Community Media

No quorum, no meeting last night. The meeting may be rescheduled for July 22, 2008 stay tuned for more fun and frolics. I hope you can join us.

There was no meeting but we did converse while waiting for no show members.

One topic of conversation centered around the City Manager's request of his Cable Advisory committee to recommend how he should allocate the capital grant portion of the cable franchise license to the PEG channels ( 11, 12 and WCCA TV 13).

The conversation got a little testy after WCCA asked why the process of deciding what to recommend to is taking so long, when between the school and city accounts there appears to be a remaining balance exceeding $1.8 million dollars of unencumbered un-used cable franchise money ( as of June 2008). We believe that amount may be more than enough to satisfy the capital needs of all three PEG channels plus finance the attorney for the next renewal .The question seemed to be received with much resentment from the city's director of the government channel, who is also the head of the city's cable division, recording secretary for the cable advisory committee and city administration's liaison to the committee , who also seems to have a lot of clout with the group ( we're not sure how that is not a conflict of interest, but we already fought and lost that one ). The meeting quickly ended, but not before the Committee Chair said he would look into the Government and WPS channel account through the city auditor's department. The representatives from the WPS did not seem to know about the over $ 600,000 balance they had, which I found interesting.

Remember though, this wasn't an official meeting, there was no quorum.

For the last couple of months while we attended the one other cable advisory meeting held, we are told that the capital grant has to be split between the three PEG channels, and we were left with the impression that it was unlikely WCCA's would receive the full amount of capital it needs to meet current equipment needs. In addition we were led to understand that the city may take funds, of the top, to pay for an attorney for the next renewal. Last night,the government channel, the school channel, and WCCA TV13, all informed the committee members in attendance of what each respective channel's equipment capital needs were. WCCA needs to have nearly every single piece of equipment replaced with digital technology. All three PEG channels, combined, need about a bit less than about $ 700,000 Capital funds for the next five years. Not really far from the level capital funds received in 1997.

We hope to avoid any injustice in the process. In the recent past, WCCA has contributed surveys, comprehensive assessments, focus group results, a survey produced by Nancy Richard a member of the Alliance for Community Media, which indicated best practices, franchise rev's, PEG staff assignments, throughout the nation , with intention to help the city's cable and telecommunication strategy. We also pointed to the folks who pioneered this industry and set the standard, to the best of public access centers, and municipal franchise best practices, including third party consulting reports and all the rest of it. More importantly hundreds of people wrote, sent letters, editorials, petitioned, or came to public hearings in support of WCCA, but none of it appears to be enough as far as we can tell ( contrary to the purpose of an ascertainment process). We couldn't find much of it included in the Cable Advisory ascertainment report by the way either.

This however, still raises concerns. TV is the most important medium on the face of the earth.For the past 22 years WCCA, it's staff and volunteers, has and continues to be dedicated to serving the people of this city, as we provide a cutting edge technological resource to empower citizens, so everyone can share in the free flow of information at level unmatched on TV or anywhere else. Public Access is and should be one of the center pieces of municipal telecommunication and cable strategic plans.

When I hear stories of how some cities go out of their way to encourage and support their public access centers, to ensure and be inclusive of Public Access, accepting and fighting to secure the added value and vital role Public Access plays in their community, how do you think it makes us feel in the midst of our experience of Worcester's cable franchise process?

Look through this website, anything you need to know about public access can be found here or through various links throughout it's content.This is not reinventing the wheel.

The city council passed a motion asking the city manager to sign a contract with WCCA by the end of June. Perhaps by the next August Council meeting we have more news to share.

Rich Preston was producing public access programming since, as I can remember , 1990, has passed away suddenly on Thursday July 3, 2008. He produced a wonderful documentary series titled "Through the Lens", I remember he won a Central Mass Community Producers award for his documentary on the "Hermit of Hardwick", back in the early 1990's. He has been co-producing a weekly interview show "Worcester Presents" since 1998 here at WCCA. That show introduced subjects and topics of all sorts, but it all had a key tie with Worcester. He has helped hundreds of local area people share their stories, and experiences with all the rest of us. He had dedication to the public access movement and journalism and videography was his passion. He helped, inspired and made a difference. Rich was a strong advocate of public access. He wrote a number of letters to the city manager, city councilors, and to the editor in support of WCCA TV. It is someone like Rich Preston that allows WCCA to use the bi-line "building community through electronic media". That is what he did in addition to being a loving father to his children. Rich Preston epitomized the community producer and community journalist. We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts a and prays go out to his family and loved ones. +

Obituary

Mauro

Thanks to all to have been writing letters, making phone calls and blogging concerning WCCA TV and the continuity of its future operations. Your help continues to make a difference.

This week the City Manager announced to the city council that he needs additional time for his Cable Advisory Committee and his Administration to conduct necessary due diligence, finalize funding allocation recommendations for the city's PEG channels which includes WCCA TV. Once that is completed, he said he will then be prepared to negotiate a new contract with WCCA TV.

In his communication to the city council, the Manager stated that his Cable Advisory Committee is in the process of researching best practices, determining the specific capital needs of each entity, recommending contract terms and length of contract, performance standards and strategies to ensure financial accountability. This analysis includes review of the contract with the public access television provider WCCA, Inc. which, he wrote, "will form the basis of the upcoming contract negotiations".

He stated that given the importance of the Cable Advisory committee's research and recommendation to the overall allocation process, and the reality that finalizing a new contract with WCCA prior to June 15th is unlikely, that he has decided to extend the contract with WCCA to provide continued funding through September 15, 2008.

