Monday, June 05, 2000
Middletown wants cable TV input
By Janet C. Wetzel
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — A survey mailed this week to residents should help the city determine what people want from their cable TV service.
Middletown's 15-year contract with Time Warner Cable expires in 2002, and the city wants to begin negotiations soon, said Middletown Law Director Les Landen.
“We wanted to start negotiating early because Time Warner is in the process of starting a system rebuild in this area, and some of the things we're interested in should fit well within that rebuild,” Mr. Landen said. “We've had remarkably few complaints (from consumers) over the past two or three years.”
Only two people attended a recent public hearing, said City Commissioner Bob Wells, commission's liaison on a recently appointed Cable Television Task Force.
“I think the majority of households have cable service,” said Mr. Wells, who said the city might pursue a five-year contract.
“We want their participation. The whole idea of the survey is to get people to tell us what they would really like from their cable company.”
The survey, which will be sent to the estimated 22,000 city households, is part of the community needs assessment being conducted by the task force. It will cost the city $6,300.
“If the citizens take advantage of the survey, then it's money well spent,” said Susan Davis, assistant city manager.
The survey results and research information compiled by the task force, which will also contact major institutions in the city for comment, will be included in a report that city commissioners will use during negotiations, said Mr. Landen, who is the task force facilitator.
The task force is made up of representatives from the school district, Miami University, local businesses, Middletown Regional Hospital, the library, government agencies, community organizations and residents.
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