Topic: What don't they want you to see.
started by: Liberal
Posted by Liberal on Dec. 13 2005,11:43 am
I was planning to put the County Commissioner meeting on the government access channel. I dropped off the DVD last week and today I got a call from somebody up at City Hall saying they refuse to play it. I asked for a reason and they said that Ron Gabrielson said that I wasn't the official videographer for County Board meetings. When I told the woman that Gabe doesn't decide things like that, and that it should be a issue for the entire County Board, she said that Dave Mullenbach also said they didn't want it shown.I've already contacted a couple local news organizations to make sure they look like the jackasses that they are, I'm expecting a call back after they call those two losers. I told the TV stations that the reason they don't want it aired is probably because they think I've got video of the County Attorney assaulting Roger Bok. The one good thing about this is that all the stations that I called have asked for the clip of the County Attorney, Roger and the Sheriff. So once again the County Administrator and Dave Mullenbach make an issue much bigger than it should be.
If anyone wants to help me out with this, I need people to call that jackass Mullenbach and tell him what you think of his decision not allow me to show the video on the Government access channel
Dave Mullenbach 507-373-5093 (Be sure to keep in mind that he lies through his teeth, so don't let him tell you that it wasn't his decision.)
Also I plan to bring this issue to the entire County Board for a vote so it would help if people called all the commissioners and let them how you feel about this.
Glen Mathiason 507-874-3232
Daniel Belshan 507-448-3332
Jim Nelson 507-383-2605
Mark Behrends 507-373-1903
Dave Mullenbach 507-373-5093
I can still show the video 7 days a week on the Public Access Channel but I have to drive to Austin with the DVD after each meeting and those two morons know it. Obviously it would only make sense to put the County Board meetings on the Government access channel with the rest of the government entities, unless of course you've got something to hide.
When talking to them if they try to tell you that there's a problem with the quality it might help to mention Gabe's quote in the Tribune last February when videotaping was started.
| Quote |
Gabrielsen said though the city and county have not approved the tapings as official meeting broadcasts, he's impressed with the work Hayson has done. "I'm glad he's doing it. I'm glad he's civic minded." < Tribune story > |
Posted by Liberal on Dec. 19 2005,1:10 pm
Here's a copy of the ALTV rules. Clearly there is no provision for needing permission from the government body. So apparently even if you follow all their rules they'll still just pick and choose what will be on the channel based on who you are.< HTML version of the ALTV policy. >
If that doesn't work here's a pdf version.
< PDF version on the city website >
Posted by Liberal on Dec. 19 2005,1:55 pm
I asked the city for a letter explaining why they were refusing to play my DVD on the < City Manager letter in pdf format. >
We set policy at a council level for the staff to follow, not the other way around.
The way it's supposed to work is we have a policy that the council sets, and the hired help follows. This way the council gets to puff up their chests and tell all the sheeple that they run the city, and it also makes staff's job simple enough for a shaved chimp to do. I was under the impression that we were going to do things that way so the city doesn't come to rely on any one person to run the city for more than a quarter century.
Here's the council resolution adopting the ALTV policy that the staff is supposed to follow.
| Quote |
RESOLUTION 05-158 ADOPTED – APPROVING A GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS CHANNEL POLICY Ms. Simonsen presented a draft proposal of the policy and guidelines for use of the Government Access Channel. The purpose of the policy is to define the function of the City of Albert Lea’s Governmental Cable Access Channel 16 also known as Albert Lea Television (ALTV) and to provide direction to the city staff and assist the public in understanding the services offered by ALTV. Albert Lea Television is designated as a government access channel as provided for in the 1994 Cable Act and the Franchise Agreement between the City of Albert Lea and Charter Communications. The mission of ALTV is to enhance the City’s public information and communication system, involve the community in local government decision making, and provide useful information to general and specialized audiences. The policy outlines channel programming, programming guidelines and prohibited programming on the station. The station will allow for a community calendar which will provide a source of timely information about a variety of community activities. Channel 16 may also be used for the purpose of emergency communication as necessary. The City of Albert Lea reserves the right to refuse a request for cable programming which is illegal under city, state or federal laws or in violation of the mission and goals for ALTV. After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 05-158, approving a governmental access channel policy and submission form, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Summers declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted. < http://www.city.albertlea.org/8-22-05min.htm > |
So the next time your local councilman tells you that he's in charge around here make sure to ask him about the ALTV policy.
