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<DIV><FONT size=1>(Please forward to others who may be interested -
David)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>HEARING ON NEW CITY-WIDE CABLE FRANCHISE ACCEPTING TESTIMONY
LIVE OVER INTERNET THIS WEDNESDAY 1/24/01</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>When: Wednesday, January 24, 5:30 p.m.<BR>Where: Council
Chambers, 600 - 4th Avenue, 11th Floor <BR><A
href="http://www.cityofseattle.net/cable">http://www.cityofseattle.net/cable</A>
<BR><A
href="http://www.cityofseattle.net/tvsea/live.ram">http://www.cityofseattle.net/tvsea/live.ram</A>
<BR>Email: <A
href="mailto:george.allen@ci.seattle.wa.us">george.allen@ci.seattle.wa.us</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Councilmember Jim Compton, Chair of the Seattle City Council
Public Safety and Technology Committee, will preside at a public hearing on the
application of Western Integrated Networks for a city-wide cable television
franchise. In addition to taking comments from those who attend the hearing,
testimony will be taken live over the internet via personal computer. The
hearing will also be aired live over the internet via streamed television.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Some discussion of the issues associated with the Council's
decision will occur, before testimony is taken, by Councilmembers, a
representative of the Citizen's Technology Advisory Board, staff from the City's
Cable Office, and representatives of Western Integrated Networks. Those
attending the hearing - in person or via the internet - will be invited to
submit questions to the panelists. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>About the opportunity for a new cable franchise in Seattle,
Compton observed, "The issue here is that competition should improve
service and get costs down for Seattle's many cable users. The addition of a new
cable franchise - perhaps this one - will open the door wider for Seattle to
stride into leadership in the whole arena of communications
technology."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>The hearing will be broadcast live over TVSea on Channel 21,
and can also be viewed live on the internet at <A
href="http://www.cityofseattle.net/tvsea/live.ram">http://www.cityofseattle.net/tvsea/live.ram</A>
Testimony can be given in person at the hearing or via e-mail during its
broadcast. E-mails should be directed to <A
href="mailto:george.allen@ci.seattle.wa.us">george.allen@ci.seattle.wa.us</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Copies of Western Integrated Networks' draft franchise
agreement may be viewed on the internet at <A
href="http://cityofseattle.net/cable">http://cityofseattle.net/cable</A>
Copies may also be reviewed at the City's Office of Cable Communications, 810
Third Avenue, Suite 442, Seattle. Written comments will be accepted up until
5:00 p.m., January 31, 2001, and should be addressed to Jim Compton, Chair,
Public Safety and Technology Committee, 11th Floor Municipal Building, 600
Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, or via e-mail to George Allen at <A
href="mailto:george.allen@ci.seattle">george.allen@ci.seattle</A>.wa.us<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>David Keyes<BR>Community Technology Planner<BR>City of Seattle
Department of Information Technology<BR>(206) 386-9759<BR><A
href="mailto:david.keyes@ci.seattle.wa.us">david.keyes@ci.seattle.wa.us</A><BR>710
Second Ave. #450<BR>Seattle, WA 98104 USA<BR>Fax (206)
684-0911</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>