Act Now!!
Time is critical. We need your signatures now!

Please print, sign, get copies from your friends, neighbors and groups or clubs. This is the best chance Louisville and area citizens have to take a stand for media democracy. Thanks!


Petition For Special Review
of the Cable and Communications Franchises of Louisville, KY, USA

Why a Special Review?

The current Cable Franchise Ordinance strips citizen oversight of the cable company.
But it allows the Director of Public Works to hold a Special Review if asked for in writing by at least 100 citizens. Citizens and Government can also hold Public Affairs hearings and inquiries on cable and communications policies in Kentucky & Indiana.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR A SPECIAL REVIEW. WHY?

1) Insight / Carlyle violated the Franchise Ordinance by failing to get approval for change of ownership from Metro Government. The new owner is the Carlyle Group, a private international venture group with deep ties to the military-industrial complex. According to the Louisville Cable and Communications Ordinance, failure to notify and get approval of ownership changes is grounds for revocation of the franchise.

2) Insight / Carlyle is trying to shut down independent local voices, including Channel 24 on December 31, 2005, and limit public access. Channel 24/WYCS is Louisville’s only independent local television station focused on minority, immigrant, local production and content. Insight has also limited cable public access to only one channel, (98).

3) The Metro Franchise Ordinance and Franchise Agreement eliminate citizen oversight and need to be re-written. The reconciliation ordinance and franchise after Merger cut out all oversight by citizens or the Council. The Cable Commission (5 City employees and 2 Citizens) can only address rate issues, not public policy or citizen access. The ordinance strips the Telecommunications Commission of any authority. It does not define public access rights or issues, excludes participation by neighborhood, demographic or other groups. In short, it eliminates citizens and replaces them with consumers who have no voice or power.

4) The Kentucky Legislature passed the Fletcher Tax Law, HB 272, which strips the City of much of it’s tax and oversight authority over cable. The City must file immediately with the State to keep it’s rights, and may need to change it’s ordinance and franchise in order to cope with HB272.

For these and other reasons, we, the undersigned citizens of Louisville, call upon the Director of Public Works, Mayor, Metro Council Legislature and Citizens Organizations to conduct a Special Review and broad Public Hearings of the Cable Franchise, other franchises, franchise ordinances and communications policies of the City, immediately.


Name Address City Zip Metro District? Phone Email
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Please sign and make copies of this petition.
Mail to: Louisville Metro Dept. of Public Works, Director Jim Adkins, 444 S. 5th Street, Suite 400, Louisville, KY 40202, Main switchboard: 502.574.5810, Jim.Adkins@loukymetro.org

Copy to: Media, Ky Alliance, 3208 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211, kyall@bellsouth.net

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