Recent road collapse causes speculation on origin and prevention but also leads me to call out and question local broadcast stations

Monday evening the road collapsed on US Highway 27 northbound, south of State Boulevard, just before the Kroger Fueling Station. This incident caused major headaches as the road in question is a primary route through town and the lights are timed at 28-32 miles per hour to make traffic flow smoothly, typically a twenty minute trip one way. According to an interview given to Stephen Parker @ Around Fort Wayne by Rachel Blakeman, a former blogger, and current Public Information Officer for the City, they checked all possible causes and their working position now is that a water main break ten years ago caused the soil to move or become settled and therefore caused the road pavement to buckle under and take the City on a wonderfully (35 miles per hour, across a 12 inch dip in the road, on a curve, at night) fun ride. The City hopes to have the road repaired, at a cost of 26 thousand dollars (INC 23 September 2009), by Friday, weather permitting.

The only question left to ask now is: Does the City need to go back and check the sites of all other previous water main breaks to prevent this from happening yet again?

My Problem With Local Broadcast Media

This incident was responded to promptly so I wont critique the City on interdepartmental communication this time but I will critique the local broadcast media establishments for not broadcasting the traffic alert at the bottom and top of the hours as the incident unfolded and progressed. Most of the radio stations that I tuned into were on national syndication at the time with no one answering phones or able to announce the obstruction to traffic on the air. Maybe we need to take stock in what we want from local radio? I am not saying that national shows and prerecorded programs are a bad thing, but when there is no one present to put out the traffic advisory for such a major road closing, or receive up to date information from average citizens at the event's occurrence, we begin to see another issue at play. What does that say about the intention of these people we entrust with our airwaves?

That is right, our airwaves!
Publicly owned airwaves!

This isn't an issue of local only it is an issue of local at all. Most radio stations rely on the prepackaged or syndicated programs to fill time and just milk the advertising dollars from such programs. I miss the days of long term, local hired, Disc Jockeys (excuse me, Personalities) whom actually get involved in the Community they serve and do more than slut out the top 40 list every couple of hours, we need more indie and local music.

We need independent stations that aren't owned by conglomerates in the same market. We need to celebrate the arts and music but also receive our news and commentary from many different sources rather than allowing one or two stations to provide every comment or thought from a biased, small minded, position of assumed public trust. We need to start having public conversations again on air and actually invite the best people to the airwaves not just the ones who have the loudest mouths or the most clout in the industry or social landscape.

Allen County needs its own radio station that celebrates the people, arts and music, cultures, reports the news, and offers a balance of commentary on everything. My only question, Whom is willing to start providing and maintaining a truly free press for everyone to participate in? Are You?


F6 EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS POST IS CROSS POSTED ON THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF ALLEN COUNTY BLOG.

In Like A Lion Or Out Like A Lamb? Analysis Of Government Mandates: The Conversion To Digital Television == Came And Went! == And Will Come Again?

With Holy Week just around the corner I thought we would do a story not previously covered on F6 as I attempt to get back into the swing of things. I want to also take a moment and thank my loyal readers and new readers for bearing with me as I recovered from another health scare.

When the 17th of February rolled around people were still scurrying around looking for better deals on a digital converter box. All the money for the 2 forty dollar coupons from the Federal Government dried up and Politicians were whining about the fact that 6.5 million Americans were not ready for the elimination of the traditional analog signal.

As the nation was preparing to be assimilated into the digital age, Congress passed legislation giving the analog service a four month reprieve in its termination. In doing so our Legislative Branch put the entire industry into shambles, as some stations and networks decided to cease analog operations due to budget constraints and others still are not ready to transfer over to only digital signals. The Public Broadcasting Service was afraid it would loose up to 22 million dollars over the course of the delay because people would not be annoyed by their pledge drives every 90 minutes for two weeks in a row every two months, and now incorporated into the show segments as a commercial. But at the same pointe they were one of the first to flip over to the digital transmitter locally.

Robert Enders stated, "The same companies that sold us TV’s that would quit working two years after we bought them are now selling us the boxes that are supposed to make them work again."

Here is a brief history:

1986: Broadcasters pitch HDTV prevents 1/3 airwaves allocation to public safety.
1990: HDTV is developed in the 1990’s. Everybody is excited.
1995: Digitized video allowed for 6x the amount of stuff into the same channel.
1996: Telecom Act was amended changing the fixed 2006 to 85% compliance.
Government gives away billions of dollars worth of spectrum to the networks
1998: Congress decides that analog signals should continue for 10 years.
Analog airwaves were sold @ auction to Verizon and AT&T for @ $19.2 billion.
2007: Even after the March deadline We kept buying Analog Tuned Televisions

The FCC even tried to protect consumers and provide information two years ago.

