The Times West Virginian

Local News

September 17, 2008

Negotiations for new Mannington cable television deal in full swing

By Mallory Panuska

MANNINGTON — Negotiations to enter into a new cable-franchise agreement for customers currently serviced by Mannington TV are in full swing following approval from city council this week.

Rick Ricchuito, director of new business development for Comcast Cable, explained the details of a potential deal to buy out Mannington TV to council members at a public hearing this week. James Sturm, longtime owner of Mannington TV, has said that he is planning to retire in the near future and is looking to sell the business to Comcast.

Ricchuito said that if a deal is struck, all customers currently serviced by Mannington TV will be upgraded to Comcast’s Marion County service lineup within 12 to 15 months of the contract approval. He said that customers will also be offered digital high-speed Internet, phone service and all other amenities currently provided by the larger company, which includes the option for a public access station within the lineup.

He said Comcast will offer more options for those who want more, but will also offer a 21-channel basic package for $15 a month for those who do not want all of the added features.

“It will be there for users to decide what they want to have,” Ricchuito said of the new potential agreement.

The recipients include all of the City of Mannington, as well as surrounding communities like Rachel, Metz, East Run, and other areas presently serviced by Mannington TV, Ricchuito explained.

Also this week, Mayor Frank White attempted to solve an ongoing issue with an unnamed alley in the Grandview area by recommending a motion to perform a property swap between owners in the disputed area. But, with no one from council jumping in with a motion, the recommendation did not go any further.

About five Maple Avenue homeowners and the Mannington Fair Board own property around the alley. Some of the homeowners have been in contention with members of the fair board over a fence the group recently erected at one end of the throughway, and city officials recently surveyed the property in an effort to solve the issue.

Ron Powell, one of the property owners, has said the fence prohibits him and his neighbors from accessing their properties from the back, creating an inconvenience. But fair board members put up the fence and want to keep it up for security reasons, city clerk Michele Fluharty has said.

The fair board suggested a property swap as a resolution to the issue, but Powell has said he and most of his neighbors object to the idea. And because no one made a motion to perform the swap this week, White said the alley will remain where it is, and the fair board will be required to move the fence to a different place.

And although he said this is not what the fair board wanted, he now considers it out of the city’s hands.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.

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