Council likely to revoke franchise
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 17, 2002
The Suffolk City Council is expected to move ahead with the revocation of Charter Cable Co.’s franchise with the city.
The council, which meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday, is being asked to adopt an ordinance that says Charter violated both the city cable television rule and the franchise settlement agreement it struck with Suffolk two years ago. The ordinance also gives the city manager the authority to initiate the search for a new cable provider.
The company was supposed to have completed a $12-million, digital rebuild of the city’s cable system by June 30, with periodic deadlines being met during the two-year project. Although Charter officials have said the project was finished by the final deadline, Assistant City Manager Cindy Rohlf said the company failed to meet time limits throughout the process.
The council held a public hearing and began the revocation process at its June 19 meeting. Action taken at that meeting gave Charter 60 days to address any issues in dispute.