Richard Drake, former chairman of Telecom Board, comments on recent changes in board function

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Fayetteville AR Telecommunications Board Subcommittee October 17 2011

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Fayetteville Telecommunications Board -Subcommittee for Review of Telecommunications Ordinance -- October 17, 2011
00:13:58
Added on 10/20/11


Somewhere along the line, revisionist history came into play, and the TB came to believe that its role was merely "advisory," rather than a body which sets policy and oversees the channels. It is very sad that a number of TB members over the years have allowed themselves to believe this.

They COULD look at heir own history, , or even talk to past members, and see what the TB has accomplished in the past.

There are two immediate problems with the board.

A) The city of Fayetteville maintains an archaic policy of replacing board members, which can take an abominable amount of time. As a result of which, TB members often drop off, and the city may not fill the empty seats for far too long a period of time. This really needs to be fixed.

B) As with all boards - city or nonprofit - too many members over the years have merely been resume padders, using the experience on the board to add to their resume.

THe TB is a very important board, especially with the changes happening in the world around around us.

It DOES need to get back to basics, and the board needs to be aware of just why it was created in the first place.

If the TB is interested, there ARE written reports in the city archives from the board every year on what the board has accomplished every year. At least, there are SUPPOSED to be. I can always pass along the one that I wrote.

Richard S. Drake


---- Jim Bemis wrote:
>
>
> Fellow producers:
>
> This is the URL to the Oct 17 Telecom Board Subcommittee for ordinance
> review meeting. The Ordinance will be reviewed at today's Board meeting
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gUzyIVYesc
>
>
> Jim