THOUSAND OAKS : Schillo Backs Hiring Cable Consultants

In an effort to lower cable-TV rates, Thousand Oaks Councilman Frank Schillo has proposed that Ventura County cities band together and hire consultants to explain the regulation process.

Interested cities would join a regional cable consortium to seek control over local cable rates and to monitor customer service.

“Working together we could effect a lot more changes than working independently,” Schillo said. “In the consortium, we could all truly represent our citizens and their concerns and try to get a rate reduction.”

The Thousand Oaks City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to hire the consultants, brothers Tracy and Derek Westen, attorneys with expertise on the Federal Communications Commission and cable laws.

At $150 an hour, the consultants’ fees would be affordable if divided up among several cities, Schillo said. The Westens have proposed holding a seminar on the 1992 Cable Act, which an unlimited number of staff or elected officials from each city could attend.

“It’s hard for city attorneys to get up to speed on an esoteric area like this,” Derek Westen said. “I think this proposal will give the cities real value.”