SYLACAUGA — The City Council and Mayor Sam Wright met Monday with representatives of Charter Communications to discuss if the city will renew the contract for its cable service with the company.In early March, the council approved a resolution to extend the city’s cable franchise agreement with Charter Communications for 60 days. The agreement originally was set to expire March 15.
During Monday’s meeting, a topic that was previously discussed at a public meeting in April was continued. The city officials’ main focus of the meeting was finding a way for senior citizens in Sylacauga to receive a discount and a cheaper cable bill.
“(Charter Communications) hasn’t entered into any contracts in recent years adding that senior discount language,” said Lynne Coker, a spokeswoman with Charter Communications. “It’s discriminatory if you pick one particular group. When you hear people mention a senior discount, then people also usually associate that with saying there is a need. In other words, if they are seniors, then they need more help. Seniors are a great group for us because they tend to take all of our packages when they are happy with us. It’s like you’re almost saying it’s a needs assessment.”
The officials also asked if it was possible for the Sylacauga Housing Authority to buy bulk cable service, receive lower rates and then sell it to their tenants.
Leon Cleveland, executive director of the Sylacauga Housing Authority, said they have 526 units and about 1,200 tenants.
Coker said bulk services are handled by Charter Business Group. She said she will request quotes for the service and have them to Cleveland by next week.
“The Housing Authority is where you could really do some help,” Wright said. “That’s not going to be all of the seniors, but it’ll be so many of them who just have a hard time making it. I think we all are conscience of wanting to help them.”
Councilman Harold Ward agreed.
“Charter must make every effort to offer bulk cable to the residents in the Sylacauga Housing Authority because their average income is likely $700 or less. Cable is about their only source of entertainment and it helps their beings and attitudes.”
Wright said the council still wasn’t at a point of signing the contract to continue cable services with Charter Communications.
