Laserfiche WebLink
CablcT¢lcvision <br /> <br />HAROLD E. HORN, Executive Director <br /> <br />Hon. Arnold L. Cox <br />Mayor <br />City of Ramsey <br />15153 Nowthen Boulevard, N.W. <br />Anoka, Minnesota 55303 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Cox: <br /> <br /> Cable Television is the focus of much national attention. <br />More than ever before local governments are playing an important <br />and decisive role in its success or failure. <br /> <br /> In my seven years at the Cable Television Information Center <br />here at The Urban Institute, I have seen that many municipalities <br />need unbiased, objective help in understanding the legalities, <br />economics and technology of cable television. Faced with complex <br />issues in awarding and regulating cable franchises, they often <br />need special skills and highly specialized information. You your- <br />self have probably experienced this need. <br /> <br /> During the past seven years, the Cable Television Information <br />Center has assisted over 1,700 communities with every conceivable <br />problem that can develop between a local government and a local <br />cable company. With financial support from the Ford and Markle <br />Foundations, the Center has provided most of this service free of <br />charge or at actual cost. Foundation support has enabled us to <br />develop a small staff of nationally recognized experts in local <br />government, communications law, financial and economic analysis, <br />cable technology and community programming. <br /> <br /> It has been a goal of the foundations and The Urban Institute <br />to make the Center a free-standing, nonprofit entity by the end of <br />1979. <br /> <br /> Currently, the Center is undergoing this process of transi- <br />tion, and we need your_help. <br /> <br /> To maintain "stand-by" technical assistance available for all <br />communities, the Center is establishing a membership plan that will <br />replace the generous foundation support with which the Center was <br />founded. <br /> <br /> In changing to a membership organization, we have received <br />the encouragement of both the National League of cities and the <br />International City Management Association. Several cooperative <br />projects with these two organizations are currently under discus- <br />sion. <br /> <br />THE URBAN INSTITUTE ° 2100 M STREET N.W. · WASHINGTON. D. C. 20037 · (202) 872-8888 <br /> <br /> <br />