<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:8pt"><div><span>Mayor Archer,</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10.6667px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br><span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10.6667px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span>Thank you for succinctly explaining the situation about the </span>Emergency Ordinance, and the background of the issue. I support both you and the council regarding this issue and thank you for your service to the community.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10.6667px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida
Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10.6667px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10.6667px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">J.R. Smith<br></div><div style="display: block;" class="yahoo_quoted"> <br> <br> <div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"> <div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <div dir="ltr"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> On Monday, March 17, 2014 12:18 PM, Vernon Archer <varcher@gmail.com> wrote:<br> </font> </div> <div
class="y_msg_container"><div id="yiv2296610410"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv2296610410gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div>James and anyone interested in rehashing this issue for the 5th or 6th time:</div><div> </div><div>1. The Town Council acts as its own cable review body which is its right. Most municipalities follow this model, and the three administrations preceding my own lead by Mayors Ferguson, Herman and <span>Tiberio</span> also followed this model. In my 9 years of service the only documented complaint has come from you James. It therefore seems that asking volunteers to staff a separate review board is not warranted. </div>
<div> </div><div>Your assertion that residents don't have representation and a review process is patently false. </div><div> </div><div>2. As you know the town has investigated your assertion that <span>Comcast</span> is over billing customers on franchise fee. Based on a lengthy and thorough investigation of facts we are satisfied that <span>Comcast</span> is charging 5% through the process defined by the Federal Communications Commission. </div>
<div> </div><div>Your assertion that customers of <span>Comcast</span> and Verizon pay different rates is false. Your assertion that <span>Comcast</span> customers pay more than 5% is also false.</div><div> </div><div>3. The town as franchise granter does not control rates. Just like individual subscribers we can either say yes to the service and the price presented or no. By saying yes to the cable provider, in this case <span>Comcast</span>, then every resident in Riverdale Park gets to make up their own mind whether to subscribe to a cable service or not. </div>
<div> </div><div>Your assertion that the town can control or even significantly influence cable rates is false.</div><div> </div><div>Finally, your last statement asking the council to in effect hold a discussion on an email list is highly inappropriate. The Maryland Open Meetings Act clearly defines where and how public business is to be discussed and acted upon. Such business is to be handled in an open meeting not on a chat list.</div>
<div> </div><div>In that vein the meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been cancelled do to the weather and will be rescheduled. Official announcement will be forthcoming as to the date and time after I hear back about the availability of the council members, but I expect the meeting will be held next Monday the 24th at 7:30 PM. The actual discussion and vote on "Emergency Ordinance 2014-OR-02 to amend the franchise agreement with <span>Comcast</span> of Maryland" will likely take place on March 31 in Special Legislative Meeting. </div>
<div> </div><div>Sincerely,</div><span class="yiv2296610410HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><div> </div><div>Vernon Archer</div><div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><u></u> </div>
</font></span></div><div class="yiv2296610410HOEnZb"><div class="yiv2296610410h5"><div class="yiv2296610410gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="yiv2296610410gmail_quote">On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 10:30 AM, James D. Holmes <span dir="ltr"><<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net">jdholmes@comcast.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;" class="yiv2296610410gmail_quote">
<div>
Jeffrey<br>
<br>
I am participating. I have asked several questions that our elected
officials refuse to answer. I have requested that the Mayor create
a Riverdale Park Cable TV Franchise Committee to represent the
residents. He refuses! The Town collected approximately $50.000 in
franchise fees last year, yet the residents have no
representation/protection from the undue rate increases from the
cable TV companies.<br>
<br>
Do you think it is fair that residents of Riverdale Park pay a
different amount for the Cable TV Franchise Fee depending on who
they subscribe to (Comcast or Verizon)?<br>
<br>
This issue needs to be discussed. <br>
<br>
Let's see if anyone from the Council will join in on this
discussion.<br>
<br>
<br>
J. Holmes<br>
<div><br>
<br>
-------- Original Message --------
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Subject:
</th>
<td>Re: [RP TownTalk] Fwd: Re: [RP Town Announce] Special
Legislative Meeting Agenda: March 17, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Date: </th>
<td>Sun, 16 Mar 2014 19:07:00 -0400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">From: </th>
<td>Jeffrey Yorke <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:yorkedial@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:yorkedial@gmail.com"><yorkedial@gmail.com></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">To: </th>
<td>James D. Holmes <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net"><jdholmes@comcast.net></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<div>For the life of me, I don't understand where you got that. He
is BEGGING you to participate.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>So do it!</div>
<div><br>
Jeffrey Yorke
<div>Yorke Partners</div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:Yorkedial@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:Yorkedial@gmail.com">Yorkedial@gmail.com</a></div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:Jeffrey@YorkeRents.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:Jeffrey@YorkeRents.com">Jeffrey@YorkeRents.com</a></div>
<div><a href="" rel="nofollow">(301) 502-1243</a></div>
</div>
<div><br>
On Mar 16, 2014, at 7:01 PM, "James D. Holmes" <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net">jdholmes@comcast.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
Mayor Archer<br>
<br>
Are you stating that my listed concerns will not be addressed
by the Council unless I appear at the meeting tomorrow night?<br>
<br>
<br>
J. Holmes<br>
<br>
<br>
<div><br>
<br>
-------- Original Message --------
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Subject:
</th>
<td>Re: [RP Town Announce] Special Legislative Meeting
Agenda: March 17, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Date:
</th>
<td>Sun, 16 Mar 2014 18:51:05 -0400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">From:
</th>
<td>Vernon Archer <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:varcher@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:varcher@gmail.com"><varcher@gmail.com></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">To:
</th>
<td>James D. Holmes <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net"><jdholmes@comcast.net></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">CC:
</th>
<td><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>
