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f <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Moses Carey, Jr. <br /> FROM: Robert J. Gwyn, Chairman, Cable T sion Advisory Committee <br /> DATE: November 21, 1995 <br /> oY <br /> SUBJECT: Issues and Priorities <br /> This is in response to your request for the identification of <br /> the top priority of the Cable Television Advisory Committee as input <br /> to the Board of Commissioners' Goal Setting Retreat <br /> As the Board of Commissioners know the Cable Television <br /> Advisory Committee has been working for more than two years on the <br /> cable television renewal process. At this time the Board of <br /> Commissioners approved a Request for Proposal which has been given <br /> to Time-Warner and CVI (since the final steps in the acquisition of <br /> CVI by Time-Warner have yet to be taken, CVI is considered a separate <br /> company). The companies are to respond by the end of December and a <br /> public hearing on their responses will be scheduled. The negotiations <br /> will begin in January. <br /> The Cable Television Advisory Committee has three main <br /> priorities in this negotiation: <br /> (1) THE REUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF OCCUPIED HOMES IN AN ARA THAT <br /> WOULD REQUIRE THE EXTENTION OF CABLE <br /> The Commissioners are well aware of the rapid changes in the <br /> networking of information , including computer networks, the internet, <br /> the world wide web and cable television and satellite television. All <br /> of these technologies are coming together in ways we are not able to <br /> predict. It is essential that the people of Orange County and the <br /> government and education infrastructure be able to connect with these <br /> information sources. If people in this rapidly urbanizing county (with <br /> the current restrictions on development) are able to connect with <br /> cable television it is essential that the line extension policy be <br /> altered. We are recommending a minimum of 15 homes per mile as the <br /> trigger to start line extension. While we might be able to negotiate <br /> this number, we feel it is essential to require more of the cable <br /> companies. <br /> 2. THE ASSIGNMENT ASSIGNMENT OF PEG CHANNELS AND FUNDING FOR AN <br /> EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE CHANNELS <br /> The Committee is very concerned about the Public Access, <br /> Education Access and- Government Access channels. If Orange County <br /> is to have full access to these channels it is essential that the <br /> franchising governments (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Orange <br /> County) cooperate in their utilization. A regional approach with <br /> contracts with an independent non-profit corporation which would <br /> operate the technology and provide production assistance seems most <br />