Posted by Wareagle11B on Dec. 19 2005,3:31 pm
Chad I commend your efforts to make the County meetings available to those of us who cannot attend due to work constraints. I will be calling Commisioner Mullenbach and asking him what he has to hide. As for the others who is the Commisioner for this area? (AL city)Sorry have to add an edit here but something in the rules of ALTV concerns me Chad. Section C.1 states that it must be approved or produced by the Public Info. Coordinator. Could this be a sticking point for you in this disagreement? Just wanted to ask and I am not trying to throw a monkey wrench (just the monkey) into your fight.
Posted by Liberal on Dec. 19 2005,3:45 pm
I think you're reading more into it than is actually there. The Public Information Officer uses the policy to make the decision. That's the point of setting and adopting a policy. If it were done the way you're suggesting then the PIO could make any rule he/she wanted and there would be no point in even having a policy.
Posted by Wareagle11B on Dec. 19 2005,3:49 pm
Nah not reading more into it just wanna make sure they don't try to pull a fast one AGAIN. Thats all I was worried about. Thanks for the clarification. 
Posted by The Game on Dec. 20 2005,1:48 am
Tell you what War Eagle. Forget the second hand info you have been spoon fed since you got back, you want change then fine, let’s do it. Will I take heat from this..yeah I will... I don’t care. After 750 shows the people know where I stand from from my rants on air. Take your butt out of the cave and you and I BOTH run for County. Believe it or not, we have about the same views. Will I take heat for this, yeah I will. I don’t care. I call the county home. My daughter will soon be born in this county, not to mention the other things I have to do family wise that will also be done in this county. Your game, I'm game let's make a friggin difference. Up to you pal; you know you can reach me any time.RH
Posted by The Game on Dec. 20 2005,9:24 am
Darn... Looking at the maps were in the same district. Would it still be possible to run though? I definatly would not want to split the vote. We see eye to eye on quite a few things.
Posted by Scurvy Dog on Dec. 20 2005,9:34 am
| Quote (The Game @ Dec. 20 2005,1:48am) |
| Take your butt out of the cave and you and I BOTH run for County. |
Keep in mind that you may have to quit your job if you do run. From what I understand, political candidates are forbidden from being employed by the media.
A few years ago, one of the newscasters from KIMT (or maybe it was KAAL, I don't recall) threw his hat in the ring and had to resign from his job a few days later. I am not sure if that law would apply to you, but it might be something to look into.
Posted by Replicant on Dec. 20 2005,9:47 am
| Quote (Scurvy Dog @ Dec. 20 2005,9:34am) |
| A few years ago, one of the newscasters from KIMT (or maybe it was KAAL, I don't recall) threw his hat in the ring and had to resign from his job a few days later. I am not sure if that law would apply to you, but it might be something to look into. |
You're thinking of the morning guy on KAAL a couple years back. I don't think it's so much a law as a problem with the "equal time" requirement that candidates are entitled to equal coverage. By being on the air as a newscaster, a person would have more exposure and their opposition would be entitled to equal amounts of time. Obviously instead of doing that, he was removed from the air. Didn't he end up with some production job instead of immediately resigning? Forget his name, Terry something I think. Obviously didn't get elected, I don't recall that he even made it past the primary.
Same thing happened with James Janos when he ran for governor, his show on KFAN or KSTP got dumped.
Having said that, Hunter your passion is admirable. I'm sure you would make a great candidate but I'm not sure if you're ready to give up your day job.
Posted by Scurvy Dog on Dec. 20 2005,9:48 am
| Quote (Replicant @ Dec. 20 2005,9:47am) | ||
You're thinking of the morning guy on KAAL a couple years back. I don't think it's so much a law as a problem with the "equal time" requirement that candidates are entitled to equal coverage. By being on the air as a newscaster, a person would have more exposure and their opposition would be entitled to equal amounts of time. Obviously instead of doing that, he was removed from the air. Didn't he end up with some production job, forget his name, Terry something I think. Obviously didn't get elected, I don't recall that he even made it past the primary. Having said that, Hunter your passion is admirable. I'm sure you would make a great candidate but I'm not sure if you're ready to give up your day job. |
You are correct, sir! Thank you for clearing that up.
