Cable Department

2000-2001 Annual Report

Mission Statement

The Goal of the Cable Commission is to allow as much access to the Government of Grosse Ile Township to it’s citizens through the broadcasting and taping of the Township Board, the Planning Commission, the Recreation Commission, the Islandfest Commission, the School Board and any other committees or commissions the Township Board deems necessary, as well as taping and replaying selected meetings and programs for viewers of both G I – T V, the Grosse Ile Township Municipal Channel and “the School Channel”. In addition the Cable Commission works with the cable providers, Comcast and Americast New Media, and the Township Board to enhance cable television services and products for the citizens of Grosse Ile Township in a positive manner.

• A new franchise agreement was reached with Comcast of Taylor to provide cable and modem services to Grosse Ile for the next 15 years.
• An agreement was reached with Comcast of Taylor for the Township of Grosse Ile to take over the ownership of the Comcast tower behind playscape on Macomb Street, allowing the Township to lease out space on the tower and thus generate revenue for the Township.
• An agreement was reached with Comcast to lease out the small building along side of the Comcast tower, also for 15 years at a fee of $ 100 a month.
• On November 13, the offices and the headend facilities of G I – T V, moved to the New Township Hall on Groh Road.
• The new facilities includes the electronic boardroom, whose features include; remote cameras, a document camera, two projectors and screens to provide an opportunity for meeting attendees to have better access to meeting documents, state of the art sound systems to allow separate control of the room and broadcast audio, and ADA approved podium, television lighting, and two cameras in the first floor conference room to allow taping of studio shows and smaller meetings. The electronic boardroom was designed by Electronic Interiors of Minneapolis and was built by Thalner Electronics of Ann Arbor.
• After experiencing numerous audio difficulties the entire playback system of G I – T V was rebuilt. A faulty Leightronix switcher was deemed to be the cause of the audio difficulties. It was repaired under warranty.
• The April 1, 2000 Annual Township Meeting was telecast “Live” from Centennial Farm. This meeting was the first live broadcast since the move from the Middle School in the spring of 1998.
• G I – T V, in cooperation with the Ile Camera, was able to telecast “Live” a Candidate Forum. This program allowed the viewers of G I – T V an opportunity to meet the candidates for the August Primary Election.
• Also in an effort to better inform the citizens of Grosse Ile, all the interviews leading up to the selection of the new operators of the Equestrian Center on Centennial Farm were broadcast.
• Once again the major production challenges for G I – T V were provided by the June Islandfest. Before the event, in order to promote the celebration, programs featuring the new Electronic Car Race, the Antique Show and the Airport Big Band dance were aired. This year for the first time the Fashion Show, the Car Race and the Friday “ Memories on Macomb Street” old car rally were taped and aired. Also as always the parade was taped using multiple cameras and there was taping of both the Antique Show and the Civil War gathering at Westcroft Gardens.
• Other events taped for G I – T V include: The Erwin Molzan Medal Ceremony “Live”, which was also broadcast throughout the southwest Detroit metro area on the Comcast system, the New Township Hall Dedication ceremonies, A special pre-election infomercial on the Library issue, the Halloween parade, the Fundraiser for the Lighthouse, the Trenton Town Hall meeting on the train blockage problem as well as the Statehouse debate.
• The School System continued to be a priority for the Cable Commission. In January the Cable Department built a new playback unit at the East River School so that the School Board would both be able to provide live School Board meetings and control their own channel. The Cable Commission provided a new Alphagen graphics unit and as well as some playback equipment to the schools. Taping services of the Cable Department will still be provided as requested by the School.
• We covered many events throughout the year including all School Board Meetings, all the Block Schedule Meetings, the Shakespeare play, the High School Talent Show, numerous plays and concerts at the Middle School, Parke Lane and Meridian Elementary, district and regional girls basketball games, regional cheerleading competition, boys basketball, the final projects for honors classes, the Homecoming parade, Powderpuff Football and the Homecoming crowning ceremonies, the Senior Recognition day and the Senior Honors Banquet.
• Once again the Cable Department under the guidance of the Recreation Department provided both after school and summer camp opportunities to learn video skills. Graduates of these classes have both worked with G I – T V and produced shows for G I – T V.
• Chris Rhodes, a Grosse Ile High School student, in cooperation with the cable department, once again totally redesigned the Grosse Ile web page. The new page included minutes to the Board Meetings, easy to reach pages for governmental departments, Grosse Ile clubs and churches, Business pages as well as news and upcoming event features. Also featured are all the e-mail newsletters from Supervisor Doug Jones.

The Challenges of year 2001/2002 will include producing both more and better quality programming that meet the guidelines set out by the Cable Commission. Improving the graphic system for the bulletin board, and starting to switch to a digital format are also goals for the upcoming year. Also we hope that soon live audio transmission of Board and Planning commission meetings will be streamed over the net via the Grosse Ile web page.

2000-2001 Cable Technicians and Staff

Drew Welsh, Camera
Chris Neal, Camera
Tim Wielgus Camera
Kerry Kelly, Director and Camera
Garry Moore, Producer and Camera
Janice Fournier, Camera
Sara Doss, Camera
Jim Hall, Camera
Jim Daniels, Host and Camera
Kelly Marcott, Producer, Director, Camera, Engineer & Editor
Ashlee Will, Camera
Chris Rhodes, Web Page Designer
Daniel Baghdoian, Camera
Haley Vining, Camera
Geoffrey Girolamo, Producer, Director and Camera
Christy Tomich, Host
Colleen Sielski, Camera, Floor Director and Editor
Willie Sandman, Play- by- Play
Jay Strassner, Play-by-Play

2000-2001 Annual Report

Printed from Grosse Ile Online
http://www.grosseile.com