Although WCCA appreciates the consideration and sensitivity given by the city to extend continuity of WCCA, the last extension did not address current capital needs or increased cost of meeting current community needs. Many WCCA supporters and community members are concerned with the possibility of the city expending excessive time and expense on this matter as it has already been throughly reviewed during the ascertainment process which began in late 2004.

WCCA agrees and respects a process for due consideration, and it has requested a full opportunity to brief and provide materials to the Cable Advisory Committee. However, whereas the City has conducted extensive ascertainment of need, that began in 2004 and ended in April of 2008, and has received numerous comprehensive assessment reports from a number of public and community sources, including both the Cable Advisory Committee and the Public Service Committee, WCCA and the stations staff and Board, will continue to respectfully request that the Cable Committee and City Manager give due weight to materials already submitted when considering the needs of WCCA and the formulation of a new contract with WCCA. During the recent franchise renewal ascertainment process, materials already submitted called for and demonstrated a need for increased support for WCCA. In addition, in light of this public record, the City Manager had conducted the renewal franchise process with sensitivity to WCCA's needs, and we are hopeful the newly constituted Cable Advisory Committee will act cognizant of this history.

With that said, WCCA is very grateful for the scores of encouraging letters, post cards, editorials, blogs, phone calls, of support. Your help and support in this way is working. Congratulations to YOU.
Our work is not finished with this respect. I look forward to seeing you Wednesday May 21 at WCCA Studio for our open meeting relative to our future.

Sincerely with thanks,
Mauro

Soapbox, hosted by WCCA TV Executive Director, Mauro DePasquale, has brand new episodes in March begining with Mayor Konnie Lukes the week of March 3rd. The week of March 10th, Mauro's guest is City Manager Michael O'Brien. One of the topics discussed will be the issue of foreclosures in the City. Foster care and adoption are the topics discussed the week of March 17th with the Department of Social Services. Kim Kates of the Samaritans joins Mauro DePasquale the week of March 24th. Soapbox can be seen on Wednesdays at 8:30pm, Thursdays at 1:00pm, Saturdays at 10:30pm and Sundays at 6:30pm. If you would like to be a guest on Soapbox please call Tracy Foley at 508-755-1880 x 10 or email tracy@wccatv.org.

WCCA TV offers and presents major community events daily and weekly on TV 13 and over the web. WCCA is a valuable way to promote any event or activity taking place in Worcester. Here is a short example:

EVERY Saturday and Sunday 9:30AM and 5:00 PM Watch COMMUNITY VISION NEWS. WCCA TV community correspondents bring you the latest listings of Cultural and on-profit events, interviews and more. Visit wccatv.com for listings.

EVERY SPRING: DATE TBA "WCCA TV 13's Annual Art ATTACK": An exciting and cool Film, Video and Music Festival. Each year has a special theme presents the finest work of local video artist, musicians, poets, film makers and more.Visit wccatv.com for listings.

WEEKLY: WCCA Offers "YOUNG VIEWS REAL NEWS" Worcester's paramount and longest running youth media program offering a unique global network of young journalist, year round, after school, experiential learning program for Worcester Youth. Visit wccatv.com for listings.

FALL 2008 date TBA: WCCA annual Community Auction to benefit WCCA programing and operations.

WEEKLY: WCCA TV's "Worcester Reading Journal" : Volunteer readers present this public service of local news from participating newspapers, news letters, poets, and more (Beginning January 2008 ).

MONTHLY: Television Production workshops ( Studio, Field, Adobe Premiere Editing, HTML, WCCA web navigation, advacned classes. Ongoing.

DAILY on WCCA TV 13 and streamed in real time over the Internet:
Visit WCCA TV 13's full schedule of programming including minority ( many diverse languages), cultural, educational, municipal, non-profit, electronic bulletin board, and business topics.

WCCA presents over 120 of community produced programming every week. Each production is a cultural activity in itself. A great way to display and promote the creative Worcester.

EVERY SUMMER: Date TBA, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Learning
opportunities for Worcester Worcester Youth.

EVERY SUMMER: Date TBA Operation Military Kids. Military personnel partner with WCCA TV to share video stories, to archive with their children before deployment.

Daily at WCCA TV 13: Media Partnerships, Worcester Windows display, Community Computer lab, Collage internships, youth media programs, and so much more.

THERE WILL BE MORE.

Building community through electronic media since 1986, WCCA TV 13 "The People's Channel", Worcester MA
www.wccatv.com

Look for two new great projects soon to be announced at WCCA.

contact: Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director 508-755-1880 ext. 11

TONIGHT at WCCA's general membership meeting we will be announcing the winners of this years "WCCA TV Viewer Awards".
Did you remember to vote? See if your if your favorite WCCA show made the pick.
RSVP 508-755-1880

Today is Nicole's last day on the job here at WCCA TV 13.
We all wish her well as she pursues her college education. She has been a important and valuable part of our WCCA TEAM. As production facilitator, her efforts have many community programs possible. She has done an outstanding job here and has provided a substantial community service which has benefited ALL of Worcester. We wish her well. She will be a fine WCCA TV ambassador exemplifying all the many great things that come out of WCCA TV. God speed.

We also all welcome Anthony DiBenedetto who will be our new production facilitator and editing trainer. Anthony is highly skilled and enthusiastic he will be a welcomed part of the WCCA TV family. Anthony will be taking over many of the duties Nicole had and then some. For more amazing achievements stayed tuned to WCCA TV 13.

On behalf of all of us at WCCA TV 13, "The People's Channel"
Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director

P.S.
Feel free to leave well wishes and comments if you like.