Walnut : Council Protests Cable Rates
The City Council will protest a $3-a-month rate increase by Alhambra-based Cencom Cable Television, saying the cable system is gouging the community with its third rate hike in just over two years.
The council agreed to send a letter of complaint to Cencom officials and to begin exploring other options for bringing cable service to Walnut residents.
“Maybe we need to let them know that they can’t raise the prices (so high that) that they get absolutely ridiculous,” Councilman Ray T. Watson said.
When Cencom bought the city’s cable franchise from Choice Television in November, 1989, the monthly service rate was $14.95. The current rate increase, which takes effect Jan. 1, will boost the basic service fee from $20.95 to $23.95 per month, 60.2% more than the original fee.
In a letter to City Manager Linda Holmes, Cencom officials said the latest rate increase is necessary because of increases in programming fees and operating expenses.
Cencom’s franchise agreement with the city expires in November, 1995.
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