|
Minutes of the HACTAC Meeting of February 17, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm.
Note: All attachments referenced in these minutes are available either
on mentioned e-mail addresses or at your public library; or questions
to the DPUC may be addressed to Michael.Coyle@po.state.ct.us.
Minutes:
The minutes of the November meeting were approved as presented. The minutes
from the January meeting were approved as presented. As HACTAC did not
have a meeting in December, there were no minutes to review for that month.
Treasurer's Report:
See attached.
A motion was made by Mark Harutunian and second by Irene Cone to accept
the November Treasurer's report as corrected, subject to audit. Motion
carried.
A motion was made by Mark Harutunian and second by Dave Raney to accept
the December Treasurer's report as corrected, subject to audit. Motion
carried.
A motion was made by Irene Cone and second by Mark Harutunian to accept
the January Treasurer's report as presented, subject to audit. Motion
carried.
Town Reports:
Bloomfield:
Joe would like to thank Mark for taking all the pictures from Rowanda
and putting them to modern music; he did a beautiful job. At the town
council meeting, where the pictures were shown, the mayor asked Joe to
pass on his thanks to Mark also for what he did.
The arts festival is April 8 and everyone should be getting an invitation.
One of the special education children entered a DVD to the Men of Color
and received an honorable mention for his work.
Meetings and cooperation with BATV are going very well.
East Hartford:
Irene reported that it is budget time; very busy. High School is doing
the news, not every week, but often. Did a big program with the Rotary
Club on the history of East Hartford.
Hartford:
Hyacinth reported that they are doing public service announcements reminding
people of the census and the need to be counted. They are also trying
to cooperate with the new media school in Hartford. She does not know
much about the complaint that was discussed earlier tonight.
Simsbury:
Mike reported that the station was approached last month about moving
out of the old Eno Building. Possible new locations are the library or
one of the Board of Ed buildings.
Dick Ostop added that the station will be moving, not sure if it will
be the library, the high school or the apple barn at the rec. center.
West Hartford:
Zena reported that the 2009 annual report has been published. Budget time
is upon on us and they are covering town meetings and board workshops.
West Hartford is waiting for new studio cameras which are on order. They
should be coming in the next couple of weeks. Jennifer asks for support
of the CAP Act, which is the Community Access Preservation Act. This act
is co-sponsored by John Larson and seeks to create uniform standards for
public access stations and deals with the funding issues as well. The
staff of WHCTV has been taking on special projects and they are now working
on a video that will be presented at the St. Patricks day breakfast for
the foundation of Catholic Schools.
Windsor:
Carol reported they have an ad out in the papers trying to get a part
time staff person for 20 hrs. a week. As part of the Peg Petia grant,
they wanted to incorporate a special program for junior high school children
to work with the community. Program has been put together; working with
social service clubs in the community so that the children can learn what
the clubs do to support and enrich community life.
Dave added that in his business school the teachers are basically previously
retired individuals but ones who want to give back to the community.
COMCAST:
NOTE:All complete reports appear in the DPUC reports available on-line
from the DPUC. See below for e-mail address.
Steve reported that the Digital Network Enhancement Project is moving
along. There will be 7 channels moving from Digital Preferred to Digital
Starter and on February 23 there are some channels moving from Digital
Starter to Standard or Expanded Basic. These are channels lost last summer.
Dick Ostop asked if Comcast could put together a DVD about all the channel
changes to be given to all the stations? Steve will inquire to see if
one can be done.
Steve also discussed the rebranding of the high speed internet; you will
see a lot more of that happening.
AT & T:
No report.
Committee Reports:
Statewide Advisory Council:
Carol reported that Cablevision is also a member of the statewide advisory
council. Cablevision gave a company report that doesn't really pertain
to this area but there were some interesting points that they made. Some
of the more interesting ones were the discussion of customers being able
to chose which channels they want to buy on cable service, ala cart menu
style, that may in the long run actually cost the consumer more money.
It also won't come about without an FCC ruling. Another point of interest
was the discussion about station logos on advertising within the access
stations and would you be allowed to do it. There has also been discussions
within the council regarding standard transmissions signals for broadcasting.
