11
Oct
2019

October 2, 2019 Minutes

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CTAC Meeting Minutes October 2, 2019 

Attendees: 
Peaches Quinn – (New Haven) –  Acting Chair
George Alexander – (Hamden) – Treasurer
Laurel Coleman – (Hamden) – Advisor
Yvonne Manning-Jones  – (New Haven ) – Advisor.     (teleconference)
John Jessen — (New Haven Public Library System)
Johnes Ruta – (New Haven) – Acting Secretary
Anthony Cardo – (Hamden) Advisor   – new member

Sharon Codeanne – Comcast Representative

Meeting convened at 6:10 pm.

  1. Introduction of new CTAC member: Anthony Cardo also representing Hamden.
    Mr. Carrdo will be added to the CTACForward group list by George Alexander.

    2..  Review of September 4, 2019 Minutes
    Approval of Minutes with request from Peaches Quinn that previously incorporated CTV
    and COMCAST reports be extracted into separate documents. This set of three reports has
    already been posted via email on September 29th.
    John Jessen – Motion to accept the September Minutes. Laurel Coleman Seconds this Motion.
    CTAC members vote – unanimous.

    3. COMCAST Report.

    Please see attached COMCAST Report.
    Topics listed on COMCAST Report:
    a. Internet Essentials.
    b. Comcast to sponsor ARTE’s Hispanic Heritage Month.
    c. Boys & Girls Club monetary grants.
    d. STEM group = Science, Technologies, Engineering, & Mathematics.

    Peaches Quinn asks Sharon Codeanne: “What are opportunities for scholarships and award
    programs for older adults and persons with disabilities ?”   Sharon Codeanne describes
    Comcast grants that are available.

    Johnes Ruta asks Sharon about the Comcast notification that the Turner Classic Movies, channel 72, will be moved to a new “Sports & Entertainment” package tier, effective October 10th, to cost
    an additional $9.99 per month. Johnes states that notification of this change in service was given
    only in the August Billing Statement, and not in the September Statement; Johnes asks “Why was
    this omitted from the September statement?” Sharon defends Comcast saying that “this second notice was not legally required,” and that TCM, while a commercial-free channel, requires a fee from cable companies.   Johnes questions Comcast’s claims of hardship of cable supplier costs,   in light of Comcast 2018 profit of   $11 Billion, and their 2016 bid to purchase Time Warner Cable for $85 Billion.

    [Source: Wikipedia: COMCAST 2018 Revenue $94 Billion. 2018 Operating Income $19 Billion;
    2018 Net Income $11 Billion.     COMCAST TOTAL 2018 ASSETS = $251 BILLION. ]

    Sharon further states that the viewership of Turner Classic Movies channel is around 2% of public viewing, and that “most viewing takes place in less than 30 seconds.” Johnes contests this statement, asking for authenticated documentation.  Sharon: Please provide as promised…..
    Johnes states that his monthly bill is already at $201.00 per month, and that many seniors who like this channel have low fixed incomes, and exist on Social Security Benefits.   Sharon expresses
    indifference saying that she is NOT a Comcast subscriber, though an administrating employee.

    John Jesson states that Turner Classic Movies is available online at WatchTCM.com “for free.”
    Johnes asks Sharon whether a Comcast subscription to only internet service will allow internet viewing of TCM. Sharon states that she will research and reply to this question. (Johnes determines
    later at home that evening that Subscription to the new Sports Package is required to to view
    WatchTCM.com on the internet….)

    George Alexander asks if there is a Comcast provision to select and pay for only viewer preferred
    channels.   Sharon talks about an a la carte   option on Comcast called “My Choice” a so-called
    “Chromecast Google Product” which offers reduced selected channels, such as Bravo, A&E,
    The History Channel on an Entertainment package, and news, information, and movies
    and other genres on a News & Information package.

    Johnes makes a Motion for CTAC to call a Public Community Forum on Comcast policies,
    proposes venue to be Edgewood School in Westville.
    This Motion is not supported by other members, but Peaches Quinn proposes to defer and renew discussion on this Comcast service change to the next meeting, in order to determine public reaction
    after the TCM service change date of October 10th.   Johnes seconds this Motion. Vote unanimous.

  2. New Business

    Reminder:     CTAC Officer elections will be held at the December meeting.

    Discussion on selection for December CTAC Annual Dinner. The three-town alternating venue this year
    will be New Haven.   Decision: Arianna’s Restaurant on Grand Avenue is decided upon; date will be
    Wednesday December 4, 6:00 pm. Tad Weinstein, Sharon Codeanne, Joe Schofiled, and Jennifer
    will be invited. Johnes is selected to call in Arianna’s for Reservations for 10.

Next meeting Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 6:00PM.

Meeting adjourned: 7:20 PM.

October 4th , 2019 Minutes respectfully submitted by Johnes Ruta (New Haven)
Acting Secretary.   October 21st , 2019.