Council OKs Access to Cable Talks

The City Council has agreed to allow the public to view what were previously closed-door cable-franchise negotiations with Avenue TV Cable and Century Communications Corp.

The council voted 6 to 1 Monday to allow a behind-the-scenes look at the negotiations, which have been mired in controversy over the issue of public access. Councilman Ray Di Guilio cast the dissenting vote.

“I am obviously very pleased,” said Mayor Jim Friedman, who brought the request before the council. “I think it is going to serve the public well to have negotiations opened up to the public.”

Century Senior Vice President Bill Rosendahl said there is nothing private about the franchise negotiations and that greater access to information will benefit the public.

Avenue TV Cable owner Stephen George also supported the move.

Earlier this month George won a temporary restraining order against the city after officials banned his video cameras from a series of focus group workshops designed to lay the groundwork for the franchise negotiations.

City officials filed a complaint the same day in Superior Court and canceled all but one of the workshops, claiming the cameras would inhibit participants.