After lunch yesterday afternoon the Wicomico County Council finally got around to the reason I bothered to show up - a discussion of PAC-14. The conversation started off with a brief discussion of a proposal for a 4-4-1 board structure (4 members appointed by the county, 4 by Salisbury, and one joint appointment). The conversations then moved to a "compromise" of having 3 members appointed by the county, 3 by the city and 3 by the "community" (or "membership).
One problem with the 3-3-3 structure was when to allow the "membership" to have board seats. Should it be right away? Should it be after they reached a certain number of members? Should it be after the "membership" showed the ability to raise a certain amount of funds to aid in the operation of PAC-14? There didn't seem to be a real consensus as to when that should occur.
At this point Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman (R-2) spoke up. She wanted to offer a different solution for people to think about:
She was clear that she wasn't advocating for any particular solution, but that the council should at least think about it.
Admittedly, this was not the solution that I was looking for. I happened to be more in agreement with a form of the 3-3-3 proposal. However, Prettyman's proposal is not only intriguing - it has merit.
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One problem with the 3-3-3 structure was when to allow the "membership" to have board seats. Should it be right away? Should it be after they reached a certain number of members? Should it be after the "membership" showed the ability to raise a certain amount of funds to aid in the operation of PAC-14? There didn't seem to be a real consensus as to when that should occur.
At this point Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman (R-2) spoke up. She wanted to offer a different solution for people to think about:
Set a PEG fee and let that provide the funding for PAC-14. Government could then get totally out of PAC-14.
She was clear that she wasn't advocating for any particular solution, but that the council should at least think about it.
Admittedly, this was not the solution that I was looking for. I happened to be more in agreement with a form of the 3-3-3 proposal. However, Prettyman's proposal is not only intriguing - it has merit.
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12 comments:
Great idea! Then only those who really enjoy the station will be subscribing and those of us who live outside the area where we can't get Pac 14 won't be paying for a service that isn't available. This sounds too good for gov't to agree too. Let's hope all put their self serving ideas aside and do something that makes sense.
Mrs. Prettyman is the only person with real broadcast experience. I think this is a great idea. It allows the government to be clear of the funding, releasing more money where it would be better served. There wouldn't be governmental control of a media outlet. There would be plenty of ways for this venture to seek it's own funding for greater projects.
Anybody see a down side?
I meant she is the only council person with real broadcast experience. We should take her opinion with such regard. I wish we had more like her on the council, both county and city.
G.A., these people don't operate above board, and you know it. If this proposal is approved, this community TV station will be hijacked by special interest groups. Oh, they'll come up with the money, and with that a whole new set of rules on how to play their little game.
Another inflitrated, community organization, hits the dust!
Thanks, but no thanks, Stevie!
PAC14 also does an Internet feed, so you don't need cable TV service to watch it -- so the "let the users pay plan" don't wash.
ALSO, HER SCHEME PLAYS INTO THE HANDS OF PRETL & TILGHMAN (the two most dangerous persons in Wicomico County), who want a personal house organ and group of acolytes as a political base. Neither can be trusted to serve the real public interest, and not their own.
I don't like Mrs. Prettyman's politics at all, but this indeed one area where she can bring a vastly more informed opinion than anyone else at the table. If I was on the council, this is one issue I'd definitely listen to what she has to say.
And I like the idea of cable users paying the entire freight - especially since something like 40% of the county can't receive cable because Comcast refuses to wire their neighborhoods (like mine). The idea that I'm paying for a cable channel that Comcast refuses to let me receive, well, makes me feel like a retiree with no kids paying for public schools - what's my benefit?
I'm already tired of paying for cable channels that I don't watch. Have at least one in Spanish and can't understand a danged word, same as when I see some kinda meeting on this channel? Maybe a Salisbury meeting? Still can't understand what is going on...lol
Too much hollering going on for me to watch either of them.
How many people actually watch PAC14?
I don't.
Rumor has it that PAC14 is going to be reducing services to make their position look more desperate to the pols. Watch their normal programming look even worse in the near future.
One of these days Wicomico County is going to have to cut the umbilical cord and move on. I am sick and tired of Wicomico County depending on everything from the city of Salisbury. The Government Office Building, Water and Sewer, PAC 14, Fire and EMS and the list goes on. These so call leaders we put in office have made us to dependent on the City of Salisbury. We have had a County Executive form of government for two years now and we don't have anything to offer the citizens of this county. How many other counties in the state of Maryland that have an executive form of government depend on a municipality for everything? NONE.
Wake up voters and get thesed deadbeats out of office.
Just to clear the air a little about PAC 14.
Tax dollars are not used to fund PAC-14. The City & County receive money from the Franchise Fee on your Cable Bill. The City gives 1.5% of that to PAC-14. The County does not have a set percentage, though there should be one.
The University gave some money but mostly in-kind services to PAC-14 (payroll services, free rent, etc.)
The day-to-day job of the guys that work at PAC-14, is to assist the Public in using PAC-14 for programming purposes.
PAC-14 was trying to acquire non-profit status with a Task Force that was re-organizing the station. The core mission of PAC-14 was not going to change.
Mrs. Prettyman was one of the individuals that put a "screaming"stop to it. Hence, SU deciding to pull out.
Anonymous said...
Just to clear the air a little about PAC 14.
Tax dollars are not used to fund PAC-14. The City & County receive money from the Franchise Fee on your Cable Bill. The City gives 1.5% of that to PAC-14. The County does not have a set percentage, though there should be one.
The University gave some money but mostly in-kind services to PAC-14 (payroll services, free rent, etc.)
The day-to-day job of the guys that work at PAC-14, is to assist the Public in using PAC-14 for programming purposes.
PAC-14 was trying to acquire non-profit status with a Task Force that was re-organizing the station. The core mission of PAC-14 was not going to change.
Mrs. Prettyman was one of the individuals that put a "screaming"stop to it. Hence, SU deciding to pull out.
3:43 PM
Thanks for the little air clearing Mr. Goodson.
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