We received this today, about Mayor Tipples press conference. Thoughts?
WAUSAU (WAOW) – Mayor Jim Tipple announced the closure of the Wausau Area Access Channel, Monday.
The announcement came in Mayor Tipple’s morning press conference.
Both the Public and Education & Government access channels (Cable Channel 98/980 and 96/981) will stop broadcasting after 2009.
According to a news release from the Mayor’s Office, the cost of maintaining the channels would be $90,000. According to Mayor Tipple, this may solve the city’s budget shortfall.
The Wausau Access Coordinator position will be eliminated and the Wausau Area Access Channel Office in City Hall will close. Mayor Tipple says tough economic times required “tough decisions.”
The Wausau Area Public Access Channels are most commonly used to broadcast community events including: forums, meetings, sporting events, graduations.
John H. Fischer
12:01 pm on December 21st
I could be 100% wrong on this… but I had thought that the Public Access stations were part of the contract that Charter had with the City of Wausau, and part of the Wausau Cable bill was a surcharge that went to pay for that service.
I remember “someone” warning “us” that if the cable legislative bill that was proposed a few years ago passed (which it did), it would practically eliminate the P.A. funding from the cable company, which could be a death blow to public access (which it appears it may now be).
I have to assume that moving the public access channels from 10 (where anyone could get them even with the most basic service) up into the 900’s (which you can only get if you also rent a box) didn’t help viewership.
Dino Corvino
12:51 pm on December 21st
Someone talked about that? They seem smart.
chughes
12:52 pm on December 21st
This is sad. Still, in light of Tipple’s decision, it’s good to know that, according to local writer Dino Corvino, Tipple is a “team player..with boundless energy” and an “aggressive vision” for the city. (He is, in fact, a “Cool Dude,” according to the title of Corvino’s piece.)
Some might suggest that the Mayor’s decision to end public-access funding might be the wrong place to correct shortfalls in the city budget. But, back in 2008, Corvino praised Tipple’s steady leadership, and even compares him to a “good parent” who treats his many “children” – in the city and on the council – “evenhandedly.”
“He seems to have a plan,” Corvino concluded, “and seems to be working that plan forward.”
I wonder what Corvino has to say about this latest decision.
(Source: http://citizenwausau.com/blog/2008/03/19/cool-dude-3-jim-tipple/)
Dino Corvino
12:58 pm on December 21st
I say, I was wrong. But like a Rabbi friend said, that was the best wisdom at the time.
I was wrong.
chughes
1:15 pm on December 21st
Fair enough.
Brad Schjoth
1:28 pm on December 21st
Like John said, I was under the impression the station was mandated by the government. I don’t know if Tipple has the authority to shut down that mandate, but typically most cable providers are required to carry PEG (public, education, government) channels by the local government presiding over the area they serve. But again, Tipple may be able to kill that contract. I assume that’s what this news is.
Dino Corvino
1:41 pm on December 21st
In fairness, let us not demonize the Mayor unfairly. Pat Peckham says that this announcement was made now so that supporters of the station could go raise the 90 grand between no and Jan 31. Roughly 7 weeks.
I find that logic and that reality to be insulting. Let us find a way to research, and write, and recieve a grant in 7 weeks? I have written a few, and sadly that is not how it works.
How about having fund raising events? During the holidays, and the Xmas party season?
I have not read his account of wanting to let supporters of this media form find the funds.
But, even if that is the case, this idea that he would do it 4 days before Xmas, and ten days before new years, when the whole world has shut down to be with their families to be insulting, manipulative, and short sighted.
This is a recurring theme with this administration. And I find it sad.
Brad Schjoth
1:48 pm on December 21st
It is extremely manipulative, I agree, Dino. It’s essentially another case of government attempting to slide something under the table while the public has it’s back turned, and considering this directly effects the public itself (as it is our damn channel), makes it even worse.
As I see it, the channel will be effectively shut off, lay dormant, and no citizen fervor will ever be raised over its demise.
thedbc
1:57 pm on December 21st
I assume then Charter will remove the “franchise fee” that they rob from me each month? I thought that went to the city for stuff like this? (took this idea off the WDH comment sections, someone else asked about it)
thedbc
1:58 pm on December 21st
Is the rumor true that Charter has been taking that money and not handing it to Wausau right away? Is that the litigation Wausau has against Charter currently?
Dino Corvino
1:59 pm on December 21st
It appears that the staff at the station knew about this on Dec 11. Why not announce it then? Oh wait, media strategy…the City Pages is a double isse and a short deadline.