Posted by Wareagle11B on Dec. 20 2005,1:50 pm
| Quote (The Game @ Dec. 20 2005,1:48am) |
| Tell you what War Eagle. Forget the second hand info you have been spoon fed since you got back, you want change then fine, let’s do it. Will I take heat from this..yeah I will... I don’t care. After 750 shows the people know where I stand from from my rants on air. Take your butt out of the cave and you and I BOTH run for County. Believe it or not, we have about the same views. Will I take heat for this, yeah I will. I don’t care. I call the county home. My daughter will soon be born in this county, not to mention the other things I have to do family wise that will also be done in this county. Your game, I'm game let's make a friggin difference. Up to you pal; you know you can reach me any time. RH |
Actually most of the info I get about the city and county governments comes from the same place that you and many others get it Game.......The Forum.
I'm considering changing my game plan about running for mayor as something someone said really does ring true. The Mayor's position is nothing more than a glorified cheerleader for the city and he/she has no real authority to say how this city is run. City Council or County commisioner would be the likely step in this case as the power more or less resides with them more so than Mayor. The City Administrator has more authority than the elected body does to run this city and I personally believe that is a true waste. Why bother to have a Mayor at all if they have virtually no authority to run the city? As for your suggestion Game I am definitely looking into it and I'll keep my fellow posters here on the forum, yourself included of course, informed on what I may or may not do.
Posted by Ole1kanobe on Dec. 20 2005,4:28 pm
| Quote (The Game @ Dec. 20 2005,1:48am) |
| Tell you what War Eagle. Forget the second hand info you have been spoon fed since you got back, you want change then fine, let’s do it. Will I take heat from this..yeah I will... I don’t care. After 750 shows the people know where I stand from from my rants on air. Take your butt out of the cave and you and I BOTH run for County. Believe it or not, we have about the same views. Will I take heat for this, yeah I will. I don’t care. I call the county home. My daughter will soon be born in this county, not to mention the other things I have to do family wise that will also be done in this county. Your game, I'm game let's make a friggin difference. Up to you pal; you know you can reach me any time. RH |
Posted by Replicant on Dec. 20 2005,4:39 pm
| Quote |
| Quote (Scurvy Dog @ Dec. 20 2005,9:34am) A few years ago, one of the newscasters from KIMT (or maybe it was KAAL, I don't recall) threw his hat in the ring and had to resign from his job a few days later. I am not sure if that law would apply to you, but it might be something to look into. |
TTT, you're a Mason City kind of guy...did Bill leave the station first and then run or what?
Posted by The Game on Dec. 20 2005,5:04 pm
After looking into it, yes I would have to stop the showgram to run. War Eagle. I totally agree with your last post man and I would back you in the quest to fix, or try to get the things back on track. I still have plans to do another 750 shows here and actually turned down an offer to leave the state and go to a much larger market. I love the area I'm in and I also love what I do too much to give it up at this point. After 3 years here I plan on staying in the area and in Radio and TV if the option opens at some time. This last is off topic, but Merry Christmas to all of you and may you all have a fantastic 2006!RH
Posted by magter on Dec. 20 2005,7:39 pm
hey ron.. you gonna tell us when your bundle of joy arrives? You say it's going to be a girl?? Girls love their daddys.
Posted by allergic to bogus on Dec. 20 2005,8:10 pm
It was an admirable bid. Another case was that of former newsman Ken Cue(sp)??? from Mason City who also became Mayor for a number of years, I recall him well, because as I was growing up in the area, it was well known that due to his glass eye, which tended to remain focused on the camera.....he looked down and read the news with the good eye!!! It was kinda cool!
Posted by The Game on Dec. 20 2005,9:08 pm
Hey Mag, I think the whole town will hear it LOL Not from mommy screaming in labor, but its my first child. Dont get me wrong I have 2 GREAT step sons, but this little bundle has been a long time coming.