<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org"><towntalk@riverdale-park.org></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
Greetings James,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The emergency ordinance is being introduced to extend
the existing franchise agreement until the
ongoing negotiations are completed. The town is acting in
good faith to insure that all cable customers are able to
continue their existing service. It</div>
<div>is expected that the results of the ongoing
negotiations will produce a new agreement that will
maintain or improve the existing service.<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>We will be discussing this matter tomorrow night at the
council meeting and I as always welcome you and all
residents to bring your questions and comments to the
council.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Best wishes,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Vern<br>
<div><br>
On Sunday, March 16, 2014, James D. Holmes <<a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net">jdholmes@comcast.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;" class="yiv2296610410gmail_quote">
<div> Mayor Archer<br>
<br>
I am reading the agenda for Special Legislative
Meeting for Monday March 17, 2014 and noticed that
the following Legislative Action Item.<br>
<br>
3. Introduction of <b>Emergency Ordinance
2014-OR-02</b> to amend the franchise agreement
with Comcast of Maryland.<br>
<br>
<br>
Why is the Town introducing an <b>Emergency
Ordinance</b> to amend the franchise agreement
with Comcast of Maryland? The Town had posted a
notice in March 2012 under Resolution 2012-R-02 to
participate in joint negotiations with other Prince
George's County and municipalities for the renewal
of the Town's cable franchise with Comcast.<br>
<br>
If you had appointed a Riverdale Park Cable TV
Franchise Committee to oversee the renewal of this
contract, there would be no need to introduce an <b>Emergency
Ordinance</b> to prevent the current contract from
expiring on April 5, 2014.<br>
<br>
Additionally, is the Town planning to correct a
problem with the unequal franchise fees being
collected between Comcast and Verizon?<br>
<br>
Comcast has collected up to <b>6.5%</b> of the
Cable TV Bill vs. Verizon collecting <b>5% </b>.<br>
<br>
The Riverdale Park Franchise Fee should be set at a
maximum 5% flat fee for the Cable TV portion of the
monthly bill. No other fees should be added.<br>
<br>
Over the past 10 years, Comcast has increased the
Cable TV charges over <b>88%</b>. What has the
Town done to protect the residents from these
unjustified increases?<br>
<br>
<br>
J. Holmes<br>
<br>
<br>
<div><br>
<br>
-------- Original Message --------
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Subject: </th>
<td>[RP TownTalk] Special Legislative
Meeting Agenda: March 17, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">Date: </th>
<td>Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:10:25 -0400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">From: </th>
<td>Jessica Barnes <a href="" rel="nofollow"><jbarnes@riverdaleparkmd.gov></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="RIGHT" valign="BASELINE" nowrap="">To: </th>
<td><a href="" rel="nofollow"><townannounce@riverdale-park.org></a>,
<a href="" rel="nofollow"><towntalk@riverdale-park.org></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Town of Riverdale Park</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Special Legislative
Meeting </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>March 17, 2014</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>8:00 p.m.</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b> </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>AGENDA</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b> </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Call to Order</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Approval of Agenda</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Public Comments on
Non-Agenda Items</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b> </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Legislative Action
Items:</b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<ol style="margin-top:0in;" start="1" type="1">
<li class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal">Motion to reject bid
response to the Town of Riverdale Park RFP
for the Town Hall Addition project</li>
</ol>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<ol style="margin-top:0in;" start="2" type="1">
<li class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal">Motion to waive bid
requirements and award a contract to
McInturff Architects in the amount of
$127,000 for schematic design of Town Hall</li>
</ol>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<ol style="margin-top:0in;" start="3" type="1">
<li class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal">Introduction of
Emergency Ordinance 2014-OR-02 to amend the
franchise agreement with Comcast of Maryland</li>
</ol>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>New Business </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Unfinished Business </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><b>Adjournment </b></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span>Jessica</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Jessica
E. Barnes</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Town
Clerk</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Riverdale
Park</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;">5008
Queensbury Road</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Riverdale
Park, MD 20737</span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/">www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a></span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="" rel="nofollow">301-927-6381</a></span></div>
<div class="yiv2296610410MsoNormal"> </div>
</div>
<br>
</div>
<br>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br><span><font color="#888888">
<br>
-- <br>
Vernon Archer, Mayor<br>
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland<br>
<br>
</font></span></div><span><font color="#888888">
<br>
</font></span></div><span><font color="#888888">
</font></span></blockquote><span><font color="#888888">
<blockquote type="cite">
<div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br>
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</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
</font></span></div>
<br>
</div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
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To post to the list, send mail to <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk@riverdale-park.org</a><br>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Vernon Archer, Mayor<br>Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
</div>
</div></div></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Vernon Archer, Mayor<br>Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
</div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>TownTalk mailing list<br>To post to the list, send mail to <a ymailto="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org" href="mailto:TownTalk@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk@riverdale-park.org</a><br><a ymailto="mailto:TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org" href="mailto:TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org">TownTalk-request@riverdale-park.org</a> is for automated subscription processing only<br><a href="http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk" target="_blank">http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk</a><br><br>For more information about Riverdale Park, visit <a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/" target="_blank">http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a><br><br><br></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>