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City studies revamping Channel 12 |
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Wednesday, 11 February 2009 |
A Benton City Council committee on Tuesday night conducted what was billed as an information-gathering session regarding the future of the city’s community access television channel, but the panel ultimately voted to explore the possibilities of revamping the present channel while also pursuing the establishment of a government-education channel as well.
Marsha Guffey, the city’s director of community development, said officials with Charter Communications have said they will provide two channels to the city.
Among those attending the Community Services Committee meeting, the feelings among both the spectators and the committee members were divided. Several said they want the channel’s present format, which includes broadcasting community events and local church services, to continue, but stated they must have more members for the nonprofit association to function in accordance with its bylaws.
When the session concluded, several people in attendance joined BCA and volunteered to help the association.
Guffey said she has done research on the government/education channel and met with officials of local school districts and University of Arkansas at Little Rock-Benton in regard to student participation with the programming. Officials of the Benton, Bryant, Bauxite and Harmony Grove districts say they are interested in participating on some level, Guffey said.
Alderman Joe Lee Richards, who previously was a board member and an officer of BCA, recently resigned from the board and pointed out that he was present strictly as a City Council member.
Richards noted that the council, by ordinance, agreed to pay a monthly amount — $450 — to BCA for the operation of the channel, which includes the videotaping and broadcasting of city meetings.
In January, Richards said, Mayor Rick Holland ceased making those payments without a directive of the council, Richards said.
Holland was not present for Tuesday’s meeting.
David Knighton, who has been a BCA volunteer, questioned Charter’s ability to provide two channels, but said this would be an ideal situation.
“What it Charter can only do one?” he said.
Guffey had documentation of Charter’s commitment to provide the two channels.
“If there are two channels, I’m in total agreement,” Knight said. “We would have the option to make the city of Benton look great on a broad spectrum ... but having public access is a very important thing.”
Alderman Steve Lee said he believes the city should correct any problems with the existing channel, but expressed some reservations about the commitment that would be given by school districts for the proposed government/education channel.
Lee also said that he personally feels that “the people who have been holding this together should be commended.”
David Mattingly, a Benton resident, asked Richards several questions about the operation of BCA.
Mattingly stressed the need for BCA’s board to have enough members to meet the requirements of its bylaws.
He pointed out that city officials should not be interfering with the channel’s operations, but said because of BCA’s limited leadership, citizens have had no other recourse.
Nathan Runy, who has volunteered in the past for BCA, said he and others ceased to be active when they felt they were wrongly treated by Alderman Doug Stracener in a city meeting.
He and others “put in hundred of hours,” he said, but contended that “e were belittled ... .”
“We don’t want any credit, but I’ve never felt such a negative response” as what they received in the council meeting.
“There are a lot of us who want to volunteer,” Runy said.
“You shouldn’t have to come to the City Council,” Mattingly said, noting that the programming for the channel should be “determined by the people.”
“The city Council shouldn’t be doing anything about this,” Mattingly said. “That’s the law.”
Aldermen Bill Donnor and Jerry Ponder said they are in favor of developing the government/education channel if the local students can become involved.
Johnny McMahan, who is president of BCA, wants the current channel to be allowed to continue, but said he doesn’t “want anyone to think I’m no for the education/government channel.”
McMahan is in favor of both types of channels.
Alderman Charles Cunningham presided in the meeting.
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