Operations: Briefs

Cable World, March 20, 2000

GETTING EXEMPT

Cable executives in West Virginia were successful in fending off potential trouble from a bill that would make anyone distributing obscene material to minors liable for fines up to $25,000 or up to five years in prison. The West Virginia Cable TV Assn. worried that the bill didn't exempt cable operators and pushed for an amendment exempting cable service from the regulation.

FRANCHISE FIASCO

US West Communications wants a declaratory ruling from the U.S. District Court in Denver, in its franchise dispute with the city of Boulder, Colo. The city gave the telco an interim revocable permit earlier this year, but officials insisted a city charter requires that the franchise be voted on by residents. The telco believes that requirement is in conflict with provisions of the 1992 Cable Act.

FILLING THEIR COFFERS

Comcast Cable has overpaid the city of Beverly, N.J., about $60,000 in franchise fees, according to the mayor. Mayor Robert Lowden said the over-payments have racked up over the past five years, adding that Comcast hasn't decided what to do about it yet. But council members were eager to let the issue drop last week. "They made a mistake. Thank you very much," said councilman Robert Bancroft.