Academy of Local Politics

A number of states have passed, or are considering passing, new laws to govern cable companies. One of the perceived negatives of these new state laws, is the loss of local control of negotiating with local cable companies. I wasn't sure if those scare tactics meant very much. I now know different.

In the Tampa Bay area government meetings previously shown on basic cable are being moved to a higher priced digital tier of channels.

The changes in the cable law in Florida, came over the objections of local government and consumer groups. The new law stripped cities and counties of the power to negotiate with cable companies and gave it to the state.

The switch means as many as 400,000 area customers will have to pay more to see programs already funded by taxpayers.

The decision affects everything from school board meetings and city council workshops, to transit discussions and community calendars.

"We told them this would happen," said Ken Small, with the Florida League of Cities. "We said this all along. This was anti-consumer."

Why the move? How's this for a lame excuse?

"Government access can be a crisper, clearer picture."

I know from experience that many people do watch local government meetings on their local cable access channel. I don't believe the digital quality of the picture is going to be a selling point to anyone who wishes to watch that type of programming.

There is only one reason for this switch in Tampa Bay or anywhere. Extra money in the revenue stream for the cable companies.

For them to expect us to believe anything different, is playing us as fools.

Next time you hear a cable company say "trust us" you know what to do.

It's been well over a week since I've been able to sit at my own computer and post. It is good to be back. Even to what I came back to...

Police Chief Webb wanted to update me on some burglaries over the weekend. Just in case I got questions about them. They certainly look like they could be meth related.

City Planner Nation gave me the good news that nobody, that is right nobody has volunteered yet for the Adopt a Portion of Town campaign. I just love it when a group of people sit around a room deciding that other people should volunteer to do something. Of course, I admit I am not the best marketer of this program.

To top it off, Public Access TV Director Gore stopped in to ask me what new and creative ideas I have come up with for the station.

I've only been back a couple of hours. Tomorrow should be real good!

Mayor Al

The start of a new week. It's a beautiful spring day. And my techno problems have diminished.
Life is good.

I learned that my TV is too old to support the new DVD recorders.
Nowhere on the box or in the instructions does it tell you it may not be compatible with all TVs.
Instead in large letters it said EASY OPERATION.
So, I bought a combo DVD/VCR.
Problem solved. 

It took my brother-in-law about 2-3 minutes to download the photos from my phone.
I would have never found those files where they were located.
But, after he showed me where they were, it made sense.
Problem solved.

You will start to see some of those photos as soon as I get the blog issue resolved.
That is still a problem, and  I'm still working on it.

I don't want you to think I have been so obsessed with my techno problems I have been ignoring my other duties. I haven't been that obsessed.

Angell Gore talked to me last week about Public Access TV.
There is aefault&d=billhist&jd=top"> bill in the Wisconsin State Legislature which could cause the end of their funding.
In doing some research over the weekend I learned this is a topic from coast to coast .

Andy Opel is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Florida State University.
He wrote an opinion piece posted on WWW.Tallahassee.Com. discussing the same issues in Florida as we are in Wisconsin.

It would be an absolute shame if State Legislatures passed legislation that would remove the funding source of Public Access Television Stations across their states. But, big money backing these changes. You know how difficult it can be to fight big money on an issue at the State or Federal level. 

Police Chief Mike Webb forwarded me a Guest Commentary in the Manitowoc Herald Time Reporter.

Michael J. Fredrich, president of Manitowoc Custom Molding, LLC. is upset with the City of Manitowoc for cutting funding for their police department to the point that they are trying to raise private funds to build a new shooting range.  Mr. Fredrich believes that supplying the funds to train the police department is the function of the City, not private contributors.

I agree. There is a fine line sometimes between funding public safety and giving them a "blank check".
But, this isn't even close to the line. What next? A fundraiser for bullets?

If you have a "beef" with the City of Pinellas Park, FL, the Mayor might be found at the McDonald's in Wal-mart. 
Mayor Bill Mischler, spends much of his time there, talking to the citizens.
Whatever works. Sitting in a McDonald's wouldn't work for me.
The booths are just too darn uncomfortable.

Mayor Al

Big day today! Fantasy Baseball Draft Day.
Actually it is an auction of players, not a draft.

Tom Booker (Our Librarian) and myself have been partners for many years in Fantasy Baseball.
Our teams normally suck. In over 20 years, we have won the whole league, just once.
We were given the nickname of "Clippers" in comparison with another sports team,
whose futility is well documented.

The snow has melted. The Golf Course opened yesterday, and today is Baseball Draft.
Spring in Common Senseville has arrived!
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Just read an interesting article from Times Tribune in Scranton, PA about Public Access TV.
They are going to stop the showing of Council Meetings on Public Access TV.
That brought out the crowd! More than Standing Room Only.
Maybe Angell Gore should go cover that demonstration?
Sounds like it was a more interesting demonstration than the ones she wants to cover.
I know our Council would never dream of pulling the plug on our telecasts of Council Meetings.
Dorothy Malzone would have a fit.
Sometimes I say and do things just to see her fume, but that action would not be a laughing matter.

From the Bangkok Post I learned that a lack of women in politics is a problem.

"Tuenjai Buraparat, chairperson of the Association of Women Leaders for Thai Community Development, said most women lack the confidence to run against men and are afraid of losing in elections."

You know, it isn't just women who are afraid of losing in elections. I hear that all the time from guys.
"I don't want to run, because what if I lose? How could I show my face around town if I lost?"

Ahhh, the "Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat."
Luckily I've never lost an election. I don't know how that "agony" would feel.
The "thrill" is indeed sweet, and worth the effort.
I encourage everyone to take the chance.

Go for it gals, in Bangkok and everywhere else.
Then leave the TV cameras on, if you know what is good for you.

Mayor Al

Department Heads never forget if you say you will do something for  them.
Just like any work situation.

Angell Gore stopped in the office yesterday wondering how I was coming for new ideas for Public Access TV.
"No further than I was a month ago."

Angell has ideas. Big ideas.
Inspired by the demonstrations against the war the past couple of weeks,
in cities much larger than ours,
far, far away,
Angell wants to take the camera to an upcoming demonstration.

"Where", I ask.
"Not sure" was the response.
She quickly added that this would be done on her dime. No expenses to the City.

"Well", I said, "that is between you and the Cable Commission".

Could be interesting. Could turn into nothing.
Just the latest "rumor" out of my office for you.
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I  got a new toy.
An early Birthday present from my wife.
A Motorola Motorazr V3i.

A new phone/camera/video recorder/MP3/web access.
This is BIG for me. I'm not a real techno guy.
The camera could be interesting?
Very interesting?

Once I learn how, I'll be able to take my own pictures to put on the blog.
Just like real bloggers do!
I can already take the pictures. It's the downloading that is proving to be very difficult.
I'll learn, I'll learn.

Mayor Al