Public revelation of a fully formed scheme to finance the enlargement and expansion of the “public access channel,” PAC-14, by means of a mandatory “fee” for Comcast service has caused both curiosity and concern about its evolution in secrecy, including the complete disregard of PAC-14’s board of directors who are appointed by its sponsoring “partners” (Salisbury Univ., Wicomico County and the City of Salisbury). But Rick Pollitt, John Cannon, Barrie Tilghman and Louise Smith were apparently informed about its formulation during that process.
Another mystery and matter of concern is the identity of those who formulated this tax plan and secrecy scheme. And let us be clear: if it is approved by the Salisbury City Council and the Wicomico County Council, it would be a cleverly and clandestinely conceived tax on citizens who have Comcast service.
All we are being told is that a “transition task force” of 18 persons have approved the plan. A special program promoting the tax plan that recently ran on (surprise!) PAC-14 and consisted of a conversation between two members of that task force – namely Michael Pretl and Philip Tilghman – did not mention who authorized the task force or selected its members or why the public and most members of the two Councils mentioned above, including those who are on the PAC-14 board, were kept in the dark. Apparently Pretl and Tilghman are among the prime movers of the tax plan/secrecy scheme, and are aware of significant details that they deliberately did not disclose.
This blog will present the details as they emerge, including the multi-part analysis by G. A. Harrison that will appear this week, beginning today. Scroll down for the first installment of the commentary by “Cato,” or go here: http://www.delmarvadealings.com/2008/07/28/the-pac-14-fiasco-part-i-%e2%80%a6/#more-2493
And if you want to see the names of the members of the “transition task force,” go here: http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2008/07/pac-14s-transition-task-force-revealed.html
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Joe and GA:
ReplyDeletePlease expose those who are hiding behind the curtain (be a ToTo!).
Mike Goodson needs to make sure he is getting all that is due PAC 14 through the city. John Pick and Pam Oland both said they NEVER make up the difference at the end of the year. If he can't keep track of those funds how will he ever keep track of millions more in additional funding?
ReplyDeletePretl is on the board, no wonder we've got a mess.
ReplyDeleteOne word for all of it, SLEAZE!
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:14 --
ReplyDeletePhil Tilghman and Pretl are two of a kind -- both very dangerous and a potentially lethal combination. This scam must be stopped in its tracks.
All without the knowledge of the directive BINO!
ReplyDelete(Pac14's board in name only)
If this goes thru, PAC 14 will becom a forum for the "Wicomico Environmental Trust" (Pretl is the president, I believe) and its effort to ruin the value of farmland for development without just compensation for the farmers.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Barrie and Mikey Dunn are involved in this...
ReplyDeletecontrol of the media? what next? our guns?
ReplyDelete