Carol also reported that East Haven and Wethersfield are coming on line
with AT & T.
Legislative Committee Report:
Dick asked if everyone could comment on the status of the CD's put out
by HACTAC.
Simsbury is playing it on access tv, same with Bloomfield and Hartford.
Windsor will be having a meeting in the next couple of weeks with one
of the Senate candidates to present. Windsor thought that it might be
advantages to send out a letter stating that we sent you CD's, have you
seen them and would you like to get together to review and discuss this
matter as HACTAC would like to present their issue. Dick mentioned that
this is only a local issue and he would prefer staying with the local
representatives.
Dick asked everyone to e-mail him the names of the people that were given
a disk. He will then write a letter to that person as the chair of HACTAC
asking the questions posed by Windsor.
Public Relations Committee Report:
Dick asked several months ago if anyone was willing to take over the maintenance
of our website. He has not had any takers and would like to bring it back
to the table. Dick asked everyone to get some quotes from people and get
back to him.
Nominating Committee:
Nothing to report.
Chairman's Report: Most memos concerning the DPUC are available on the
web-site for the DPUC (www.state.ct.us/dpuc/database/htm)
Dick turned over a customer payment check to Comcast. Please also see
attached.
HACTAC e-mail address: HACTAC@yahoo.com
Complaints:
There were several guests at this months meeting. Dick Ostop reviewed
the rules for attendance and for registering a complaint and then opened
the floor for comments.
Lawrence Jaggon was the first to speak stating that he registered a complaint
in November, 2009 against Bloomfield TV and he was asked to put it in
writing which he was handing in tonight.
Kevin Brookman was the next person to speak and stated that there are
a number of incidents that the producers of public access tv are concerned
about. One going back several years pertaining to the fact that there
are no producers on the Board of Directors. When he and other producers
have tried to attend to find out what was going on they have had the police
called on them to escort them out of the building stating that the meetings
are not opened to the public. There has been a lot happening between interim
directors and directors. They have now had times when the station is off
the air, no training, equipment not maintained. A producer at the end
of her program made a comment that the management and staff at Hartford
Public Access need to get their act together. This is no way to do a live
show. Kevin was told she had not done anything wrong, that she was just
making a statement. The following week when she came to do her show she
was told it had been suspended for the rest of the season. No warning.
Kevin will put a written formal complaint together for HACTAC and Dick
advised him to ask for a special meeting to review.
Steve McCauley spoke next stating that he supports the producer that was
suspended. He is an advocate for free speech and feels she was only saying
what was on her mind.
Dick stated that the station belongs to the public and that HACTAC can
go to Comcast also for support.
Terry Morrison a Hartford parent would like to go on record that with
them stopping that producer's programs completely she is being punished,
she was not fired; she is on suspension. Why not run previous programs
while the situation is being investigated?
Patricia Nelson was the next to speak. She is the engineer for the producer
that was suspended. She has been told not to go and do her volunteer work
that she enjoys at City Hall. She is concerned that she will be penalized
for helping the producer.
Gersham Flynn was the last visitor to speak. He was there to support the
claim filed by Lawrence Jaggon.
Dick has received a number of phone calls lately from Hartford voicing
the same complaints that were voiced tonight. He has also received phone
call complaints from Bloomfield in support of their complaint that was
filed tonight.
Joe Olzacki has also been receiving phone calls from Hartford and Bloomfield
regarding the same issues.
The written complaint received this evening and was reviewed at length.
A motion was made by Zena Kovack and second by Hyacinth Yennie to have
Chairman Ostop share the complaint received this evening and request a
response from Bloomfield TV. Motion carried. Joe Olzacki abstained from
voting.
Old Business:
Irene reported that the East Hartford hearing is on hold.
New Business:
Discussed under complaints.
Schedule 2008-2009:
April 21, 2010 Simsbury
May 19, 2010 Hartford
June 16, 2010 Comcast
Adjournment:
As there was no additional information to be brought before the Board,
a motion was made by Mark Harutunian and second by Hyacinth Yennie to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at ____9:15
pm_____
Next Meeting and Location:
March 17, 2010 in West Hartford.
|