Friday, October 22, 1999
Warren areas invited into cable network
Some eager; others aren't
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — A move to link other Warren County cities with Lebanon's municipal cable television system is getting mixed signals.
Mason, Morrow, Franklin and Springboro are ready to tune in; Middletown, Monroe, Carlisle and Waynesville are not.
A fact-finding trip to Wadsworth today to assess the strengths and weaknesses of its government-owned cable system could determine which other communities will jump aboard the cable TV bandwagon. Nearly two dozen municipal officials were expected to make the trip to the Medina County city just south of Akron to tour its cable television studio.
Lebanon and Wadsworth are the only two Ohio cities with their own cable systems.
“We are hoping this trip will help us considerably in our effort to put together a feasibility study on the formation of a countywide fiber-optic telecommunications network,” said Carl Boltz, executive director of the Warren County Municipal League, which organized the trip. “We are entering uncharted territory with this proposal. Nothing like this has been done before in this country as far as we know, so there aren't a lot of precedents that we can draw upon as a model.”
In June, the municipal league began considering the creation of a government-owned regional authority that would provide cable TV, phone, Internet and other electronic services for residents. The move came after Time Warner Cable slashed its rates by 34 percent for customers in Lebanon to compete with the city's popular government-owned cable system, but refused to do so for other Warren County customers.
Two weeks ago, the municipal league began asking communities to ante up for a feasibility study to determine the costs and benefits of linking into Lebanon's system. Mr. Boltz said the municipal league had established Nov. 1 as the deadline for knowing which communities are interested in pursuing the study.
Leaders in Mason, Morrow and Franklin all have agreed to contribute up to $2,000 for the study, and Springboro officials were expected to do the same Thursday night.
Meanwhile, officials in Middletown, Monroe, Waynesville and Carlisle rejected the proposal.
“Council just felt that there are too many unknowns about this project to make a commitment at this time,” said Kevin Harper, Waynesville village administrator. “We felt that not enough facts are known about this regional cable authority or the proposed feasibility study. There really hasn't been a lot of discussion about what we would really study or what the projected outcome of the study would be.”
Waynesville has not ruled out joining a countywide cable network, Mr. Harper said, adding that a council representative would attend today's tour of the Wadsworth facility. However, council would require more information before making such a decision.
Monroe officials turned down the proposal, citing higher financial priorities.
“We expected that some communities would not want to join in on the study,” Mr. Boltz said. “We knew there would be some that would want to sit back and watch this thing evolve and then make a decision.”
Mr. Boltz said the problem with that is the feasibility study will be done only for a specific area — namely those cities that have expressed interest and contributed dollars.
“Anybody not included in the study will not be included in the plans for this network should we decide to go forth with it,” he said. “So a wait-and-see attitude isn't going to work out too well.”
Those communities not included in the municipal league's feasibility study would have to conduct their own study if they wished to join the network, Mr. Boltz said. Such a move would prove more costly than joining now.
At this point, the municipal league estimates the feasibility study will cover seven communities and cost about $14,000.
And while the thought of a financial commitment to a project with so many unknowns has some municipal leaders backpedaling, others have embraced the opportunity.
“I think the whole concept is simply fantastic,” said Morrow Mayor Vic Center. “Even if all a community gets out of this is cable TV, residents are still getting twice the service for half the price.
“It's a win-win situation because this entire thing can be accomplished without using any tax dollars to do it since the money generated by the cable customers would pay for it,” he said. “To me this is a major step toward taking us into the 21st century.”
On guard against a rapist
Some tips for staying safe
Coming soon: New Fort Washington Way
Council hopefuls spend big
Businesses major backers of school campaigns
$400,000 raised for ballot issues
Council incumbents defend records
Gun controversy prompts school board to cancel meeting
Leaf-looking at its peak
Miss America speaks for homeless vets
Panel hopes The Banks can get funds
Teens barred from honor club will get $999
City takes on revitalization after years of failed attempts
N.Ky. pushes for community college
Woman killed in work accident
'Bama fan goes to great lengths
GET TO IT
Radio contest challenges rivals
Worship's changing shape
Americana park fined $13,000
Day's poll work can earn $112
Fidelity opens talks for access road
GOP lawmaker to head PR-lobbying operation
Hop like a bunny, earn money
Justice Dept. sues Columbus
Kids just say no to violence
Miami works to boost minority recruitment
Panel offers concepts for mall
Park's debut to be a blast
Taxi-bus outfit blocked in move
TRISTATE DIGEST
Two injured in multivehicle wreck
Walk as One honors minister
Warren areas invited into cable network
