HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-02-2009 - 4rORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 2, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. `{' - ('
SUBJECT: Resolution Recognizing The Peoples Channel for Ten Years of Community
Service
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Blackmon, 245-2300
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution recognizing The Peoples Channel which is celebrating ten
years of service to the Orange County community.
BACKGROUND: In 1995 a small group of concerned residents formed a non-profit
organization to facilitate Public Access TV for Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. That
organization was The Peoples Channel (TPC). The station opened its doors in the summer of
1998. On May 30, 2009 TPC will celebrate the completion of its 10th year with an event at
TPC's facility at 300-AC South Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The event is free and
open to the public and will also be broadcast live on Channel 8 in Chapel Hill and Orange
County. There will be local bands, activities for kids and adults, free local North Carolina
Barbecue, and a dessert potluck.
For ten years TPC has been promoting the advancement of democratic ideals by ensuring
community members have access to electronic media and by promoting effective
communication through community uses of media. Through TPC area residents have access to
a free speech forum through media production, education and distribution of cable television
programming. Orange County and TPC have worked together for many years to broadcast
Board of County Commissioners' meetings.
Over the years countless people have come to TPC to create and distribute their own media. In
a few weeks TPC will expand its services into neighboring Durham, North Carolina, which until
recently had public access services operated by Time Warner Cable.
TPC's founders, Board of Directors, local media producers, and volunteers are proud of The
Peoples Channel's past achievements and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Despite legislative changes regulating cable TV and times of economic hardships, TPC has
continued to grow. The 10 year celebration is a time for the community to reflect on the
importance of having a space in the media for the community to speak to itself. In times of
greater media consolidation over the last decade, TPC has represented an electronic green
space free from commercial interests.
2
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the resolution
recognizing The Peoples Channel for ten years of service to the Orange County community.
3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Recognizing The Peoples Channel for Ten Years of
Service to the Orange County Community
WHEREAS, in 1995 a small group of concerned residents formed anon-profit
organization to facilitate Public Access TV for Chapel Hill and surrounding areas;
and
WHEREAS, that organization was The Peoples Channel (TPC), with the station
opening its doors in the summer of 1998; and
WHEREAS, on May 30, 2009 TPC will mark the completion of its 10th year with a
celebration event; and
WHEREAS, for ten years TPC has been promoting the advancement of
democratic ideals by ensuring community members have access to electronic
media and by promoting effective communication through community uses of
media; and
WHEREAS, through TPC area residents have access to a free speech forum
through media production, education and distribution of cable television
programming; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and TPC have worked together for many years to
broadcast Board of County Commissioners' meetings; and
WHEREAS, in a few weeks, TPC will expand its services into neighboring
Durham, North Carolina, which until recently had public access services operated
by Time Warner Cable; and
WHEREAS, TPC's founders, Board of Directors, local media producers, and
volunteers are proud of The Peoples Channel's past achievements and excited
about the opportunities that lie ahead;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, do hereby recognize The Peoples Channel for ten years of
service to the Orange County community.
This the 2"d day of June, 2009.
Valerie P. Foushee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners