"We analyzed ten providers' monthly charges for basic and expanded basic service in 17 Wisconsin municipalities at two points in time-July 2007 and July 2009-using data reported to us by the providers. Over this two-year period, charges for basic service increased an average of 21.2 percent, and charges for expanded basic service increased an average of 11.5 percent."

Documentary filmmaker George Stoney, professor at New York University, was in Madison to participate in the Nelson Institute's film fest Tales from Planet Earth. Professor Stoney is known as the "father of public access" for his pivotal role in galvanizing the use of cable television systems "to enable people to speak for themselves." Lindy Anderson, producer with the Madison Metropolitan School District, made the arrangements to produce an interview with Prof. Stoney. Marcia Standiford, Media Production Manager for the Madison Schools and Mary Cardona, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels, conducted the interview. Copies of the interview will be made available to WAPC members stations.

Autumn brings a harvest of supportive and much-needed legislation for PEG.

Wisconsin's own Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-2nd) has introduced the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act in Congress which would have a strong positive effect on public, education and government access channels.

WAPC applauded the proposal in an October 9 press release saying it believes the CAP Act would resolve problems that have arisen because federal cable law, new state video franchise laws, and recent FCC decisions have not been working successfully together to safeguard local community-based PEG channels and that Wisconsin PEG stations would benefit from the CAP Act in several ways.

Not to be outdone, Wisconsin Rep. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) unveiled the Cable Consumer Repair Bill which includes provisions to safeguard PEG, broadband provisions and stronger consumer protections.

There's much more on both pieces of legislation and on actions you should take to promote them at Save Access TV Wisconsin.

Our fall workshop attracted 21 people from 16 public, education, and government access stations around the state to discuss issues of importance to our community PEG channels.

The group appreciated City Administrator Scot Simpson's thoughtful opening remarks about his experiences with community television in River Falls and Janesville and its value to the community. Everyone was also extremely impressed with the new "green" City Hall and the simply beautiful and well- designed space for River Falls Community Television.

Thanks especially to Dawn Wills who managed all the logistical details for the event and arranged for Nick Dangeur of UW-River Falls to provide an excellent demonstration of the TriCaster portable production package.

DVDs of the Workshop are available.

Mike Ryan, Director of West Bend Community Television, used a stop watch to see how long it takes to get from a commercial channel to the West Bend Community Channel. It's more than 5 seconds. It's more than 15 seconds. It's more than 30 seconds. A viewer spends nearly 45 seconds navigating through menus to get to a PEG channel.

Is this how you watch TV?

Guess how long it takes to get from a PEG channel back to a commercial channel. Watch the video to find out.

Local access television stations have been dealt a serious blow with state franchise legislation (Act 42), which became law at the end of 2007. Wisconsin PEG channels are working together to advance the following issues:

• Community PEG channels should stay on the most basic tier of service.
• Community PEG channels should be supported with a dedicated monthly fee.
• Community PEG channels should be carried without interference and treated like all the other channels.
• Communities should not be required to buy transmitting equipment for every video provider that offers service in a municipality.
• Communities need the full enforcement power of the State of Wisconsin to protect the interests of the public.

Every month, the Wisconsin Community Television Times highlights these needs and illustrates how the current legislation affects our state. Subscribe now by entering your email address in the sign up box at right.

Executive Director, Janesville Television, 1997-2009
WAPC Board of Directors, 2004-2008
WAPC Vice-President, 2005-2008
Spring Conference Coordinator, 2005-2008

Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009

We recognize Judi for her founding community access work in the City of Janesville, for her five years of outstanding service on the WAPC Board of Directors, and for her impeccable management of our Spring Conferences.

We are also deeply grateful to Judi for her fierce and relentless advocacy for community television during the big legislative fight to save it in 2007. Judi was a key player, who used her considerable skill to help legislators "get" the importance of PEG.

Her many friends who have had the pleasure to work with Judi and seek her sage advice over the years have been enriched by her professionalism, inspired by her commitment, and warmed by her great friendship.

Judi was honored to be recognized by her peers in the Hall of Fame. She loved access. "The best part of my job is talking with volunteers to hear their stories about the programs they produced and how much they appreciate our help and the opportunity to share their community interests with a larger audience."

Judi gave us so much.

We will miss you!

Judi's Hall of Fame remarks

Judi's obituary

Councilman Yuri Rashkin's blog entry on Judi's passing

Rock County Hall of Fame inductee

Tribute to Judi Kneece on WCLO 1230am, Stan Milam Show (audio file; tribute is in last 1/3 of file)

Those who knew Judi will appreciate the Janesville Gazette article that captures her effect on others.

Thank you for your article "Video franchise law no boon to consumer" (November 8, 2008). As Rick Barrett reported, the law that standardized cable television franchises statewide has not decreased rates, created long-term jobs, or brought competition quickly to the marketplace as promised by AT&T and its lobbying partner, the cable industry. Unlike the local franchise system that empowered municipalities to enter into good-faith negotiations with cable companies to resolve problems, the law that passed the legislature last December has established weak state oversight and stripped municipalities of any control. (The letter continues here.)