City Board to look into AT&T as possible cable provider

Mayor John Holden and the full city board were on hand last night to discuss the loss of WPSD in Paducah, Ky. and KFVS in Cape Girardeau, Mo. from the CableOne programming lineup. Board members also discussed the city's close call at losing WBBJ in Jackson.

"We got to keep Channel 7, which made a lot of residents very happy," said Cable Committee Chairman Freeman Dudley after sharing the minutes of a cable committee meeting from Monday, Dec. 29.

Dudley and the committee met with CableOne General Manager Elvis Brown last Monday morning after a letter from CableOne announced the loss of the three channels effective Jan. 1.

"Channel 3 was out this afternoon," said alderman Bob Kirk. "That's one reason we need to keep Channel 12 as a backup."

"It seems to be worse since the meeting," said alderman Dennis Moody, who said one of the cable channels went off the air during the last two minutes of a football game this weekend. "What channels (they) are not dropping, you can't see. They said they are going to give us Animal Planet -- isn't that already on 37?"

Moody requested Holden contact AT&T, which recently included Dyersburg in a statewide bid to offer cable services. Moody also asked Holden to confirm that CableOne currently owes the City of Dyersburg a large amount of money.

"That is my understanding," said Holden.

"We are four months into the new (fiscal) year without a contract," said alderman Lewis Norman.

Holden said the city and CableOne disagree on the definition of 'gross revenue' in their contract and are currently working out the problem.

"I'll contact AT&T and find out what their plan is," said Holden.

The board had no new business, old business or bids to discuss in the meeting.

In alderman reports, alderman Bob Kirk asked for a report on the cost of improvements to the stoplights at the intersection of Troy and Oak, and noted that falling gas prices may positively affect the budget.

"The generosity of this community never ceases to amaze me," said alderman Bart Williams in his report. "In these tough economic conditions (I applaud) all those who packed boxes, picked an angel off a tree, made a bid, donated a gift, rang a bell. ... This is a great community to live in."

Dudley requested a roundtable meeting where board members could discuss encouraging residents to shop at home.

"(We consider) Jackson the hub city in West Tennessee," said Dudley. "(But) all the little cities around us like Humboldt are gearing up to be hub cities, too. The more we let these other cities get ahead of us, the farther there is for us to go."

Holden discussed "Shop Dyersburg First" initiatives by the city and the Chamber of Commerce including full-page ads in the State Gazette listing local businesses throughout the Christmas shopping season.

"(We even have 'Shop Dyersburg First') on a couple of our sanitation trucks," said Holden.

Alderman Shannon Walker asked City Purchasing Agent Greg Williams if the city has recently purchased natural gas for its supply.

"We have 80 percent bought through March at $7 to $8," said Williams. "And 50 percent through the summer ranging from $6 to $7."

Williams said the city also has a percentage of natural gas purchased through November averaging approximately $5.60, and that he estimates after closing out December and January records that the city has saved a substantial amount of money through the Munigas discount.

"I expect (the savings) to be just shy of $700,000," said Williams. "We've been able to pass that savings on to our customers."

Williams expects to have the final figures of the Munigas savings in mid-February.

Walker also asked City Treasurer Steve Anderson if the city was on track with the budget. Anderson confirmed that it is.

"I've heard favorable comments on the light at Troy and Oak," said Norman in his report.

"I tried to hold this in, but I'll have to let it go," said alderman Charles McCright, who said he recently took part in an energy discussion at the state school board meeting. "Future City has its lights on all the time. I wish we could give some thought to that because of the economy."

Holden said that the city will take part in a free energy audit of its municipal buildings on Tuesday, complimented Anderson and his staff on completing the city's audit by Dec. 30, and welcomed Freeman Dudley back after his illness.

"Freeman, I'm glad you're back," said Holden. "It's good to see you."