With all of the changes happening with the Oxford Area Cable Communications Commission, one thing will remain the same ? Addison Township’s funding level and number of votes.
During the Jan. 16 township meeting, the board voted 7-0 in favor of keeping its funding level for the cable commission at 50 percent of the franchise fees it receives for the 2012-13 fiscal year, and to have one vote on the cable board.
Currently, Addison Township contributes 50 percent of its franchise fees it receives from Charter Communications and AT&T, which help fund Oxford Community Television.
Addison Township Supervisor Bruce Pearson proposed keeping the rate the same and staying with the one vote on the cable commission.
Pearson informed the board he met with Oxford Township Supervisor Bill Dunn, Oxford Village President Tom Benner and Leonard Village President Mike McDonald on Jan. 12 to discuss the future of the cable commission’s voting membership.
Pearson told the board the motion in the trustees board pack had changed.
‘At that time, the preliminary motion was that Oxford (Twp.) would have three (votes), we would have two and the villages would have one,? Pearson said. ‘But after looking at the amount of money each community puts in…I think we all agreed at the meeting that Oxford would have two and the rest would have one a piece,? Pearson said.
Currently, Addison Twp. only contributes 10 percent of the funds to the cable commission, which oversees Oxford Community Television.
According to Pearson, Oxford Village contributes 11 percent, the Village of Leonard 2 percent, and Oxford Township contributing 77 percent.
‘We believe they (Oxford Township) are a greater amount, they get a greater voice,? Pearson said.
Pearson also noted Oxford Public Library and Oxford Community Schools withdrew their votes from the cable commission board.
Trustee Linda Gierak was not thrilled with the school district’s and library’s decisions. ‘I see many boards that are composed of voting members and non-voting members and to not have the library and school board participate is disappointing,? she said. ‘I understand the voting part of it with the funding, but I would hope maybe one day in the future they would participate.?
‘The cable television has done a terrific job and I would guess . . . the schools are one of the main things they do cover,? Pearson said. ‘So I believe the school is always going to have an input, always be involved because all of our kids go there and that is what we want to know about.?