Why do we even have city commissions?

In some past issues of the Pine Knot News, we’ve implored citizens to step up and serve on city commissions, boards, and committees. It’s a great way to get involved in our community.

But what’s the point of serving on a commission if the city leaders don’t even bother to consult that commission when making long-term decisions?

That’s what is happening with CAT-7. City administration is suggesting substantial changes in the way our cable access channel is managed, and has already cut the coordinator’s position from full-time to half-time.

But no one has called a meeting of the cable commission to get its input. The cable commission, of which I am (was? I’m not sure anymore — we haven’t had a meeting in two years) a member, is charged with overseeing the cable TV franchise and CAT-7.

I agree that some reform is necessary.

The station is funded entirely by cable subscription fees. As cable TV subscribers decline — due to the popularity of satellite and internet options — so do the funds available to pay for CAT-7. That’s normal, and to be expected: nearly every operation evolves over time, and adjustments need to be made.

For example, when was the last time you sent a telegram? Yet AT&T is still one of the largest communications companies in the world. (For those under 50, “AT&T” originally stood for “American Telephone & Telegraph.”) Netflix used to deliver DVDs … through the mail, exclusively. Those companies have evolved and adapted to modern needs.

CAT-7 can adapt, too, if we just put our heads together and work out a plan.

Last fall, Aaron Reeves told the Pine Knot News that he feels the station is underutilized. “Like any city department, we need to make sure we are getting adequate service for the taxpayers’ money. At CAT-7, we’re not getting enough value to justify the expense,” he said.

I understand his concern. But why wasn’t the issue brought up to the cable commission? The city administrator should have called a meeting of the cable commission, probably as early as last summer, when he started to scrutinize CAT-7’s budget and effectiveness.

(It’s fair that it took a year or so for the new administrator to get around to addressing CAT-7. It easily takes that long to deal with all the other, more pressing city issues such as police, public works, and other significant city business.)

The city administrator should have called a meeting of the cable commission, as soon as he realized that CAT-7 needed attention.

I don’t think that’s unreasonable. The cable commission has (had?) bright, involved members with a broad background, and are (were?) eager to dedicate their talents to CAT-7.

A fully staffed and equipped cable TV station doesn’t become obsolete just because fewer people subscribe to cable. The staff and equipment could be redirected into more valuable areas. For example, why can’t the cable coordinator implement live streaming of CAT-7 programming? We may not need to outsource that project; we may have the talent right here already.

Back last fall, city administrator Aaron Reeves agreed. “There’s a lot of potential for our cable channel,” he said. “It’s underutilized now. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions we’d love to hear them.”

So would I. There’s plenty of opportunity to make the CAT-7 budget work well for the area. Let’s call a cable commission meeting and get started.

Pete Radosevich is the publisher of the Pine Knot News community newspaper and an attorney in Esko who hosts the talk show Harry’s Gang on CAT-7. He can be reached at [email protected].