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Putting the horse before the cart

Last Tuesday, the Lillooet Camelsfoot TV and Radio Association (LCTVRA) held a meeting at the REC Centre.

The association’s board (of which our editor, Robin Poon, is a member) was trying to find out how many people in town rely on an antenna to get access to TV. LCTVRA broadcasts three channels in the area: CBC, Global, and the Knowledge Network.

However, because the broadcasting site is in a shabby state and the estimated cost of repairs is over $20,000, the board is considering cutting off the service. Instead, funding (wholly provided through Squamish-Lillooet Regional District) would go towards improving Radio Lillooet.

In addition to the five board members, about a dozen people came to the meeting.

Although the attendees had the chance to ask questions and discuss the value of free TV service to them, the board still seeks more input.

Most importantly, as stated above, it is looking for an accurate idea of how many locals actually use the broadcast TV signal as opposed to cable or satellite.

To that end, Anne Heath has volunteered to circulate a survey around town. Anyone who uses an antenna but was unable to make the meeting is invited to let the association know (we trust that Heath will get the word out ably).

After two weeks of newspaper and radio advertising as well as posters blanketing the town, the association drew only a dozen attendees (some of whom do not use an antenna to get TV and some of whom are married to board members).

That figure may be reflective of the service’s popularity, but the board is still uncertain. Therefore, it would look to gather more information before making a decision.

Questions of public feedback and disclosure have been a big deal in town lately. At the May 20 meeting on water meters, many speakers stressed the importance of engaging the public before making any decisions.

In the theoretical words of at least one local, talking to the community and making a decision based on the collected opinions would be “putting the horse before the cart.”

(The editorial board says “theoretical” because that local generally seems more occupied by the cases where the cart goes first.)

The week before last, the News expressed its dismay (but not surprise) at the dismal voter turnout. Someone at the May 20 meeting astutely observed that while none of the current councillors had run on a platform supporting water meters, no one ever asked about them, either.

Obviously, involving the public requires the involvement of the public (you know what we mean). Too often, however, that involvement only manifests after a decision has been made.

The meeting has already occurred but there is still an opportunity to contribute. If you see the TV survey and over-the-air TV broadcasting is important to you, please let the LCTVRA know.

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