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From: Your Name <you@example.com>
To: mayorfranklin@atlantaga.gov, g.pridgeon@atlantaga.gov, ddobbs@atlantaga.gov, bisom@atlantaga.gov, lmborders@atlantaga.gov, csmith@atlantaga.gov, khall@atlantaga.gov, ilyoung@atlantaga.gov, cwinslow@atlantaga.gov, narchibong@atlantaga.gov, afauver@atlantaga.gov, hshook@atlantaga.gov, cmuller@atlantaga.gov, fmoore@atlantaga.gov, cmartin@atlantaga.gov, jmaddox@atlantaga.gov, jmsheperd@atlantaga.gov, ccmitchell@atlantaga.gov, mnorwood@atlantaga.gov, hlwillis@atlantaga.gov
Subject: Save Our Voices - Save People TV
City Council Members:
Your help is absolutley necessary in continuing the financial support of Atlanta's People TV, Fire and Safety Channel, and City Channel 26.
The current funding for People TV ends in December 2009 along with the expiration of the City's local franchise agreement with Comcast. Public access has been alive in the Atlanta community for over 30 years. The drastic reduction in funding will dramatically change the services People TV will be able to provide the community in 2010. In 2011 People TV would have to close with only $100,000 provided to operate. Most, if not all, of you have appeared on People TV over the years and have all been offered the opportunity to have your own monthly show on the channel.
People TV is an established and strong grassroots organization that serves your local constituents. It is unrivaled in its ability to allow citizens a free voice to speak with other Atlantans as well as serve the City's non-profit and youth service agencies through its education programs and production facilities.
The City currently receives the money to support Public, Education and Government (PEG) television, including Channel 26, from the franchise fees Comcast collects on behalf of the City.
The original ordinance passed by City Council provided a percentage of the fees collected by the cable operator to be distributed to support PEG. However, we are told that after 1991 this was changed to have the fees go to the general fund. It's not quite what the Federal Government had in mind with S.2195 (1994) "National Public Telecommunications Infrastructure Act of 1994" which includes... (16) "It is in the public interest that reserved network capacity for public use be accompanied by funding to facilitate use of such capacity to provide noncommercial governmental, educational, informational, cultural, civic, and charitable services for the public."
In the new gross revenue definition that is to be adopted in the local franchise agreement with Comcast, there will be an additional $250,000 in revenue annully that could be directed to fund PEG for Atlanta.
PLEASE pass a new ordinance that will allow for the 2010-2011 budget, and future budgets, to include and properly allocate a fair percentage (minimum of 20%) of the cable or video service franchise fees to be used for the financial support of People TV, Fire and Public Safety Channel, and the City Channel 26. This City deserves to have its local voices heard, safety information made available, and a government channel that reflects this great city.
Thank you for your time and your service.
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
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Report abuse to abuse@citizenspeak.org [1522]
To: mayorfranklin@atlantaga.gov, g.pridgeon@atlantaga.gov, ddobbs@atlantaga.gov, bisom@atlantaga.gov, lmborders@atlantaga.gov, csmith@atlantaga.gov, khall@atlantaga.gov, ilyoung@atlantaga.gov, cwinslow@atlantaga.gov, narchibong@atlantaga.gov, afauver@atlantaga.gov, hshook@atlantaga.gov, cmuller@atlantaga.gov, fmoore@atlantaga.gov, cmartin@atlantaga.gov, jmaddox@atlantaga.gov, jmsheperd@atlantaga.gov, ccmitchell@atlantaga.gov, mnorwood@atlantaga.gov, hlwillis@atlantaga.gov
Subject: Save Our Voices - Save People TV
City Council Members:
Your help is absolutley necessary in continuing the financial support of Atlanta's People TV, Fire and Safety Channel, and City Channel 26.
The current funding for People TV ends in December 2009 along with the expiration of the City's local franchise agreement with Comcast. Public access has been alive in the Atlanta community for over 30 years. The drastic reduction in funding will dramatically change the services People TV will be able to provide the community in 2010. In 2011 People TV would have to close with only $100,000 provided to operate. Most, if not all, of you have appeared on People TV over the years and have all been offered the opportunity to have your own monthly show on the channel.
People TV is an established and strong grassroots organization that serves your local constituents. It is unrivaled in its ability to allow citizens a free voice to speak with other Atlantans as well as serve the City's non-profit and youth service agencies through its education programs and production facilities.
The City currently receives the money to support Public, Education and Government (PEG) television, including Channel 26, from the franchise fees Comcast collects on behalf of the City.
The original ordinance passed by City Council provided a percentage of the fees collected by the cable operator to be distributed to support PEG. However, we are told that after 1991 this was changed to have the fees go to the general fund. It's not quite what the Federal Government had in mind with S.2195 (1994) "National Public Telecommunications Infrastructure Act of 1994" which includes... (16) "It is in the public interest that reserved network capacity for public use be accompanied by funding to facilitate use of such capacity to provide noncommercial governmental, educational, informational, cultural, civic, and charitable services for the public."
In the new gross revenue definition that is to be adopted in the local franchise agreement with Comcast, there will be an additional $250,000 in revenue annully that could be directed to fund PEG for Atlanta.
PLEASE pass a new ordinance that will allow for the 2010-2011 budget, and future budgets, to include and properly allocate a fair percentage (minimum of 20%) of the cable or video service franchise fees to be used for the financial support of People TV, Fire and Public Safety Channel, and the City Channel 26. This City deserves to have its local voices heard, safety information made available, and a government channel that reflects this great city.
Thank you for your time and your service.
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
--
Delivered by CitizenSpeak!
Report abuse to abuse@citizenspeak.org [1522]
