Nick Kotsopoulos

Telegram's Nick Kotsopoulos writes about contract delays affecting WCCA TV.

The city's re-review of data that really has been done has taken exceptionally too long. The ascertainment window, the time to assess community opened in 2004 and ended when the city entered formal negotiations with Charter Communications. Whatever the city was able to negotiated for is now available within the franchise license to meet the community needs. The city council asked, through the form of a motion, for the City Manager to have a contract signed with WCCA by the end of June. Is there no teeth or follow up to such motions ?

We are not sure what parameters the consulting attorney Jim Baller, was told to work on, we are sure, however, that there are many cities that have apparently acquired better franchise conditions to support their Public Access channel and PEG Channels. Especially when looking at cities as large or larger than Worcester.

Given our experience of this so called process and holding on to good faith, even as we try to set aside the fears of many concerned that there may be a possible pre determined agenda, we hope the Manager will give due consideration to the community needs assessment which provided a quantified demonstration highlighting a community need to support for WCCA without any decrease in funding or capital.

Either this city, the City Manager and the City Council wants the people's channel, an important and empowering community resource that fosters a free flow on information and free speech, to continue to flourish or it doesn't.

Thank you Nick for fair and informational piece.