Published: September 26, 2008 10:04 pm         

Fayette commission extends cable agreements

Talks started to get back public channel

FAYETTEVILLE — Fayette County Commissioners unanimously approved extending two cable franchise agreements for six month with the condition the cable company enters into talks to give the county back its public television channel.

“I don’t have a problem with speaking with any Fayette County officials regarding operation of its public television channel,” said Michael Kelemen, director of governmental regulations with Suddenlink Communications.

Fayette commissioners Ken Eskew, Matt Wender and John Lopez all said the station could be run with the help of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, the New River Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tom Syner of WQAZ 98.5 and 101.5 in Edmond, Lansing, Fayetteville and Oak Hill. WQAZ broadcasts a mix of American popular standards and golden oldies with an emphasis on local Fayette County history & tourism.

Snyer, who has over 20 years experience in television, said the county deserves to have public programming the highlights Fayette County.

“We have the channel space available and I would be glad to work with anyone the county selects to get this process moving forward,” Kelemen said.

Sharon Cruikshank, director of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and New River CVB, said she would approach her boards at their next meetings to gauge interest in becoming involved in promoting tourism, history, economic development, governmental interests and other events happening in Fayette County, like Bridge Day, The Oak Leaf Festival and other heritage events.

“With the history of Fayetteville and the natural majesty of the New River Gorge area, we have so much we could promote about Fayette County,” Cruikshank said.

Kelemen said the channel must be non-commercial to meet state and federal regulations.

The commission agreed to extend the two Suddenlink franchises in the Oak Hill and Mount Hope areas, which were set to expire July 31.

“We are extending the two in Oak Hill and Mount Hope to coincide with two other franchises operated by Suddenlink in the Cedar Grove area and Boomer, Dixie, Pax areas that expire at the end of the year,” Kelemen explained.

Kelemen said at the end of the year, negotiations could take place for a new and consolidated franchise that included the four.

In other Fayette County Commission news:

- Unanimously voted to grant the use of the Memorial Building for a West Virginia Blaze exhibition basketball game with the Harlem Starz from Houston, Texas, on Nov. 5. The Blaze is a new American Basketball Association (ABA) professional basketball team.

- Unanimously voted to accept a petition to enlarge Danese Public Service District (PSD) and reduce New Haven PSD by realignment of territories. This will now allow for a public hearing on the matter set for 11:30 a.m., Oct. 28, during the regular meeting of the Fayette County Commission.

- The next regular meeting of the Fayette County Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com