As of the 1st of March, 2007, all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective 25th of May, 2007, the FCC required sellers of television receiving equipment that does not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television after the transition date. Retailers must inform consumers by prominently displaying the following text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog tuner:

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.

The addendum to Robert's statement above would be, That is how business is suppose to work, Society fosters a need and then said companies fulfill it; however due to manufacturing obsolescence and noted depreciation of time, the resolution while annoying, bring some to label this whole scenario, which is not the case, as consumer fraud.

For instance, As someone who has a long history of driving several Buick Le Sabre Sedans, I know that the steering column is going to fall apart by the time it reaches 165-180 thousand miles driven. I know that at 225,000 miles the car will roll over and die a horrible death shortly. The company knows this will happen too before the car leaves the plant. Is this fraud? No, it is manufacturer obsolescence.

The correction cost 150 dollars and involves taking the steering column apart applying a bonding agent to the three bolts and nuts, reattaching the assembly, and putting the car back in alignment. Fortunately my mechanic, Ward Stevens' Automotive @ 420 Glenn Avenue @ North Clinton Street Phone: 260-483-0642 (across from Rainbow Palace), didn't charge me for the alignment just the parts, initial work, and labor cost. So just like a $40 converter box to adjust for a three year old television, that originally cost half of the normal purchase price because they were just trying to get rid of them, one still invests in the car as well and deals with the small stuff, plus now you can find some awesome large screen steal prices at local garage/yard sales.

Even though I purchased the older car for $4,000 and I know what will happen to it throughout its remaining time of ownership, I just wish they would give us a manual the first time around for things to expect rather than finding out later it would a. help us budget out resources better and b. not have an angry consumer base when the incidents occur. It would also help the stupid people in this world if they would make you sign a disclaimer form saying that you read the caveat before your purchase was completed for more recent investments; but for those of us who have televisions that are 10-25 years old, this still wouldn't have helped, but it would be a starting pointe.

So where does all this Conversion to Digital Channels take us locally?

Well out of the 7 original broadcast channels in this area: three have switched completely over to digital; one is simulcasting on both digital and analog; and three, remain on an analog signal, for a total of 15 channels so far:
WANE 15 CBS = Simulcasting with 1 extra digital channel for Weather Radar
WPTA 21 ABC/INC = Conversion with 2 additional DCs CW Network, and Viper HD Radar
WISE 33 NBC /INC = Conversion with 2 additional DCs My Network Tv, and INC NOW
WFWA 39 PBS = Conversion with 3 additional DCs PBS Kids, Create, and News & Commentary
WINM 43 TCT = Analog will not convert until the 12th of June
W??? 45 3ABN = Analog or not able to receive signal
WFFT 55 FOX = Analog currently in phase two of three of construction of digital transmitter

Between the 16th of April through the 12th of June this will change, as the remaining 2/3 of local Broadcast Stations across the Nation are allowed to begin the Second Conversion to Digital Television, at any pointe.

There have already been some positive announcements from WFFT FOX 55 that they are actually going to be hosting a news broadcast in the late evening finally, as it was previously restricted back in the late 70's early 80's when they first came on the scene, in order to appease the other three mainstream affiliates. There is another rumor floating around that they will either do a noon broadcast, either in tandem to or in place of the 10P broadcast, but that has not been confirmed. They have hired 25 years plus, veteran news anchor Jim Blue, who most recently covered the news in Toledo, Ohio, to head the Newsroom and take WFFT into the next era of journalism and community coverage, beginning this month sometime. Now if they will just add a few more features to their line up of channels all will be well. [Hat Tip: Mitch Harper @ FWOB]

And that then leads us to the rub the other direction. The Networks of Indiana News Center, which operates the ABC and NBC affiliates, has gotten to plump for their own feathers and good taste. They need to streamline their channels back a bit in my opinion. They have some of the most handsome (sexy and well educated) reporters but the news anchors seem to trip over each other and put me to sleep or piss me off depending on which bias filter the particular anchor is using in their commentary or quips on the air.

