
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260369
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COX CABLE STILL BATTLING OVER RENEWAL

Roanoke Vice Mayor Howard Musser said Monday that he is willing to risk a court fight before he agrees to Cox Cable Roanoke's request for a 20-year renewal of its franchise for cable television service in the city, Vinton and Roanoke County.

The cable company said it needs a 20-year franchise to justify spending $20 million to upgrade the system to 62 channels and to use fiber optic technology to improve reliability and picture quality.

But Musser said the localities want to approve only a five-year franchise, with the possibility of a five-year renewal.

"It won't be 20 years. We'll go to court before we agree to that," said Musser, chairman of the committee that is negotiating a new franchise with the cable company.

If the localities refuse to renew the franchise, the company could contest the decision in court. Under federal legislation, the localities must have a reason for rejecting the request for a new franchise.

Negotiators for the localities and company held another closed session Monday, but they remain far apart on the terms of a new franchise, Musser said. They will meet again March 6.

"We are getting there, but it is a long process," said Bernie Langheim, vice president and general manager of the cable company.

The company's 15-year franchise expired Dec. 31, but it has been extended twice. The new deadline is May 1.

Langheim said the company has submitted a proposal that responds to the needs and desires of the cable system's customers.

"The length of time [in a franchise] is vital if we are going to spend $20 million to rebuild the system to 62 channels and extend service to the extremities of the county," Langheim said.

Musser said he is frustrated by the lack of progress in the talks, adding that the committee has asked the company to provide more detailed cost estimates for educational, governmental and public-access facilities.

The committee has asked the company to increase the cable system's capacity from 35 to 76 channels and finance a studio and access channels for the local governments, schools and public.

Langheim conceded there are "some obstacles ahead" in the talks, but he said the company feels it has submitted a proposal that would provide a quality cable system without requiring excessive rates.

"Because we currently serve over 48,000 customers in the Roanoke area, we have worked hard to submit a proposal that is fair to everyone," Langheim said. "We did not feel it was in the best interest of our customers to include expensive projects that only benefit certain special-interest groups."

by CNB