Why not announce it the same day as when the staff was advised?
WHY NOT?
Dino Corvino
2:47 pm on December 21st
Now it appears that the staff of the Cable Access station knew a while ago. But, told NO ONE. Or rather, I did not know about it.
Not that i know everything.
But, there are tremendous funding sources out there, and with the time, this could have been averted. We have one of the oldest community media ventures in America in Madison, at WORT. Those people are experts.
Barry Liss
5:22 pm on December 21st
Well, although this is a shame, it’s not totally unexpected. PA channels are getting axed all over the country – it’s a sign of the times – especially with the possibility internet mediation of city council meetings – which I assume Wausau will offer. I’ve heard rumors that the public access channel funding was on the chopping block. Does anyone remember Scream TV – Andrew Dalton’s brainchild? I thought that was juvenile, but fun. UWMC has offered some presentations through public access, some have been quite good.
The bigger news, though, in my opinion is that Leah Alters is leaving Wausau. I think it’s great she is departing for a better job – she’ll be missed! Congratulations Leah!
Dino Corvino
6:23 pm on December 21st
The idea that this is announced over the holiday season, instead of a year ago when it first allegedly came up is the real tragedy, no one had time to do the work.
There are cities across this country that have thriving community radio stations, and public access television projects. These are more than tools for college kids, or someone looking to make his buddies laugh.
These are real tools of community news and conversation. There are countless examples of communities put in danger because they lack locally produced media.
This is a serious matter. This was ANOTHER serious bungle by this administration. It is possible to see this through the eye of conspiracy, and I am sure some will.
Barry Liss
6:45 pm on December 21st
I don’t really see how it was the mayor’s fault…what happened was that Charter pulled funding because they are filing for Chapter 11…
Brad Schjoth
6:55 pm on December 21st
My understanding is that Charter has nothing to do with how the channel is funded or produced, that comes from the government itself (which is why the city would be saving the $90,000). I highly doubt that Charter is putting up any money to allow this the channel to go on air, other than it is one other channel they can’t use for other commercial programming. I would be interested to hear more details on what the contract/agreement entails.
So, I’m not really sure what you’re referring to, Barry. Yes, Charter is filing for bankruptcy, but I don’t think that has too much directly to do with this situation.
Dino Corvino
10:15 pm on December 21st
Having done some research, Brad is right.
Barry Liss
7:00 am on December 22nd
Uh wrong, Dino and Brad…off of the WSAW web page:
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/79825127.html
“Funding had been provided by the franchise agreement between Wausau and Charter Communications.
But according to the city, Charter has fallen short on their end of the deal, failing to pay Public, Education and Government, or PEG, access fees.
The City has filed legal action against the cable company.
Charter, which has filed for bankruptcy, has failed to comment.
This announcement also means the Public Access Cable Coordinator, John Jordan will be out of a job, as will a dozen part-time employees.
But he’s not angry with the City.
“I don’t have hard feelings toward the City. I’m disappointed in the cable company for not paying what they should be paying,” Jordan said. “
Saltpeter
10:21 am on December 22nd
I’m sure this has nothing to do with the continuing issue of city hall transparency. It starts at the top. Or in this case, like so many others, NOT. “Public Access” goes away. How convenient. A double whammy by the Mayor. Slick.
Debra Weiss
11:45 am on December 22nd
Hey there you all. I agree that the Wausau channel needs to stay open. This is a very important battle. People may think I’m nuts but the reason why things are being forced through and public access is being shut down is because of power consolidation. People are less informed, and more can be done behind their backs. Local is everything, and someone needs to stand up and say something. It’s the same thing with the “sobriety checkpoints” or whatever euphamistic term they used for them which are ILLEGAL. I will stand up at council tonight and make a few remarks on this and the third street direction. I’m notorious for having the balls to stand up and say what everyone else is thinking, regardless of those that will go to any length to shut the truth up. Anyone care to join me?
Debra Weiss
11:46 am on December 22nd
Council is at 7pm tonight in City HAll. Just FYI if you didnt know
John H. Fischer
1:57 pm on December 22nd
wasn’t going to go to council tonight, normally one meeting a week for pure entertainment purposes is enough…
but.. you might have talked me into it
Dino Corvino
12:59 am on December 26th
I wanted to pass along this little bit of internet follow up. It appears a woman named Barbara Morgan has found the City Hall numbers differ from the City Pages numbers, and they even differ from City Hall numbers at a later time.
This is a fascinating boon doggle.
Way to go Barbara Morgan…
http://bit.ly/6R0zvu