More snow! Wow. Yesterday was the first day of winter, the longest night of the year, but I’m done with winter already.
A LOT OF GOOD “EMPLOYEE OWNED” DOES
Woodman’s cutting mental health insurance for their 2,000 employees? What? Right, the employees made that decision? Some delightful ignorance, from one of their “employees” named Clint Woodman at the end of this story.
WAUSAU LOSES GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY TELEVISION
WAUSAU AREA ACCESS CHANNEL CLOSES
Wausau, WI, December 21, 2009 – Today Mayor Tipple announces that after January 31, 2009, the City of Wausau will no longer be able to fund the two Public, Education and Government (PEG) Access Channels (Cable Channel 98/980 and 96/981). The Wausau Access Coordinator position will be eliminated and the Wausau Area Access Channel Office located in City Hall will be closed at that time. “These are tough economic times that require tough decisions,” explains Mayor Tipple.In addition to serving as a way to locally exercise First Amendment rights of Free Speech, the Wausau Area Access Channels 98/980 and 96/981 have played an important role in our region, broadcasting area fabric-of-life events such as:
♦ local and regional candidate forums and volunteer recognitions
♦ unedited coverage of our local city council, school board and county board meetings
♦ complete game coverage of our local high school sports teams
♦ local high school graduations
♦ local church services,
♦ local parades
♦ locally produced programs and informational programs created by local services and non-profit organizations
♦ programs from federal agencies such as Social Security, NASA and the Armed Services
♦ programs to explain changes or improvements in services and proceduresFunding for the Wausau Area Access Channels had been provided by the franchise agreement between the City of Wausau and our local cable provider, currently Charter Communications. While Wausau Access Channels served the greater Wausau area, only the City of Wausau franchise agreement provided any funding.
When the state passed Act 42 replacing local franchise agreements with a standard state wide franchise, Wausau PEG support fees were eliminated after a three year sunset. That sunset would occur December 31, 2010. The City of Wausau has not received any PEG support fees from Charter Communication during the three year sunset period.
The cost of maintaining the current service and keeping the channels live would be $90,000. Interim funding streams are being explored while a longer term solution is being sought.
♦ The city of Wausau may recover the PEG support fees from Charter.
♦ All communities served by the Wausau Area Access Channels could consider sharing the cost of the channels.
♦ If the State Legislature passes the AB 606 Cable Consumer Repair Bill, 1% of the gross revenue from the local cable company can be requested to fund the local access channels. With the support of our state legislators and using the leadership positions that they hold, this bill could be passed quickly, securing long term survival of these valuable resources.
♦ Local residents, businesses and organizations could step forward with financial help to keep the doors open.Once the public access channel goes dark, it will be difficult to reactivate it in the future.
WATER RATES GOING UP TODAY?
Tuesday, December 22
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
610 N Whitney Way
3rd Floor
10:30 AM
Agenda Items 13.-14. (Last items on the agenda) Madison Water Utility request to increase water rates
THE THINGS YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT
Digesting your food for energy. Um, but not quite the way you think. Turning food waste, garbage, into methane. Uh, stimulating.
That’s it for this morning . . . a brief round up, as promised.
