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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Jonathan<br>
<br>
In your last e-mail message you complained that I don't come to
Town meetings and don't volunteer. You have a short memory. I
sent you the attached e-mail message over a year ago giving
support to the Town by volunteering to be the Chairman of the
Riverdale Park Cable TV Franchise Committee. I never heard
anything from the Town.<br>
<br>
Oh, maybe it's because there is not a Riverdale Park Cable TV
Franchise Committee. Why is there not a Riverdale Park Cable TV
Franchise Committee. The Town has collected over a half million
dollars in franchise fees from the residents over the past 20
years. <br>
<br>
The Riverdale Park Code gives the Town authority to regulate rates
charged to subscribers. Is there any review by the Town before
Comcast or Verizon increases their cable TV rates?<br>
<br>
<b>Chapter 61-11. Acts beneficial to subscribers.</b><b><br>
</b><b>The town shall be empowered to include as part of any
franchise such terms and conditions as it deems beneficial to
the subscribers in the franchise area, including the regulation
of rates charged to such subscribers.</b><br>
<br>
By-the-way, what is the status of the renewal contract for Cable
TV Franchise agreement with Comcast. Is the Town going to make
this agreement public? Will there be an increase of franchise
fees charged to the residents?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
J. Holmes<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-------- Original Message --------
<table class="moz-email-headers-table" cellpadding="0"
cellspacing="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">Subject:
</th>
<td>Re: Riverdale Park Cable TV Franchise Fee</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">Date: </th>
<td>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:43:35 -0500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">From: </th>
<td>James D. Holmes <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net"><jdholmes@comcast.net></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">To: </th>
<td><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov">jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Jonathan<br>
<br>
I am shocked, you are inquiring reference my request for
investigation about being overcharged on the Franchise Fee. I
have heard nothing from the Town on both of my requests to Mayor
Archer to conduct an investigation. I ever sent an e-mail to
Comcast CEO Mr. Brian L. Roberts. I will gladly attach a copy
of my Comcast bill. As you can see I am being charged $4.13 for
the franchise fee. My Cable TV portion of the bill is $68.84.
That equals to 6%. In the past, the fee was at 6.5%.<br>
<br>
I am still asking questions of the Town with no answers. My
recent request was made on January 1, 2013 to view documents on
the quarterly payments received by the Town from Comcast (see
FOI attachment)<br>
<br>
<big><b>After all the recent discussion on the RP Town Talk
Blog, I would like to volunteer and get involved with the
Town. Can you recommend that I be appointed Chairman of the
Riverdale Park Cable TV Franchise Committee. I would surely
get to the bottom of why Comcast is overcharging the
residents.</b></big><br>
<br>
Thanks for your concern.<br>
<br>
<br>
Jim Holmes<br>
<br>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 2/2/2014 3:53 PM, Jonathan Ebbeler wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:190D4166-66A8-4FCB-AD96-C7569022E2E2@efusionconsulting.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">I've answered your questions ad naseum James. Your argument is a straw man. You may wish to define a very limited definition for how people may govern but the law that codifies this disagrees with you.
Shame on you for trying to use the Calvert House to further an argument. The owners made a series of ill timed investments and the those decisions doomed them. The closing had to do 100% with the free market principles your claiming are being impaired.
<big><b>Instead of only sitting behind a computer and being contrary why don't you do something to change the government. You don't come to meetings to record your opinion in the official public record. You don't run for office to ever put your policy agenda into action. You don't volunteer with the town for our numerous committees where we have enormous need. Your contribution to town is to tell everyone how anyone who has chosen to serve others are wrong. </b></big>
I can't recall a single positive comment you have made about any citizen legislator or any policy on here and have yet to see you step up to the plate to try to actually change anything. I challenge you to take your criticism and do more than post on here. I'll happily hand you my seat if you would step up to the plate. I'm sure your CM would do the same.
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</pre>
</blockquote>
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