THOUSAND OAKS : City Compromises on TV Coverage
A heated dispute over the use of the Thousand Oaks government television station, TOTV, to cover City Council committee meetings ended in a compromise early Wednesday.
Mayor Elois Zeanah had proposed airing two upcoming crime prevention task force meetings on the city’s station, Channel 10, because she believed the issues being discussed were important for public safety.
But Councilwoman Judy Lazar protested Zeanah’s proposal, saying it was politically motivated and inappropriate.
“Committee meetings are supposed to be working sessions,” Lazar said. “It’s an informal event. It’s not meant to be televised.”
At 2 a.m., during a lengthy council meeting, the two argued the point for about 20 minutes.
When the exchange became heated, Councilman Alex Fiore stepped in and suggested that the city air one meeting on TOTV and broadcast the second meeting on public access television.
Council members approved the plan 5 to 0 and said they would take up the issue of televising committee meetings at a later date.
Several other issues on the agenda Tuesday night, including debate over a possible children’s museum in the city, were postponed because of the length of the public hearing.
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