WCCA MATTERS

WCCA Matters
People keep asking me what is taking the city so long to settle the cable franchise contract? What is going on with regard to WCCA’s future contract? I do not know. I was last told that the city needs time to settle with Charter Communications before it can address WCCA. All of us at WCCA appreciate your support and attention. At the moment, due to uncertainty and lack of communication from the city, running this institution is similar to driving a bus in total darkness. Perhaps it is time for YOU to start asking for answers.

We understand these are difficult times, however, we can't help feel or understand why, in consideration to WCCA’s community standing (including it’s 20 years of public access excellence, dedicated public service, and sincere programming), it’s staff (and their families) and dedicated volunteers, including all the stakeholders, we seem to be left in the dark for any reason.

In the mean time, WCCA remains in good faith and hopes the city will do the right thing.

In the last ten years of this current contract I have never received a single complaint from our city or from Charter regarding our operations or policies.

We are holding on to faith that the city leadership will work for assurances for WCCA and to meet the needs of the community as voiced during the ascertainment proceedings. WCCA submitted a number of comprehensive reports to the city, including a complete ascertainment document, which was also submitted to members of the council, the city administration and the cable advisory committee in December 2007. It is always available on WCCA’s web page;
assessment.

Public ascertainment hearings, recorded on tape, along with documents submitted by Riedel Communications of Maryland, suggest that WCCA may be the most visible and tangible and popular benefit to emerge from the city franchising process. There is a demonstrated high regard for WCCA and community need for it’s continued growth and support.

A local cable Franchise is a democracy issue:
A sound solid cable franchise supporting Public Access means a continuation and expansion of valuable benefits that only public access centers can provide. Here are some of those benefits:

· Public Access (WCCA TV ) is participatory and inclusive. That allows for a diversity of ideas and a sharing of talent.
· For local members of Congress, Senators, Representatives, Mayors, City Council, and or selectmen, WCCA provides a channel for you to share your voice in a free and open public forum to connect with your constituents, to promote and exchange ideas, important city , state and even federal events and initiatives,
· It creates an opportunity for local government to facilitate emergency overrides, interconnect public buildings to transmit data and internal communications through an Inet system.
· It can ensure that community members are able to access the Inet to transmit, public programs from remote locations through it’s public access center.
· It makes it possible for WCCA to present Public Access (community produced and presented) presentations , also known as locally originated programming, that promotes and shares important resources. This includes human service, public safety, public service programs, college level media and communications classes and workshops, internships, jobs, emergency overrides and educational resources, not to mention a window into our community.
· A cable franchise provides for this open and inclusive FREE SPEECH forum. WCCA plays a strong role to maintain a free flow of information and diverse ideas that is essential to a creative city and economic development.
· WCCA, inspires creativity and encourages cultural activity and discussion. The people also have a voice, WCCA empowers and engages citizens.
* It allows a capacity for WCCA to promote local initiatives, neighborhoods concerns and celebrated achievements.It also supports an opportunity to share and announce non-profit and community events, community affairs, to share public service programming, to express views and opinions and to sharing heritage and culture that is uniquely Worcester.
· WCCA provides affordable outreach for those who need it.
· WCCA presents college level and professional, hands on learning experience. This is important for career development and economic development.
· Everyday WCCA plays an important role in presenting Worcester’s story/news, cultural and local economic development , and best of all, it’s people.

When you take a stand to support an assured future for WCCA’s continued growth: You are recognized for prioritizing “the people” and a quality of life that is inclusive and above corporate politics and dollars.

"Keeping it local" places priority on local concerns and our unique needs and calls attention to Worcester in a positive way. There is more to city than big buildings and shaving a few pennies off the cable rate.

WCCA facilitates community action and community interaction. WCCA is a center for developing partnerships and creativity that includes and empowers individuals and organizations.

Beware of huge corporations who are attempting to remove local franchise authority. In fact, presently, there is a bill proposed to the state senate (Bill No.1975 aka Verizon Special Interest Bill) proposed by Verizon. The bill attempts to usurp city control over our own rights of way. There is nothing in the Verizon special interest bill that improves level playing filed, competition, public access or the city in terms of competition, or for quality and customer service, in exchange for rights of way. In fact it will destroy public access, as we know it. The bill(Senate No.1975) needs to be scrapped.

The People of Worcester have spoken:
Ascertainment hearings and documentation prove the citizens want WCCA to continue with a capacity to grow. Example: (http://www.wccatv.com/node/785)

· The people called for an additional WCCA managed county wide station, additional WCCA managed public access channel, and funding support to continue operations and capital for desperately needed equipment.
· A City wide Poll (Riedel Communications, Maryland) reveals : 91 % of the people believe WCCA is important. 72% of those who watch WCCA watch Sometimes or Frequently.
· WCCA has strong recognition and “is a model public access center”.
· It is well documented that many city’s Worcester’s size and even some smaller, do a much better job supporting their public center. You will find more channels, higher funding level and capital support.
· We have a long way to grow. WCCA stands open for suggestions and welcome underwriter support to improve and increase public participation.
· There is a need to continue operational and ongoing equipment funding as well.

Evaluation:
Read the third party ascertainment report for yourself http://www.wccatv.com/wcca/assessment . WCCA has more than reached all the benchmarks that typically are used to evaluate the success of a public access. In fact we hit those benchmarks out of the park. WCCA is recognized as a model public access center. In addition, we run a professional organization, our independently audited financials are submitted every quarter to the city along with our operational reports. The city conducted two audits and found WCCA is without financial blemish. The Executive Director is accessible and participates in many community-building activities.

WCCA has received plenty of news coverage at the threat of a possible loss or cut in funding there was a substantial out pouring of community support for WCCA. We are aware of hundreds of letters, petitions, editorials that have voiced strong support for WCCA and for the city to make assurances to ensure WCCA’s future growth ( see for yourself )

WCCA is a 501c3 charitable organization. We are dedicated to public access, our mission, public service initiatives and partnerships. WCCA benefits the city in terms of promotional value, and providing a quality of life that is also inclusive and empowering to everyone. Others have written that WCCA TV should be celebrated and encouraged and not to be diminished in any way. We agree with thanks to all who have participated and helped us along the way.

Thanks for your support
Visit http://www.wccatv.com and see for yourself.

Mauro De Pasquale, Executive Director, WCCA TV 13, “The People’s Channel”
508-755-1880 ext.11