meeting the commitments they had made within the contract timeline. Things began to fall apart in November 1998 when the Franchise Administrator for the County of San Luis Obispo wanted to change course by leaning toward more government programming and stop training the students. This desire to change course was met with acceptance by the vice-president of SLOCAM and the complaining side of the board. Meetings were held privately with the franchise administrator to take control of the station away from the public. This resulted in the three people running the station getting no help to accomplish all the tasks needed to run a new station. With no help it's hard to get every bit of business done to satisfactually meet the contract obligations. On June 30 and May 1 of 1999 there was a massive resignation of the board. The vice president was now president with the county franchise administrator pulling the strings. What is being shown on the access station is commercially produced local origination programs with the commercials removed. That is followed by one blues show, which is followed by school board meetings. At 12:30am the local public access producers have their programs shown. The station's future is uncertain as of this writing and this summer will most likely be shut down and moved to the Leased access station in San Luis Obispo.
Editor's Note: The entire area may soon be controlled by one entity; Falcon Cable and Charter Communications are making plans to merge.

Crisis in Kauai?

Fledgling Public Access Station Can't Make up Its Mind ..To Charge, or not to charge, that is the question.
The following is an inquiry from a Public Access station in Hawaii. After which is our public response: "We're here out in the Pacific (Kauai, Hawaii) with questions. We have a fledgling shoe-string studio up and running. Our problem is that we have to charge something for use of the facility. We are thinking of a minimum of $15 per hour. We also will need a proviso That users bring in a crew for their production. All this will be addressed in the new year when we develop operational procedures for the studio. Here are some specific questions: (1) What kind of outcry can we expect from potential users who think everything should be free because of franchise fees? (We can't do it for free because it eats up staff time, raises utility bills, etc.) (2) We want to charge market-place prices for private, for-profit businesses. Can we do this and how much should we charge? (3) What do you do with your studio facilities to keep them in use but not exploited by anyone who wants to use them but doesn't have funding or crew? We are small (20,000 cable subscribers). We're looking for direction in this matter and would appreciate any input from anyone willing to share their operational procedures on this matter with us. All guidance greatly appreciated." The preceding inquiry was apparently sent to a few organizations for advice. The Public Access Awareness Association feels that if necessary, a facility can charge a small, AFFORDABLE, fee to people to use its studio, but only if really necessary. It should never be used to deter or discourage producers from their rights. This inquiry was from last December, and the following was received here in April. (Editor's note: What is taking them so long to make a decision?) Quote from Kauai: "...We're still wandering in the dark here, wanting to set some prices for use of our limited facility..." April 26, 1999.
Freedom of Speech is protected by Public Access & the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

BEWARE OF THE BLOBBING!
WEST HOLLYWOOD PUBLIC INFO OFFICER SAYS CORPORATIONS ARE "BLOBBING" UP EACH OTHER! HUH? WHAT?