ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 17, 1996 TAG: 9610170013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
What's the worst channel offered to television viewers in Pulaski by Adelphia Cable?
Inquiring minds on Pulaski Town Council want to know.
They had met Sept. 17 with Joseph Price, regional service manager for Adelphia, so the public could comment on service before council decided on renewing Adelphia's franchise to serve the town. At that time, Price said Adelphia planned to add C-SPAN, Arts & Entertainment and ESPN-2 to its cable offerings in Pulaski.
Some people attending that meeting wanted to see the Black Entertainment Network added. At council's meeting Tuesday, Councilwoman Polly Mitchell suggested asking Adelphia to add that channel in place of one of the other three it was considering.
Councilman John Johnston pointed out that the Black Entertainment Network need not replace any of the proposed new channels. It could just as easily replace one of those being provided now.
The question is: Which one? Nobody could decide right away which channel would be least missed in Pulaski.
It may not matter, anyway. New federal regulations in recent years have removed practically all the negotiating powers that localities used to have with their cable providers.
"You can express some wishes or concern," Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger advised council. "You have no right to determine channel content."
The council is considering an increase in the franchise fee Adelphia pays to use town streets for its cable lines, from 2 percent to 4 percent. Localities are allowed to go as high as 5 percent.
The governing body is also considering imposing a Business, Professional and Occupational License tax on Adelphia, which would bring in an estimated $1,000 to $1,200 annually.
Pulaski County and the town of Dublin have already renewed their franchises with Adelphia. The cable company has promised to add a public access channel available to local governments.
Mayor Andy Graham, leading Tuesday's meeting after a two-month absence for an operation and recovery, directed Town Manager Tom Combiths to check with Dublin and county officials on what their cable preferences would be.
"Well, I'll tell you, if you don't like it, you can always buy one of those little dishes," said Mitchell. "Those dishes are popping up everywhere."
"But the small dishes don't give us local TV," said Councilwoman Bettye Steger.
"Neither do the big ones," Councilman Jim Neblette pointed out.
In other business, the Town Council eliminated its regular Nov. 5 meeting because it would fall on Election Day.
It accepted its Ordinance Committee's recommendation to drop the $25 fee for parades in town, except for functions where alcoholic beverages are served. For those events, the applicant will be responsible for reimbursing the town for any additional police protection deemed necessary by the police chief.
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