LETTERS: CHANGING CABLE TB

To the editor:

As a citizen of this great city and a former member of the Cable TV Advisory Board, I understand the frustrations felt by the many persons calling in to Speak Out. In a survey conducted by the advisory board of cable service provided to similar size cities, Cape Girardeau's cable service had the fewest channel offerings of those surveyed. Some of these cities were even smaller than Cape Girardeau, which means size is not a factor in determining the number of or quality of channels to be offered.

One problem with another cable-TV company coming in is cost. There is a great deal of expense to run new underground cables throughout the city. Another problem is the city franchise fee all cities come to depend on for extra revenue. Just like bonds passed that have a sunset clause -- when has anyone seen a true sunset on a tax passed in any city? It doesn't happen. Cities become dependent on these taxes. Compare it to two people working to help make ends meet. It may have started out to be for a short time, but you become used to that extra income. It's quite an adjustment and a hardship to revert back to a one-wage family.

To sum it up, cable competition won't come in because of the enormous cost factor. The city fathers are reluctant to challenge TCI too strongly because of the fear of losing franchise revenue that's been encumbered for city operations. And citizens mere call Speak Out or do nothing to mobilize TCI toward change. The end result is the cable company does things its way. I have yet to receive a survey from TCI asking me what I would like to see on cable. Yet TCI cries, "Survey says" like on a game show. With fiber optics and satellite systems, among other new technological options coming on the scene, what would entice TCI to change the status quo? You could.

Calling Speak Out may make you feel better, like punching a pillow, but it doesn't change things. What happened to the Boston tea party mentality of the past? What happened to the movers and shakers, people who would self-sacrifice for a cause? I read complaints. I hear complaints. But I don't see anyone out there willing to give up cable in protest. Get neighborhood petitions together to send to them demanding changes and to demand TCI upgrades its system. Don't go to the local office. It's on the defensive and unable to do anything. Write, call and write more letters to the home office to demand better cable television for your money. Enclose letters with your cable bill. Cape Girardeau is paying about $5 to $10 more for fewer channels than other cities surveyed. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Remember, also, TCI knows people won't give up their cable. The people will complain for a while and then settle in. Don't expect the government to change things, as you can see. And I learned that government intervention means bureaucratic rhetoric, and these big guys know how to circumvent the system. Look at Ma Bell's breakup and oil-company deregulation for a historic lesson in futility.

As for me, I love animals, so Animal Planet is fine. There is nothing wrong with children learning to appreciate the life that share our world. The real problem is not taking one channel off to put on another. It's cheating the public of all the channels our city is entitled to receive for the money paid out. It's funny that other cities can have more for less than Cape Girardeau. Let's show TCI that Cape Girardeau is no longer willing to lay down and play dead. Why have 150 channels on our TV set when we are offered only 38 channels? Put the pressure on TCI to do what is right. To complain to the city or Speak Out is blowing in the wind. One person can't do it, but a whole city of people can.

MARYANN "MIKI" GUDERMUTH

Cape Girardeau