SCHENECTADY City Council fires video team, plans upgrades of broadcasts BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
The longtime videographers of Schenectady’s City Council meetings were fired Monday night. They will be replaced by a videographer from Open Stage Media, which now runs public access television in Schenectady. It’s not clear whether the July meeting will be broadcast live, and even if it is, a recurring signal strength problem at City Hall might break up the broadcast. But by September, city offi cials expect to correct the problem and hook up Open Stage Media’s cameras so they can broadcast live from City Hall. It’s the end of an era run by John Harnden, who had broadcast City Council meetings for 22 years. His staff orchestrated a live broadcast with three cameras, tracking each speaker. But they had not been paid all year, and then last Wednesday they were told their services were no longer wanted. Among the issues: they refused to switch from VHS to DVD copies, which Open Stage Media prefers for quality reasons. Council President Gary McCarthy said he offered to write a resolution praising Harnden’s years of work, but Harnden refused. “He did not want a resolution,” McCarthy said. “So I wish him well.” But Harnden said he felt humiliated by McCarthy’s off-handed announcement of the change in videography Monday. “Wouldn’t it be nice if they said a kind word?” Harnden said. “I feel disgraced.” He believes the firing was a matter of politics. Harnden is a member of SACC Inc., which is now fi ghting McCarthy, who has in turn threatened to sue the company. SACC Inc. used to run public access television. Last year McCarthy, as the SACC leader, shepherded a switch to Open Stage Media, a subsidiary of Proctors that would have access to far better equipment. The SACC board approved the transfer of power. But when Mc-Carthy stepped down after the changeover, SACC members revolted. They are now withholding money that had been promised to fund the new venture, including $19,000 to upgrade the City Council equipment. .................>>>>..........................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01101&AppName=1
This is all about control. How about the garbage that's been going on for 36 years under these City Democrats? Thankfully Pat Z is filming these bozos outside of pathetic Proctor's control. They show absolute contempt for democracy, for the taxpayers, for the neighborhoods.
The people in the city better smarten up and do something soon! Where are the new candidates who can primary or run against these dictators?? Do the reps just sit back and wait for candidates to knock at their door or do they earnestly go out and look for them? I would suggest the later!
And who knows, rotterdam's town board meetings may just be next to be not filmed or aired on this new osm aka proctors aka Philip Morris aka taxpayers!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
And who knows, rotterdam's town board meetings may just be next to be not filmed or aired on this new osm aka proctors aka Philip Morris aka taxpayers!!!
BT, not sure where you are coming from or going on this, but Rotterdam pays a videographer to film their meetings. The DVD is delivered to OSM and it is broadcast on Thursdays and Saturdays on Channel 16, same as in the past when SACC handled it! Only difference now is the option for residents to view the videos on line at their convenience...a benefit that SACC NEVER offered! Try it out... http://www.openstagemedia.com/?q=watch
If Rotterdam chooses to NOT film their meetings in the future, then that issue needs to be addressed at the TB level.
How outrageous to say the Schenectady City Council “fired” John Harnden from the job of filming City Council meetings [Nov. 15 editorial]. For years John and his wife Lois spent many hours, and dollars, buying and installing film equipment so that the Schenectady Access Cable Council (SACC) could televise meetings. John recruited Explorer Scouts to operate the equipment. John never took a nickel. Matter of fact, I believe he donated a significant amount of money years ago to help public access [SACC-TV] get started. He also donated $50,000 to the Schenectady Museum years ago for some improvements to their facility that were never carried out. Instead of “firing” him, the City Council should come up with some sort of good citizen award.
According to the Gazetto there is no difference between The Explorer Troop and OSM/Mercury Morris coverage? lol. The rubber stamps were too busy looking the another way on illegal lines added to the City budget to protect the Explorer Troop.
BTW, the City Patroon awards now only go to DEM stooges. REPS/CONS/INDS need not apply.
Logged
This is all about control. How about the garbage that's been going on for 36 years under these City Democrats? Thankfully Pat Z is filming these bozos outside of pathetic Proctor's control. They show absolute contempt for democracy, for the taxpayers, for the neighborhoods.
