On November 1, 2006, a Focus Group session was conducted at Worcester Community Cable Access headquarters at 415 Main Street. Forty people participated in the Focus Group and WCCA TV 13 staff attended as well. Every effort was made to invite as diverse a group of community stakeholders as was possible. The following is a list of the people in attendance and the respective organizations they represented.
Allison Alaimo, Massachusetts Veterans, Inc.
Rich Ardizzone, Joy of Music Program
Mark Bilotta, Colleges of Worcester Consortium
Edla Ann Bloom, AIDS Project Worcester, Inc.
Maurice J. Boisvert, YOU, Inc
Kim Ciottone, Common Pathways
Jill C. Dagilis, Worcester Community Action Council
William P. Durkan, “Senior Speak”
Sibyl Farson, Worcester Here & Now
John Foisey, Worcester Technical High School
Joan P. Fouhy, Business Expressions
Rodney Glasgow, Worcester Academy
Stephen Hill, City of Worcester Division of Neighborhoods and Housing
Jim Holliday, Worcester Regional Transit Authority
Penny Johnson, Worcester Public Library
Steven Jones-D’Agostino, Best Rate of Climb
Bruce Karlin, M.D., Worcester District Medical Society
Christopher Kerins, AIDS Project Worcester
Joyce Kressler, First Night Worcester
David La Rose, Worcester Here & Now
Vincent Lombardi, “Audio Journal”
Christina Lombardo, AIDS Project Worcester
Sarah Loy, Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts
Konnie Lukes, City Council Member
Elizabeth Ramona Marangos, Producer
Frank Mathews, “Senior Speak”
Sheila McMahon, Workforce Central Career Center
Edith Morgan, “Senior Speak”
Mike C. Perotto, Perotto’s Perspective
Kim Pond, University of Massachusetts Extension, 4-H
Major (ret) Joe Raulinaitus, US Food and Drug Administration
Paul Richard, Community Healthlink
Kate Santos, United Way of Central Massachusetts
Clara Savage, Common Pathways
Maureen Schwab, Producer
Lynne Simonds, Southbridge Community Connections
Aaron Simoneau, “Audio Journal”
Jennifer Snell, Family Services of Central Massachusetts
Mark W. Steiner, Ovation Model & Talent
Gabriella Volante, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance
Over the course of four hours the Focus Group was conducted using the Focus Group Worksheet.23 Participants were given background information on the current franchise agreement, PEG access operations, current and emerging technology, what is required or allowed by federal law, the definition of “Rights of Way,” and the definition of a “needs assessment.” Participants were walked through a series of questions regarding technology and their current and future communications and cable related needs. Questions were posed for both quantitative as well as narrative responses.24 Participants were organized into small group discussion and at times into large group discussion. The following pages provide the results of the Focus Group session.