There’s no place for prime-time political pitches — at least not on channel 6.

The Carol Stream village board decided to nix the idea of airing programming by legislators and others representing larger areas on cable channel 6 to stick with straight local programming.

Currently on cable channel 6, programming includes: Carol Stream police roundtables, Park District meetings, mayor roundtables, the Illinois Channel, Carol Stream board meetings and school district meetings.

Village Trustee Don Weiss introduced the topic during Monday night’s board meeting by outlining three possible tiers of programming.

The first tier would include programs produced by the village and include board meetings and other programs prepared locally.

The second would be prepared by other governmental agencies that include but are not limited to school districts, park district, library and fire protection district.

The third tier would be programming generated by legislators and others representing areas larger than the village.

“(This is a way) to learn what goes on in your community in the most common form of communication,” Weiss said.

But Weiss was the only trustee to support his proposal.

Trustee Greg Schwarze agreed it was a good way to get messages out to the public but felt during election cycles, problems could arise with giving what would equate to free air time to incumbents.

“I watched those shows (on channel 6), they were very nonthreatening so to speak,” Schwarze said. “As far as some things I am concerned about, I think it could still be a problem during election cycles ... especially if some content could be proposed legislation and perceived as an issue.”

In an attempt to compromise, village manager Joe Breinig said the village could opt for a blackout during election season where active candidates would not be aired.

Trustees Rick Geiser, Matt McCarthy and Tony Manzzullo agreed with Schwarze that tier three should not be run on channel 6, but did not think a blackout time frame was a valid solution.

“If we stick with tier one and two that is our channel,” McCarthy said.
Mayor Frank Saverino sided with the majority, wanting only tier one and tier two programming on channel 6.

He said residents who are watching the programming often tune in to find out what is directly affecting them. They want to know what is going on with their local park district and schools.
Weiss made a motion to include local programming of tier one, tier two and tier three on channel 6.

However, incumbent programming would not be aired 90 days before election day.

The motion did not receive a second.

McCarthy motioned to have the cable access channel 6 include programming only from tier one and two.

The board unanimously approved the motion.