Chief
02-17-2008, 07:58 AM
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/02/02172008_Neighborhoods-open-stage-to-opinions-on-rail.cfm
Sunday, February 17, 2008
BY JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer
Whether it turns out to be an informative discussion or a rambling free-for-all, this week's forum on light rail is already stirring up a ruckus.
Fifteen Vancouver neighborhood associations are sponsoring the forum. Instead of a traditional format, with panelists giving presentations and answering questions, organizers want a free-flowing discussion where virtually anyone can speak.
"Each neighborhood, because they are co-sponsors, are allowed to invite whomever they would like to speak," said Anne McEnerny-Ogle, chairwoman of the Shumway Neighborhood Association.
The forum also won't feature a dais.
"We will be 'in the realm,' " McEnerny-Ogle said. "We will not have panelists sitting up there talking to us."
Any discussion of light rail is a flash point for the Columbia River Crossing project, a $4 billion-plus package that likely will include replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge, building a series of highway improvements and extending Portland's light-rail line into Vancouver.
CVTV, the Clark County-Vancouver cable television network, has irked some by declining to cover what it characterizes as a "neighborhood event."
Charlie Stemper, a two-time candidate for Vancouver City Council, sent out a newsletter Thursday questioning CVTV's decision.
"This is your government television station paid by your tax dollars saying that an unbiased forum is not worth their effort to tell all sides," Stemper wrote. "Maybe CVTV needs to realize that they work for the public and that an event sponsored by 15 neighborhoods needs to be covered. If they cover everything else, why would they exclude the most important ingredient of any government, its citizens?"
Jim Demmon, CVTV's cable television manager, said the city-county government agency does cover the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands and other community events, but only at the request of one of the two governments, he said.
The format for Wednesday's forum provides its own challenges, he said.
"It's very hard for us to cover something like that," he said. "You can't get microphones to everyone."
Demmon said he has forwarded information about Wednesday's event to Fort Vancouver Community Television, a public access provider that produces programming on cable Channel 11.
"We understand there is a great amount of interest," Demmon said, adding that CVTV has covered every city council discussion of the Columbia River Crossing project and is producing a "City Minutes" program on the issue.
A few points are in order here...
First: ...Charles P. Stemper 9,477 votes out of 22,822 votes cast, or 41.53%...November 6, 2007... .
Next, this has been long standing CVTV policy and these people know it. They want a public forum to excoriate people from and they want CVTV to pay for it. Think about who the new participants are in this, and you will see what I mean.
This is CAVE trying to grab the attention...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
BY JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer
Whether it turns out to be an informative discussion or a rambling free-for-all, this week's forum on light rail is already stirring up a ruckus.
Fifteen Vancouver neighborhood associations are sponsoring the forum. Instead of a traditional format, with panelists giving presentations and answering questions, organizers want a free-flowing discussion where virtually anyone can speak.
"Each neighborhood, because they are co-sponsors, are allowed to invite whomever they would like to speak," said Anne McEnerny-Ogle, chairwoman of the Shumway Neighborhood Association.
The forum also won't feature a dais.
"We will be 'in the realm,' " McEnerny-Ogle said. "We will not have panelists sitting up there talking to us."
Any discussion of light rail is a flash point for the Columbia River Crossing project, a $4 billion-plus package that likely will include replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge, building a series of highway improvements and extending Portland's light-rail line into Vancouver.
CVTV, the Clark County-Vancouver cable television network, has irked some by declining to cover what it characterizes as a "neighborhood event."
Charlie Stemper, a two-time candidate for Vancouver City Council, sent out a newsletter Thursday questioning CVTV's decision.
"This is your government television station paid by your tax dollars saying that an unbiased forum is not worth their effort to tell all sides," Stemper wrote. "Maybe CVTV needs to realize that they work for the public and that an event sponsored by 15 neighborhoods needs to be covered. If they cover everything else, why would they exclude the most important ingredient of any government, its citizens?"
Jim Demmon, CVTV's cable television manager, said the city-county government agency does cover the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands and other community events, but only at the request of one of the two governments, he said.
The format for Wednesday's forum provides its own challenges, he said.
"It's very hard for us to cover something like that," he said. "You can't get microphones to everyone."
Demmon said he has forwarded information about Wednesday's event to Fort Vancouver Community Television, a public access provider that produces programming on cable Channel 11.
"We understand there is a great amount of interest," Demmon said, adding that CVTV has covered every city council discussion of the Columbia River Crossing project and is producing a "City Minutes" program on the issue.
A few points are in order here...
First: ...Charles P. Stemper 9,477 votes out of 22,822 votes cast, or 41.53%...November 6, 2007... .
Next, this has been long standing CVTV policy and these people know it. They want a public forum to excoriate people from and they want CVTV to pay for it. Think about who the new participants are in this, and you will see what I mean.
This is CAVE trying to grab the attention...