Saturday, February 06, 1999
Fairfield TV network is group's goal
Schools, sports to be featured
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD — A new seven-member advisory board will determine the future of a community television network serving Fairfield and Fairfield Township.
The group's mandates are simple: Involve students and make it affordable.
The board was given its charge at a meeting this week by a subcommittee of the Fairfield City, Schools, Township Task Force.
“This is a very doable project,” said Fairfield Councilman Steve Miller, who also is on the task force subcommittee. “Everybody wants to see it happen.”
The task force envisions a local TV operation that could showcase school and community sports teams, school events, a local news show and spotlights on individuals and businesses. Equipment could be as simple as a few cameras and editing stations, or as complex as a remote van.
“We're relying on you to be the think tank,” said committee member John Brunner, spokesman for the Fairfield Schools. “We've got a vision of this. ... You have to make it happen.”
The advisory panel will study budgets, equipment, production standards, fund-raising and staffing.
One school board meeting each month is taped now by Advanced Video Data Services, at a cost of about $200 per month, and shown on government access TCI Cable Channel 17. Fairfield City Council meetings are broadcast live on the same channel using equipment bought by the city and mounted in council chambers. The rest of the time, the channel serves as a community message board.
Committee members said they don't want the station to become public-access, but rather community-oriented. It could begin small and expand as budget and skill allow. Perhaps a class could be developed for students at Fairfield Senior High, committee members said.
“It's a matter of putting these visionary pieces together,” said Councilman Erick
Cook, a member of the task force subcommittee.
The project is one of the first collaborations being undertaken by the task force, which includes representatives from the city of Fairfield, the Fairfield schools and Fairfield Township. Once the advisory group puts together a plan for the television network, it will be reviewed by the task force's subcommit tee and then forwarded for review and approval to each of the three sponsoring groups.
The Fairfield project will not be affiliated with TV Hamilton, although committee members urged the advisory group to meet with leaders there about programming, start-up costs, possible collaboration and other matters. The advisory group also can tap into the expertise of city, township and school staff when needed, committee members said.
“We're passing the ball to you guys now and crossing our fingers,” Mr. Miller said. “We cannot do it. We don't have the expertise.”
The advisory board will be led by Chairman Bob Link. Other members are Dean Langevin, Dave Hoctor, Mike Snyder, Marty Palmerton, Nick Dadabo, and Glenn Eichel.
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