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from: Leader Online

Akron Council opposes SB 117

By Stephanie Kist

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The 11 members of Akron City Council present for the June 4 meeting voted unanimously to oppose Ohio Senate Bill 117. Councilwomen Reneé Greene (D-Ward 4) and Terry Albanese (D-Ward 6) were absent.

The resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Michael Williams (D-at large), has been on Council’s agenda for several weeks as the bill, which would introduce changes to cable franchising in Ohio, made its way through the legislature in Columbus.

“The key issues that we have concerns about have not changed to date,” Williams said during the Public Utilities Committee meeting.

Williams stressed that Council is not against competition but is concerned with the way franchising and the cable industry would be regulated, and also with the fate of public access channels.

Committee Chairwoman Tina Merlitti (D-Ward 7) added the state is again attempting to strip power from cities.

“We need to make our voice heard while they’re in the negotiation process,” she said.

[For more information on SB 117, see “Cable bill opponents continue fight,” which appeared on Page 1 of the May 17, 2007, edition of the West Side Leader, or visit the archives at www.akron.com.]