The few times I have tried to watch their INC Now channel or My Network TV channel especially at night it has just been a rehash of all the previous news broadcast on an two hour loop for six hours or nothing but infomercials. Put on TV Land, or replay USA, or even MSNBC Network shows from earlier that evening. Create a Reporter Notebook or Commentary Panel or Segment Show by local reporters (not just your stations but everyone), but for goodness sake do something fresh and new. There is a lot of local talent that could be fostered and INC has the potential to do wonders for political and social discourse and community development on the additional channels. It is time for Fort Wayne to return back to its roots as a Production House City of Record and yet y'all are just squandering it on old news and which weather radar is better.

I want to know what y'all think. There are three questions at the end of this post please leave comments below or email them to me, and I will forward them along. I would also like to see the Public Access Channels to be broadcast out for those of us that don't have cable. I probably have more to add to this in a couple of days so check back on Wednesday!

Links: Government Websites [FCC] [DTV]
Cited: Fort Wayne Politics [10Jan09] [27Jan09]

Remember to also check out the Calendar Overview from March-May for some really awesome events this month and next. Just scroll down to the picture of the Old Fort on the right and continue to read from there. Finally, in honour of Holy Week, whom ever thought a lamb could look so adorable laying down with a lion? Photo: Model, Adam Phebus, by Jeremy Kost

• How has the Conversion to Digital Television gone so far for you?
  
• What do you think of the local Fox affiliate finally adding a news broadcast?
  
• What improvements would you suggest to the local television stations?
  

The regular media is finally catching up the rest of the way

GOP, Democrats dismiss
Libertarians at their peril
By Kevin Leininger The News-Sentinel

Libertarian Chairwoman Jennifer Jeffrey's cell phone rang early Tuesday night as she spoke about efforts to build a competitive third political party in Allen County. As she listened to the vote totals, disappointment filled a face that had beamed with optimism only minutes before.

“I won't say I'm content with the results. I was expecting to win. But I'm glad we were heard,” said Jeffrey, whose candidates were uniformly trounced Tuesday despite competing for nearly every city office, the first time that's ever happened. But the eight Libertarians on Tuesday's ballot were not merely heard. Their unprecedented presence and performance sent shock waves through Republican headquarters, even though none of them came close to winning.

“If not for the Libertarians, John (Crawford) and I would still be on council,” said 2nd District Republican Don Schmidt, a 36-year veteran who came up a scant 13 votes short in his race against Democrat Karen Goldner. Crawford, R-at large, best known for his forceful and unapologetic support of the city's no-smoking ordinance, finished a close fourth in a contest having room for only three. Crawford echoed Schmidt's conclusion.

Are they right? Could be. If Jeffrey is right when she said Libertarians draw two votes from Republicans for each vote they get from Democrats, the 580 votes 2nd District Libertarian Jonathan Bartels earned would have been more than enough to earn Schmidt another term.

Likewise, the more than 11,600 votes going to the three at-large Libertarians might have given Crawford the edge over incumbent Democrat John Shoaff, who won along with Republicans Marty Bender and Liz Brown.

Crawford lost to Brown by about 100 votes and to Shoaff by less than 2,000, although two-to-one support for Crawford among Libertarians cannot be assumed because most of them vehemently oppose the smoking ban as an infringement of business owners' property rights.

But if Jeffrey's crestfallen look was genuine - and it was - she wants to do far more than play the spoiler. She wants Allen County's Libertarian Party to offer legitimate alternatives to big government-loving Democrats and to Republicans whose deeds seldom match their small-government sound bites.

“My husband is with the Army in Iraq fighting for our freedom, so I really have no choice but to do the same,” the mother of four said. “Being a Libertarian means getting government out of the way and letting people live their lives. Our goal is to have candidates for all local races. If you don't build at the grass-roots level, all you have is a patchy lawn.”

Frankly, that image seems to fit right now. Even though it competed for all but mayor, clerk and council's 4th District, the party's candidates were - to be diplomatic - of uneven quality and, according to Jeffrey's own estimate, raised less than $10,000 in total campaign contributions.

Nevertheless, Jeffrey has good reason to believe her party's best days may be ahead of it.

“Voters need real choices, but the Republican and Democratic parties support the status quo, with little difference between them,” the self-described recovering Republican said. “The discontent with government has just built up over several issues, whether it was smoking, taxes, or Harrison Square and the use of eminent domain.”

But to build a political machine - and that's just what Jeffrey intends to do - it will take more than a handful of brave candidates willing to endure certain defeat for the sake of principle. It will require credible candidates and lots of money, neither of which are yet in abundance.

Ironically, that dream may have helped defeat Schmidt, the council candidate closest to Jeffrey's Libertarian ideal. But if the Republican Party does not heal the obvious and lingering resentments created by the contentious mayor's race, bigger names and fatter checkbooks may start looking for an alternative. That could be good for Jeffrey - and bad for her GOP counterpart, Steve Shine.

