Posted on 08/21/2003 1:17:41 PM PDT by rface
"Id be pretty ticked off" if the free-cable arrangement ended, said Leslie Bennett, a Paquin Tower resident who likes to watch Cardinals baseball on Fox Sports.
...if Virginia Piltz had to pay for cable TV, shed have to go without groceries..."Id go nuts if I didnt have it"
Virginia Piltz is confined to a motorized cart and hampered by the crumbling sidewalks and curbs around her Paquin Tower apartment as well as handicap-inaccessible stores and restaurants.
A simple trip to the movies becomes an expedition involving a special van. Piltz often relies on cable television to provide a window to the world via the Discovery, Food and Weather channels.
Thats why Piltz is dismayed by the possibility that Mediacom might stop free cable service to residents of Paquin Tower and Oak Towers, public housing high-rise apartments. Piltz is on a fixed income, and if she had to pay for cable TV, shed have to go without groceries if she wanted cable, she said.
"Id go nuts if I didnt have it," Piltz said.
On Monday, Columbia Housing Authority Executive Director Doris Chiles told the Columbia City Council that Mediacom had notified her of the possible change because the company could find no record indicating the company or its predecessors had pledged to provide the service.
If they dont find a letter that established the pledge as a practice, Mediacom officials said, they might have to start charging for the service.
The service costs $44.90 per month for the average consumer, although a bulk purchase by the housing authority would amount to fees of $35 per month, depending on what deal the city and housing authority could strike with Mediacom. The housing authority owns and operates both towers.
Chiles raised the issue in a hearing on the renewal of Mediacoms franchise contract with Columbia. Already, Mediacom has taken heat from local public-access cable proponents who claim the firm hasnt taken seriously its requests to establish a public-access cable channel.
The council is considering whether to renew Mediacoms cable contract with the city, where there are 46,000 subscribers.
"Were looking for a yes-or-no answer," Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Loveless said. "Will there be continued free service to Paquin and Oak towers?"
"The product isnt ours to give away," answered Arnold Cool, regional vice president for Mediacom, who attended the meeting with Mediacom Senior Director of Operations Gary Baugh and Mediacom Government and Community Relations Manager Stan Melton. "We need to clear it with the CEO."
Baugh said yesterday that the issue surfaced because Mediacom needs documentation to account for the free cable service it provides. Baugh said the firm is paying for the cable programming for the towers but isnt reimbursed for the service by the housing authority.
Baugh said the free programming could continue for the towers but it would have to be negotiated during renewal of the cable franchise. Otherwise, the housing authority would probably be billed at a bulk rate that would be decided during negotiations.
Chiles said the housing authority was unable to afford cable service for the 347 residents who now get it.
Regardless, Baugh said, no changes in cable service would occur until late next year or early 2005, when the new franchise agreement goes into effect. Baugh said free cable service has been provided to Paquin and Oak towers for as long as cable television has been available, but Mediacom hasnt been able to find a contract that commits the cable provider to that service.
Chiles told the council Monday that she hasnt been able to locate such a contract, either. The service also isnt mentioned in the citys ordinance regarding cable franchise regulations.
The matter has been referred to the councils cable television committee.
The residents at both buildings are anxiously awaiting the outcome.
"Id be pretty ticked off" if the free-cable arrangement ended, said Leslie Bennett, a Paquin Tower resident who likes to watch Cardinals baseball on Fox Sports.
I know someone who is in a wheelchair and is overweight. The weight problem is due to health reasons. She's in her early 50's and COULD be sitting around all day in her chair, complaining and watching TV.
She's chosen to become active in the building she lives in, being active with their social activities. You see her around town, in the motorized wheelchair...sometimes, with her grandson on her lap. They're having a ball.
She goes to church and is active there, too. NOT sitting around!!!
My problem is NOT with this lady in this picture. My problem is with cable being offered for free. Period.
Well, which ever it is it's obviously the fault of Big Food. (/sarcasm)
I agree. The article does state, however, that the sidewalks near her home are "crumbling" so I suspect getting out in the chair may be very difficult.
Once someone is large and likely has health problems and becomes used to staying in, it's difficult to change. The best thing would be to let the cable go and have some volunteers help her get out and about. Easier to just let her sit and watch tv. Maybe no one around her knows she needs that kind of assistance?
Window, hell, sliding-glass door is more like it!
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