Thursday, February 24, 2000
Lebanon digital TV plans left in limbo
Council spat delays vote on prices
BY CINDI ANDREWS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Start-up of the city's digital cable service could be delayed even though it's ready to go, officials said Wednesday, in the aftermath of a heated city council meeting the night before.
Council held off on setting prices Tuesday night, opting instead to send proposed rates to committee after a contentious meeting that included a 4-3 vote of confidence in the city manager and a slugfest over the city's $8.1 million telecommunications system.
The slugfest started with a proposed ordinance by Councilman Joe McKenzie that would have given council more control over shows the system produces and the rates it charges.
“No program shall be produced and/or broadcast without prior specific Council approval,” the legislation said in part, prompting an outcry from residents.
“This ordinance sets up legal means by which Lebanon's city council can censor local news,” said Joan Townsend, a resident and shopkeeper.
Then it got ugly.
“This ordinance wasn't written by Joe McKenzie, it was written by Joe McCarthy,” said Gerald Miller, another resident.
Mr. McKenzie said he opposed government producing TV shows and was trying to rein in telecommunications spending, such as the costs associated with the system producing its own shows.
“At this time, we're not making money ... and we're going ahead with more things that cost money,” Mr. McKenzie said.
The department is broadcasting area high school basketball games on its government access channel and producing two shows, including The Lebanon Report, said Jim Baldwin, telecommunications director. The Lebanon Report is a half-hour preview of issues on council's agendas.
The only extra expense associated with the show is host Mike McMurray, a former radio broadcaster, who receives about $50 per episode, Mr. Baldwin said Wednesday.
Councilman Mark Flick, one of those who opposed the ordinance, said it isn't council's job to make decisions about whether such efforts are worthwhile.
“It crossed the line of overview and management into administration,” he said Wednesday.
Council ultimately killed Mr. McKenzie's proposal 5-2 and then sent all remaining items on its agenda to committee, one by one.
Included on that list was an ordinance that would set rates for the digital cable service, which the city had planned to begin offering March 6.
If ultimately approved, it would charge subscribers $23.98 for digital cable and $29.98 for the top-tier digital cable. A digital converter box would be an additional $3 per month.
Mr. Baldwin said Wednesday he's investigating whether the city can begin offering digital cable before council approves the rates.
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