Dillsboro to review franchise with Mediacom cable television provider

By Rose Hooper

"Those who would like to pray or ask for guidance can do so, and others can use the time for meditation," Hartbarger said as she initiated the action.

In other meeting changes, board members agreed to change their regular meeting time to 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

Also Monday, Dillsboro board members agreed to join area municipalities in reviewing their franchise with Mediacom, the local cable television provider. The Federal Communications Commission recently confirmed that a percentage of revenues cable companies collect from local commercials must be included in franchise fees paid to local governments. Cable companies may, in turn, pass along this cost to subscribers.

Mediacom has offered governments the option of not collecting these fees, thereby not increasing costs to subscribers.

Approximately 3 percent of Mediacom's revenue is paid out in franchise fees to the municipalities. Dillsboro's portion last year was $1,139, said town clerk Herb Nolan.

Though the effect of the change on Dillsboro is still unknown, the change approved by the FCC would mean an additional 3 cents on each customer's bill every month in Sylva, according to Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver told Dillsboro's mayor. Hartbarger informed her board of Oliver's suggestion that local municipalities work as one entity when dealing with Mediacom.

Agreeing with that suggestion, Nolan added, "In Jackson County, we should all look at renewing our franchise at the same time."

Mediacom is the eighth largest cable television company in the U.S., with cable subscribers in 23 states.

Also during the meeting, board member Bud Smith reported that several individuals, mainly fishermen, had asked him why the Dillsboro park was locked over the weekend. Nolan replied that a tree had fallen on the fence, making it dangerous for children to play in the area.

The board agreed that the fence should be repaired and the park reopened. Mary Bumgarner volunteered to open the park gates in the morning, and Nolan volunteered to close them in the evening. Jim Cochran will serve as a back-up.

Hartbarger distributed architectural drawings of a section of Cherokee's Master Plan illustrating trolley routes, parks, greenways and historical markers.

"I realize we may not have the budget Cherokee has, but we can dream, and just perhaps we might find funding sources for some of our dreams. Where there is a will, there's a way," said Hartbarger, who requested input from the town's planning board.

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