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/• <br /> Agenda Item 4: A Public Hearing on Cable T.V. Franchise <br /> Proposals <br /> The Chairman called to order a public hearing concerning the <br /> franchising of Cable T.V. in the unincorporated areas of Orange County. <br /> Mr. Pete Pettis, Vice President and General Manager of Alert Cable T.V., <br /> spoke reviewing the franchise proposal submitted by Alert. He suggested <br /> the Board of Commissioners should give special attention to the financial <br /> capability of his company as well as the experience they have with <br /> Cable T.V. franchising. They offer a system using the latest technology. <br /> At the conclusion of his statement the Chairman offered the audience the <br /> opportunity to question Mr. Pettis. <br /> Q. Norman Vogel inquired about the service density proposed by Alert? <br /> A. Mr. Pettis replied they proposed coverage to any area that provided <br /> 35 houses a mile; or to any area petitioning for service if they have 17 <br /> petitioners per mile. <br /> Q. Mr. Vogel asked if Alert proposed to construct 160 miles of Cable <br /> within two years from franchise issuance? <br /> -k The company responded yes if the demand for service was that great. <br /> Q. Granger Barrett inquired what the basic $6 charge provided? <br /> A. The company responded, fourteen (14) basic channels. The cost of <br /> premium channels are added to this charge. <br /> Q. Granger Barrett asked about rebuilding cost that appear after the <br /> early years of the proposal? <br /> A. Alert's response indicated much of this cost related to replacement <br /> of converters which have a life-expectancy of four (4) to five (5) years. <br /> Q. Norman Vogel inquired when would the Hillsborough headend be activated? <br /> A. Alert's response was, almost immediately. <br /> Q. Commissioner Barnes inquired, was the installation at Carrboro complete? <br /> A. Alert answered, yes. <br /> Q. Commissioner Willhoit inquired about two-way communication. How would <br /> the need for this service be established? <br /> A. Alert's response, through advice of a local advisory committee. <br /> Q. Norman Vogel asked, are F.M. Channels only for background music? <br /> - A. 110.-F i c ancw.w. !lat. <br /> Ii <br />