Wednesday, March 6, 2002
One council member noted a $1 million payment for the cable system would help the borough build its savings.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The borough is offering its cable system for sale, for at least $1 million.
On Monday borough council authorized preparation of an ordinance advertising the cable system, to see what responses it gets before deciding whether to sell the system.
Former Mayor Guy McCrumb objected, stating that cable fees, which are now $12.50 monthly for 30 channels with one premium movie channel available at $7.95, will greatly increase if somebody else takes over.
He said if low profits are the problem, fees could be doubled and still be lower than what customers pay in other areas.
Needs work: Council member Fred Kingery, however, said the cable system needs a $409,000 overhaul, which does not even include expansion and updating. He said that the cable system is bringing only $18,000 profit into the borough yearly and takes workers away from other jobs the borough needs done.
Kingery also said the borough has less than $1 million in the bank now -- less than half what it had when he came on council. He said a $1 million payment for the cable system would help the borough build its savings.
Kingery said he doesn't think the borough owes it to residents to provide cheap cable service.
McCrumb agreed that low fees have contributed to the problem.