On Monday, June 7, the Methuen City Council passed Resolution TR 10-31 which urges our congresssional delegation to support the Community Access Preservation Act ("CAP" ACT) which was introduced as House bill 3745.
The CAP ACT has provisions to protect community access television stations like ours by holding cable television providers to certain standards such as providing PEG channels that are accessible and of the same quality as other channels on their systems. MCTV thanks our councilors for its unanimous support. The resolution text appears below:
CITY OF METHUEN RESOLUTION for CAP ACT
WHEREAS, public, educational and government (PEG) channels play a significant role in Methuen;
WHEREAS, PEG channels are a unique and valuable resource for local information for the residents of Methuen providing the award winning “Methuen Now” newsmagazine; for nearly seven years; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels televise Methuen government meetings, including City Council, Community Development Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Charter Commission, and School Committee meetings, so that citizens are informed about the actions taken by local elected officials; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels contribute to the democratic process by providing opportunities for all candidates to introduce themselves and discuss local issues during election campaigns whether they have funding or not; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels provide programming in Methuen featuring local performing arts groups like the North Regional Theatre Workshop, Methuen Community Chorus, Methuen Schools and other artists; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels provide programming in Methuen featuring sporting events such as Methuen High School varsity contests, Methuen Youth Hockey and other athletic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels assist local non-profit organizations, such as the ARC of Greater Lawrence and Holy Family Hospital, with educating the public via informational programming; and
WHEREAS, PEG channels provide an opportunity for all citizens of Methuen, regardless of race, sex, creed, economic status or religious beliefs, to produce unique local programming on the topics of their choice; and
WHEREAS, it is important to preserve PEG channels and funding for PEG channels, and to ensure that the channels continue to be available to the entire community to serve the residents of Methuen; and
WHEREAS, HR 3745, the Community Access Preservation Act, addresses critical and immediate threats to our channels;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
The Methuen City Council supports immediate passage of HR 3745; and
The Methuen City Council calls on our Congressional delegation to take all possible actions in support of the passage of HR 3745, including but not limited to endorsing, co-sponsoring and voting for HR 3745, and to work for its rapid passage.
| 
Methuen Community Television
ShareThis