“(Libertarians) were emboldened” by the election, said Shine, who thinks his party will have to resist their appeal by re-embracing its core principles: limited government, low taxes and economic development.

“That would be good for (Republicans),” Shine said. “It would act as a check on us, if you will.”

It's never good when one party dominates politics - as the local GOP has done at times. But neither is it good when two parties seem to offer voters a single choice. The Libertarian Party is still the scrawny and sometimes awkward newcomer, but Democrats and especially Republicans ignore its potential at their own peril.

Libertarian Candidates Impact Election Results
By: Nicole Pence, from the Networks of Indiana News Center

Playing the role of political spoiler. Allen County's Libertarian Party made history for itself this year, posting candidates in nearly every Fort Wayne municipal race. Though none of them won, their presence clearly impacted some of the key races. As Nicole Pence reports.

Libertarian Jonathan Bartels ran in the second district city council race and lost. He only got six percent of the vote, but, since election night, he's been called the 900-pound gorilla.

Jonathan Bartels(L), Lost 2nd District Race: (Do you think if you weren't in this race in the second district Don Schmidt would be the declared winner right now?) Absolutely." That race is still being contested. Schmidt, the 36-year council veteran, finished 13 votes behind democrat Karen Goldner. Schmidt argues he'll push for a recount. Bartels says since the votes were tallied, democrats have been thanking him. Jonathan Bartels(L), Lost 2nd District Race: "As close as the race was if my votes had not have been there they would have more than likely gone to Don Schmidt.”

Andy Downs with the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics says it's a stretch to say Goldner won because of the libertarian in the mix. But, agrees it didn't help Schmidt. Andy Downs, Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics: “The libertarians way of campaigning in Fort Wayne, they talked a lot about fiscal responsibility, about government not being involved in economic development projects. I think it's fairly safe to say they pulled votes away from Republicans."

Downs also says libertarians made a big splash in the at-large race, gaining almost 12-thousand votes. Incumbent, Dr. John Crawford-who didn't get re-elected, is proof.

Andy Downs, Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics: "He's (Crawford) the person vocally for smoking ordinance and vocally for Harrison Square. And those are two issues the Libertarians spend a lot of time talking about."

Doug Horner (L), Lost At-Large Race: "People need to understand that we stand on ideals and values of small government, less taxes, less government intrusion and that's not where the parties have been going.”

The Libertarians plan to have candidates in the next county and school board elections.

Jonathan Bartels(L), Lost 2nd District Race: "We are obviously not a majority but we are a significant part of the district and we do need to be listened to."

News At Six: Spotlight on Local Libertarian Candidates for City Council

The Libertarian Vote in Fort Wayne Elections by Nicole Pence

(Fort Wayne, Indiana) Election Day is just 25 days away. This year, there will be more than the candidates from the two major political parties for Fort Wayne voters to choose from. Nicole Pence looks at the impact the Libertarian party could have on the November election.

Allen County's Libertarian party is making history for itself. The party has a candidate in every Fort Wayne municipal race, but the mayors seat and the 4th district council slot.

At a forum last week, Libertarian candidates turned heads. (showed clip of Byron Peters with no audio from earlier YLNI coverage)

Sam Wiesenberg IPFW student: (Will it make a difference in the way you vote?) Actually it will. I usually lean republican, but i really liked the libertarian candidates tonight."

Nicole Pence Indiana's News Center: "The Libertarian party of Allen County was reborn about four years ago. In the last major election in fort wayne, they had no candidates on the ballot. This year they offer eight."

Robert Fuller 5th District Candidate: "I've always been a die-hard Democrat, but I found a party that I really generally like and I'm willing to support it in anyway I can."

Doug Horner At-large City-Council Candidate: "I got tired of the status quo consistently people. Most people are ignoring the will of the against Harrison Square."

Jonathan Bartels 2nd District Candidate: "City council is saying we need to spend money on this or we need to spend more money on that. Well no. Fort Wayne's got a lot going on for it, you just need to advertise a little better."

A win for a third- party candidate is a long-shot -- but the Libertarians could still have an impact on the races.

Andy Downs: "Many say the Libertarian party appeals to the Republicans who are a little less interested in social issues, sort of traditional republicans. So, it's conceivable they'll pull some votes from there."

Jonathan Bartels 2nd District Candidate: Irrespective of the final count in November, we've still gotten some of our ideas out there."

To watch the video please visit the Networks of Indiana's News Center