Northern Berkshire Community Television
I have initiated discussions and facilitated meetings in collaboration with elected and appointed officials of North Adams, Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire and Williamstown that resulted in the creation of our Northern Berkshire Community Television Station, Channels 15, 16 and 17. I also brought neighboring community leaders together to discuss refranchising agreements.
Discussions to expand our selection of local educational programming on Channel 16 resulted in the hiring of an employee to build relationships with schools in Adams, North Adams, Clarksburg and Cheshire.
I authored a Council resolution on cable franchising to ensure that competition in the provision of cable television service has the potential to produce consumer benefits through increased choice and have produced a variety of community television programs by working with volunteers and professionals, including:
- A series of community television programs to make consumers in North Adams and north Berkshire aware of cost-saving measures they can take to save on home energy bills;
- A program with Berkshire Works to promote regional employment opportunities;
- A program with Berkshire County Regional Employment board to promote activities of the board that enhance educational and employment opportunities for residents in North Berkshire;
- A collaboration that produced programming important to the creation of community gardening in North Berkshire;
- Television programs centered on public health and welfare;
- Community television programs on public safety issues such as fire safety, bike safety and neighborhood safety.
- Public Priorities in conjunction with the North Adams City Committee discussing local issues and state politics; in conjunction with the North Adams City Committee discussing local issues and state politics;
- Democratic Dialogues in conjunction with the North Adams City Committee discussing local issues and state politics; andin conjunction with the North Adams City Committee discussing local issues and state politics; and
- Something You Should Know with Councilor Marie Harpin. Interviews with public and private organizations, bringing timely news to the viewers of North Adams, Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire and Williamstown.
Future Efforts:Bringing state government meetings to Channel 17, our local government access station.
