LAKEPORT >> The annual review of the public broadcast facility PEG TV uncovered new vistas to propel the city of Lakeport forward with TV broadcasts by having a fresh set of eyes and extra motivation that comes from those who are not encumbered with the past noted the Board of Supervisors as they presented their annual review of the public broadcasting venue.
“One of the big things we’re hoping to do; we’re very interested in creating our own news show,” said District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier. “We want to create an ‘old school’ … here’s what was done in Lakeport City Council, what was done in Clearlake Council and the Lake County Board of Supervisors. And if the tribal councils want to submit stuff for us to discuss, we’d be happy to do that. We want to showcase what is happening in our communities- maybe have one or two interviews and looking to do a monthly show, to get started and iron out the kinks.”
“And we have met with KPFZ (community radio) and see that as a potential benefit especially when KPFZ is broadcasting during an emergency, when we can put content directly on PEG TV or on our website,” he added “It’s an exciting potential and exciting projects were working on that’s all for presentation.” And there could be a possibility to go live on You Tube during a wildfire and be a live Public Service Announcement for Red Cross,” said Thomas DeWalt PEG station manager. “The station can put up graphics and position of the fire and the direction as it moves in real time and announce subsequent live updates.”
Lake County PEG TV is the area’s Public Education and Government (PEG) channel under the general supervision of Mediacom. Lake County PEG TV is under the control of the PEG Board, which consists of five directors (one each from the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, and three members of the general public appointed by majority vote of the other directors).
BOS Chair E.J. Crandell noted he has three Municipal Advisory Councils in his District 3 he attends, For the Eastern Region Town Hall in Clearlake Oaks, meetings get underway at 4 p.m. and a lot of people are at work, Crandell pointed out. “But DeWalt goes there and really engages the people in attendance, his broadcasts have improved so much,” Crandell said.
“What I’ve done, if there’s a key discussion, I’ll record just that portion, then post it, So, it’s a big help to get the MAC agenda out there and people can get to know what’s going on for the next meeting. PEG plays a big role, and I appreciate what our board is doing (to facilitate broadcasts).” Vice Chair Brad Rasmussen said he appreciates the work of PEG and DeWalt and working with the county to get the Scotts Valley MAC meetings finally online just two months ago and were the last MAC that had not been broadcasting, but the current broadcast will be a big help to the community. “I did hire PEG TV when I was Police Chief and we had that Homeless Town Hall (at Soper Reece Theater) and over a 100 people attended,” he said. “It was good work and I’m glad we have this going.”
Sabatier noted for this year the coast of broadcasts is $8,400. The equipment leased was $$2,250. Total revenues had a revised update of $52,000. There was $2,000 from the city of Lakeport, while city of Clearlake realized $17,000, meanwhile $32,000 for the County of Lake. Expenses were $43,000. And the station manager, received a stipend of $28,000, while the assistant station manager got $4,800 stipend. For insurance and facilities, it cost $10,000. But they also receive in-kind-contribution Sabatier pointed out. PEG has a station in Clearlake City Hall and a studio in Clearlake’s Senior Center. and have their insurance, finances, and auditing done for gratis.
Public commentor Margeaux Kambara noted the service PEG TV brings to the public sphere is great. “For the people who are too busy and cannot stop everything and attend in person and for people who don’t have a choice and are shut-ins, it’s wonderful to see this service.” she said. “And I’m encouraged by the energy and imagination to expand this service for PEG TV, especially the news program.”
Yet Kambara did have some questions for the board “Will editorial content be truly independent or will the funders say the BOS have, editorial control, any influence on that account?” And on the commercials for the nonprofits, are they to be aired as Public Service announcements so, they are not charged for airtime, but be charged for production of the PSA?” Sabatier replied, “They’ll be charged for the production but not for the airtime because nobody should be charged for the airtime because it’s a public station. I’d steer clear of asking for any funding for a news show. But at the same time, we do need funding, “It’s just like anyone else. We go to our local community stores and see who wants to make that happen.”
He went on that the funding is for equipment and also for the salaries of those who will be on the news show, because their interest will wane if we are asking everyone to be a volunteer. The funding will come from typical sources not from government. Yet Kambara also asked who would have editorial control of programming? “Whoever your funder is, not everybody is going to agree. So, if a funder is, ‘I don’t like that, pull it or I’ll pull my funding.'”
Yet Sabatier submitted there is probably no completely unbiased news show. “But we will do our best to be as neutral and factual as possible,” he said. “My vision is to put links to source documents to where we are getting this information from so, it helps people get further information from what we provide,” he said. “We’ll do our best. And we’ll love to get your comment. But we will get better because there will be some kinks to iron out.”
