JACKSON, CAPE MAY SHARE CABLE CHANNEL

JACKSON -- The cities of Jackson and Cape Girardeau may be using the same cable access Channel 5 in the near future.

Mayor Paul Sander said he has received communication from Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling which expresses an interest in the two cities sharing the channel.

Sander proposed that the cities use the same access channel to run notices of meetings, events and public information. Sander requested 10 to 15 percent of the usage space for Jackson.

"He has expressed interest in an arrangement to share a small percent of the access station and the expense that goes along with it," Sander said.

Sander said the idea to share the channel was originated when he noticed that the channel was only available to those who live in the city of Cape Girardeau.

"I then sent a letter, requesting the sharing, to Mayor Spradling, which he referred to the city of Cape Girardeau cable advisory committee. The committee recommended refusal of the agreement," he said. Sander sent Spradling another letter.

Although the committee did not agree, Spradling said he is still interested in a cooperative agreement to share the channel and will present a proposal to the council.

"We are waiting for the hiring of a public awareness coordinator and checking on expanding the capability of the channel's character generator," he said. "Hopefully we can work something out."

"It makes no sense to have a Cape Girardeau access channel and a Jackson access channel when we can share," said Sander.