Learning to love PEG

This coming Tuesday two city councilors are asking the city manager to consider a short term franchise with Charter. We understand and appreciate the frustrations many have with Charter. However, the city may be making a mistake of shooting itself in the foot in this situation. If telecom companies are successful in eliminating municipal franchise authority by lobbying Fed and stte legislators, the city will loose all current franchise benefits (including WCCA and ch 11 and 12, as soon as the franchise term expires. I strongly suggest some sort of "most favored nation clause" or other legal protection to ensure Charter, or whoever the video over cable/broadband provider, will comply to meet the city's franchise needs. Franchise term is better to long and in deep. A short term franchise agreement may be the worst thing this city can do for it's communities. It may be the last chance to continue benefits of a franchise license.

On another remote but related note. The following blog sheds interesting light on PEG channels. This is something our city manager, his lawyers and the council should read and consider what is in the balance if the city fails to do the right thing:
Learning to love PEG