JACKSON WOULD PAY `FAIR SHARE' IN USE OF ACCESS CHANNEL

JACKSON -- Jackson Mayor Paul Sander says Jackson isn't trying to piggyback on Cape Girardeau's Cable access Channel 5 without paying its fair share.

Sander responded on Thursday to a letter-to-the-editor written by Cape Girardeau Cable-TV Advisory Committee chairman Michael H. Maguire.

Maguire wrote that Jackson had not made a concrete offer to share part of a proposed cable access agreement between the two cities.

Maguire said it was unfair for Jackson to "piggyback" without paying for its share of the cost.

The 1-year-old cable access channel provides Cape Girardeau organizations space to announce meetings and broadcast other information. The city of Jackson has asked, through letters, Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III, to share the access channel.

Jackson has asked to use 10 to 15 percent of the access channel for its community announcements.

A larger character generator might be needed to accommodate the increased channel message load and there might be some additional costs when adding Jackson.

Maguire stands by his statements in the letter.

"We have never seen anything concrete from the city of Jackson," said Maguire. "There never has been a dollar amount given, just generalities."

Sander said Jackson is willing to pay costs associated with its participation on the channel.

"I've communicated that the cities are trying to reach an agreement on the cable channel," he said. "We only want to share a small amount of the access."

It was apparent in Sander's first letter to Spradling, that Jackson would not piggyback.

"In my very first letter I told Mayor Spradling that we are willing to pay our fair share," Sander said. "If that's not concrete, I don't know what is."

Sander said Spradling and Cape Girardeau City Manager Mike Miller have communicated with him on the issue.

"They have done nothing but cooperate," said Sander.

A report on the issue will be presented to the council once the new city public awareness director is in place. Miller said the director will look at the benefits and costs of sharing the channel.

The issue will be based on the needs of Cape Girardeau. Miller said the year-round access usage needs of Cape Girardeau organizations will be an important factor in the city's decision.

"We don't want to make changes in our channel that would have us turn away Cape Girardeau citizens," Miller said. "We want to make sure if we add Jackson to the system we would be able to handle both Cape Girardeau and Jackson."

Sander said he feels the decision to add Jackson to Channel 5 is up to Cape Girardeau officials and city council to decide who pays for what.

"I respect Mr. Maguire's opinion," he said, "but he needs to realize we have always been willing to pay our fair share."