The T&G published a follow up story about the recent Public Service and Transportation Meeting. One of the items during that meeting was to discuss the needs of WCCA TV, Worcester's Public Access Station.
It was called to my attention that the story apparently inspired comments from the public regading WCCA TV. I generally disregard such comments mostly because they are anonymous. However, I wanted to share some of the positive ones.
WCCA is great place to work because it is place that is doing many positive and great things that really benefit all of us who live in Worcester. I do receive personal attacks from time to time, that comes with the territory of any leadership position. However such personal attacks should never be taken as a reflection of a company or it's mission or its worthy achievements. So to the following commentators, thank you for your support and good words.

Reader Comments

"Public Access gives people a chance a chance to participate at numerous levels be it access to media tools and resources, niche programming, training,producing in studio, on location or presenting video. That is, in part, what Public Access is supposed to be. Giving people access to a channel, and as well as tools and facility to create. WCCA holds true to that in every way. Community productions or presentations do count because it is about giveing members of our community an opportunity to submit video, share information, announce events, share views and opinions, within the parameters of it's non-profit status. The additional channel should not be determined solely by such a narrow definition of video hours, even though WCCA surpasses such benchmarks. WCCA plays an important role in the creative city scape. WCCA is one of the most transparent companies around. The city gets quarterly financial and operational reports. WCCA is an open book. Look at the channel or view it's web site. It's amazing how a few obviously disgruntled malcontents attack the station that directly impacts positive benefits to Worcester. Where is your zeal to attack Charter and the phone companies who have been ripping us all off for decades and pandering to city officials and big media? The city and its committees, should view WCCA, an asset and one of the strongest advocates for people's voices around, and stand with the station to fight on behalf of the invisible voices that WCCA serves well. My favorite shows are LAW, Senior Speak, Soapbox, and For What It's Worth. I used to volunteer until I moved. I still watch the streaming content on line however."
-max access

"My favorite WCCA shows are Love Truth & Miracles, Stand Tall, Flipside, Snow Ghost, Ramona Interviews, Static Fusion, the music specials and that live election night special was great and the cultural coalition's candidate night was very informative. I love the african, middle eastern and asian music too. My Albanian aunt loves the Albanian news. I also love their interactive website. WCCA is truly for everyone we should support it. I hope others join me in sending WCCA a donation to help them out. I not only watch it I help produce a show at WCCA."
-nisa

"Senior Speak - a show for senior citizens made by senior citizens. Have you ever seen a show for seniors on any other channel? For elderly folks who can't get out and about this show is a treasure."
-HavaANiceDay

"I know some of the staff members and I know for certain, that every single person at the station is making less than what they should & deserve to be making. Mauro has given the last twenty years of his life to make WCCA the model public access station it is. The diversity of community programming is a true reflection of the city and its many communities. The station's 9 person staff and payroll is not the issue. The mission of the station lies in the balance. The destiny of this valuable institution should not be taken lightly not only because it(access to the channel, equipment, training, professional staff) provides us with one of the last vestiges for democratic media and bridge to the digital divide, but because to diminish its capacity will be to diminish our free speech and ability to participate in changing our city through electronic media. I can't answer for Nisa, but my favorite shows are Community Vision, Country Video Jam, Soapbox, Worcester Here and Now, Cooking with Georgia, Artist Showcase, Young Views Real News,Democracy Now! and many more. Thanks WCCA, you have my support."
-R.S

"The fact that WCCA TV is in a 60/40 split for funding is criminally absurd. Channel 13 has an audience in Ghana, Haiti and Shri Lanka and is on the air almost 24/7 with a phenomenal variety of local programing. A recent documentary on terrorism in Shri Lanka has been met with international acclaim by the European and Asian press. Anyone who thinks that no one is watching TV 13 is living in a Rod Serling episode. WCCA TV 13 is, not only, the Little Engine that could, but is the Little Engine that DID and still DOES - every day, seven days a week, every week, every month of every year. Any other city the size of Worcester would celebrate and showcase a premiere public access station like Channel 13. But then, when you look at the Galleria, an empty train station, a reflecting pool full of dirt (again) and an obstruction which passes for a park blocking the front of the Hanover Theatre - what can we as citizens truly expect?"
-Chas

"WCCA does a great job. The city should be doing all they can to encourage the great work. Quantitative evidence proves he station is watched by many, there is a proven community demand for the services it provides, no one in the staff is getting a 'hefty salary' (They, the entire staff, deserve much more for the tremendous amount of work they do), the city hall girl that shoots those few government meetings gets more than the station manager of WCCA. The three city lawyers, at that meeting, combined, make about as much as the entire station budget.That is twisted and absurd.
The only cut backs Charter and the city lawyers negotiated is a cut back on what the people of this city would have gained with a better franchise agreement. The city lawyer pointed to tough times effecting the poor cable companies,however there are also cities in the USA increasing support for their public access center. Many small towns in New England, negotiate more per capita to support it's access center than Worcester does. The cable franchise and public access is based on a percentage of gross annual profits, it has nothing to do with your rate hikes. The franchise never has prohibited competition as well. Mauro said, last night, that the station has provided nearly 140 Million over the last ten years in media services to benefit all of Worcester. No other TV station or media has done as much for the city at large. That .20 cents would go into Charter's pocket rather than to customers or the people's TV channel. Anything Charter gives the city is: 1.Because it has to by contract and 2.Because it is one of a a duopoly. Charter cares less about giving anything back to Worcester or any town. WCCA deserves all it is entitled to by congressional law. It is suspicious to find anyone speaking out against a station that is TV by for and of the People. Personal attacks have no place in a debate for community voices. I appreciate and support WCCA TV, I think you should too"
-nisa