Viewers accustomed to watching local government meetings on public access may soon find they have to pay for it.
But Independence Township Board joined the fight against higher cable fees, lending its name in support of lawsuits against Comcast and AT&T in hopes of saving public access channels.
‘There has been a lot of activity over the past 12 -14 months to try and make sure that PEG (Public, Education, Government channels) are accessible and free,? said Kristin Kolb of Secrest Wardle at the March 3 board meeting.
‘The reason why those two points are so important is because under the Federal Cable Act, that’s what it says PEG is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be with your broadcast channels and it’s supposed to be at no additional cost to the subscriber.?
Comcast wanted to switch PEG channels to the 900-channel range by Jan 15, which would require digital equipment.
The cable company offered a free converter box for one year., but most people have more than one television, Kolb said.
‘After one year, everybody would have to pay for it,? she said. ‘For a lot of folks, in particular senior citizens who are on fixed incomes, that addition of $3-6 is going to be a lot and some people frankly didn’t want to pay it.?
Bloomfield and Meridian townships, along with the cities of Warren and Dearborn, filed a lawsuit early last year, hoping to stop Comcast’s plan.
‘Currently, an injunction is in place prohibiting such a move while the various legal issues are litigated,? Kolb said in her memo to the board. ‘As part of the lawsuit, a petition has been filed with the Federal Communications Comission seeking input on legal and technical issues involving the treatment of PEG.?
The board voted unanimously to petition in suport of the lawsuit.
‘It puts our name and the issues on this out in front of the FCC for their consideration and without the additional cost,? said Trustee Mark Petterson .
‘I think it’s important,” said Trustee David Lohmeier. “I’m becoming a much bigger believer of the PEG channels. I never knew how much they were watched until you’re on the thing and people stop you and say ‘I saw this, this was a neat issue.? A lot of people in our communities watch the public access channels.?
The only cost to the township is two hours of legal work by Secrest Wardle. Supervisor Dave Wagner and Trustee Larry Rosso were absent at the meeting.