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May 11, 2011
Dear Members & Friends:
ACMi feels it is vitally important to keep our members and others
up-to-date on developments related to our ability to fulfill our mission
and to serve our community. -- ACMi Staff
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A Message From MassAccess
http://massaccess.org/
Please e-mail and/or fax your representatives and senators the sample letter below. Feel free to make changes to the letter as you see fit. It would be really great if you could also take the time to e-mail the members of the committee below -- especially the Chairs. They are conducting the hearing. We would love to see their inboxes stuffed with e-mail against S. 1687!
Join us at the Statehouse on Wednesday May 18th for the hearing. Bring a camera if you can. The Legislators and Verizon were really impressed by the amount of cameras in the hearing last time! Local media is recording the event!!
The sample letter is below. Use part or all of it, or revise as you see fit, but by all means
send something to these Legislators.
Try to personalize the letter if you can. Add your signature and organization to the letter.
Thank you.
[Date]
Dear [Senator or Rep. name]
I am writing to address Massachusetts Senate Bill 1687. The Bill is currently scheduled for a hearing at the Statehouse on Wednesday, May 18th.
I oppose this bill. It could cripple the ability of our community to effectively support and sustain our local cable television studio.
[insert personal story here-or delete this section]
There currently exists in Massachusetts a legal structure - the Massachusetts Cable Act (M.G.L.166A)- that has allowed, and continues to allow, successful and effective negotiations between communities and cable providers. This law works as it currently exists and it accomplishes its purpose. It provides support that allows for the existence of these vital community resources.
The proposed Senate Bill 1687 only serves to undermine that support. Imposing a 90-day time frame on cable license negotiations, makes this Bill unrealistic and weakens the ability of communities to identify and properly ascertain their telecommunication needs. Verizon has had no difficulty in acquiring cable licenses in the communities they have identified as desirable in Massachusetts, having successfully negotiated over 110 licenses in this state. This bill does not encourage competition; it handicaps the local negotiating position and weakens the community rights the Cable Act is intended to protect.
I urge you strongly to oppose Massachusetts Senate Bill 1687.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
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Here is a list of the members of the
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy:
Senate Chair: Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov
Senate Vice Chair: Marc.Pacheco@masenate.gov
House Chair: John.Keenan@mahouse.gov
House Vice Chair: Kate.Hogan@mahouse.gov
Senate Members
Jennifer L. Flanagan: Jennifer.Flanagan@masenate.gov from Leominster
Eileen Donoghue: Eileen.Donoghue@masenate.gov from Lowell
James B. Eldridge: James.Eldridge@masenate.gov from Acton
Michael R. Knapik: Michael.Knapik@masenate.gov from Westfield
House Members
John H. Rogers: John.Rogers@mahouse.gov from Norwood
Thomas A. Golden Jr.: Thomas.Golden@mahouse.gov from Lowell
Walter F. Timilty: Walter.Timilty@mahouse.gov from Milton
Stephen L. DiNatale: Stephen.DiNatale@mahouse.gov from Fitchburg
Carlo P. Basile: Carlo.Basile@mahouse.gov from E. Boston
Tackey Chan: Tackey.Chan@mahouse.gov from Quincy
John J. Mahoney: John.Mahoney@mahouse.gov from Worcester
Paul Adams: Paul.Adams@mahouse.gov from Andover
Randy Hunt: Randy.Hunt@mahouse.gov from E. Sandwich
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