There are a few key points you learn at URTV 101, the free weekly orientation to Asheville's public-access station.
No. 1: URTV is not paid for with taxpayer money.
No. 2: The channel is set up as a First Amendment-flexing, free-speech forum.
No. 3: There's only one thing you won't see on the channel: Commercials.
No. 4: It's open to everyone.
"Every type of person you can imagine in Asheville is at URTV," says Fyffe Aschenbrenner, a URTV member. "It seems to me that URTV really represents the community — it's not just a place for people play around and be freaky. There's plenty of religious shows, every kind of music is represented, talking heads with their speaking engagements, everything."
To elaborate on the first point: Charter Cable subscribers pay the majority of URTV's budget ($246,000 last year; the rest comes from membership and course fees, grants and other services the station offers, such as transferring VHS tapes to DVDs). Although the cable-subscriber funds are administered by the city of Asheville and Buncombe County, the notion that people's taxes go to support the station is a misconception.
What's on URTV?
by Curt Arledge
A look at some program highlights
• Jonathan's Journey
Category: Inspiration. Regular time slot: Weekly, Sundays at 5 p.m.
Jonathan's Journey is a true "reality show," chronicling the day-to-day travels, interactions and opinions of local producer Jonathan Selby. Though Christian in orientation, Jonathan's Journey draws on Selby's rich cultural background – including experiences in the Hippie movement, corporate America, human-service work, and a period as an Amish schoolteacher – to highlight the variety of opinions and worldviews of the people he meets in Buncombe County and WNC.
• Hotel Propaganda
Category: Arts & Culture. Regular time slot: Standalone programming, check schedule at urtv.org.
This year, after three years and 83 episodes, the long-running weekly underground-music show Mount Dungeon came to an end. Out of the ashes comes a brand-new local-music showcase produced by a veritable supergroup of prolific URTV producers, including former Dungeon host Matt Howard, Johnny Lemuria (of URTV late-night show The Pleasure Saucer), Larry Grillo and Michael Folliett (The Wallpaper Project), Nick Iway and Marcia Grillo (both of various standalone projects). With one episode completed and more on the way, keep an eye out for Hotel Propaganda.
• The Global Report
Category: First Amendment. Regular time slot: Weekly, Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
The Global Report covers news that is underreported by mainstream media, exposing abuse of power and advocating for social change. Since 2006, URTV has supplied the studio and volunteer training for TGR, which is now broadcast nationally on Dish Network via Free Speech TV. This locally produced show (formerly called the Asheville Global Report) can easily be seen several times a week in tens of millions of homes across the country, alongside programs such as Democracy Now.
• News & Blues
Category: Community Issues. Regular time slot: Weekly, Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.
Hailing from Binghamton, N.Y., where he produced a popular local public-access TV show, Rob Speer now brings News & Blues to an audience in Buncombe County. Beginning each show by picking some blues on his vintage Fender Telecaster, Speer then challenges accepted beliefs with passionate commentary on subjects such as the hidden truths of 9/11, the fraud of the Fed and chemtrails in the sky. Speer embraces the "conspiratorial," and lets the viewer be the judge.
• Spirit of Civitan
Category: Community Issues. Regular time slot: Standalone programming, check schedule at urtv.org.
Many local organizations take advantage of URTV's training, equipment and channel space to increase their visibility and community outreach. Spirit of Civitan showcases notable moments from the club's meetings, including guest speakers on the I-26 Connector and from the WNC Film Commission, local public officials like Mayor Terry Bellamy and Police Chief Bill Hogan, and annual Good Citizenship Awards for local students.
• Nick Zorro Iway Presents
Category: Multiple. Regular time slot: Standalone programming, check schedule at urtv.org.
Like many other talented URTV producers, Nick Iway is a frequent contributor of eclectic standalone programming (not a weekly or biweekly series). Past projects include Unrelenting Entertainment, a blend of music videos, short films, investigative reporting and comedy; Building Ideal Relationships, a panel discussion with local couples; and Asheville 48 Hour Film Project Wrap-up, a live show featuring short films and interviews with local participants of that competition. Programs to look for include WNC Hope House, about a safe house for local victims of the child-sex trade; Christian-music program Lakehouse Music Studio; and a pilot for a soap opera.
• URTV Studio Certification Live
Category: Multiple. Regular Time Slot: Final Thursday of the month, 8:30 p.m.
Every month, URTV offers certification courses for its field gear, editing and studio. The final session of URTV's Studio Certification course puts the students live on URTV for a 30-minute program of their own creation. Some students work the control-room video switcher, some man the studio cameras and others appear in front of the camera on live television. Going live makes sure that new producers are comfortable with the studio and have one completed show under their belts. Once certified, producers are eligible to reserve studio time for live or taped programs as often as availability permits – for free.
• The Ellen B Show
Category: Arts & Culture. Regular time slot: Mondays, 8 p.m.
Since 2007, Ellen Braverman has been a consistent weekly contributor to URTV's programming lineup. On her weekly half-hour variety/talk show, Braverman interviews guests on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, health, the environment, life & death, belief systems, acupuncture, belly dancing, golf and dreams. The conversation is fun and engaging, and even serious subjects are addressed with the characteristic humor and warmth of Ellen B.
• Art Seen Asheville
Category: Arts & Culture. Regular time slot: Standalone programming, check schedule at urtv.org.
A longtime staple of URTV's Arts & Culture programming, Art Seen Asheville shines a light on the world of Asheville's creative community. Producer Ursula Gullow visits visual artists, writers and performers in their places of work to discuss topics such as creative blocks, dealing with galleries, rejection letters and installing an art show. Gullow draws on her own artistic instincts to create a well-paced program that is visually stimulating, educational and promotes passionate advocacy of the local artistic community.
• A Closer Look
Category: Community Issues. Regular time slot: Wednesdays, 8 p.m.
A Closer Look host Keynon Lake examines the area's best programs for underprivileged youth. Past programs have highlighted foster parenting, summer camps, high-school drop-out prevention, the Asheville City Schools Foundation and URTV's own Summer Youth Video Camp.
Curt Arledge is program director at URTV.
As far as No. 2 goes, programs can be about pretty much anything, so long as they're not commercial (shows can't be used to promote businesses, for example), don't violate any laws, and abide by URTV's fairly flexible standards of acceptability. URTV is on Charter channel 20, or view it as a live webcast at urtv.org.
Another key point: If you use URTV's equipment, you've got to put programming on the channel. That is, if you learn how to shoot video on URTV cameras, you've got to run something on URTV at least one time. After that, the copyright for the program is yours.
And a broad mix of programs it is, with such titles as Be Healed in Jesus Name, Veterans Voices, The Mad Monk of Montford, Plants and Their Friends, Art Seen Asheville and Citizens Speak. The producers of individual shows often end up working together, sharing tips and helping each other out.
"Literally every day, our media center brings together people across lines of politics, class and life experience," says Program Director Curt Arledge. "I don't know of any other place in this area where Republicans, Greens and Anarchists share ideas and work together with civility."
Doing it yourself
Two years ago, Bruce Kennedy had no experience in what he calls "commercial storytelling" — that is, using the equipment and technology to create video.
"Within short order, and at very low cost, I was on the air with my first documentary, The Why? of Tai Chi, and a semi-regular satire show, Our Human Race," Kennedy says in an e-mail. "The professional level of training I received from the URTV staff produced this miraculous and sudden transformation."
URTV offers two studios, an editing room and a host of high-tech cameras and mics that members can take into the field once they've been certified.
"They've got some wonderful equipment. You can do anything with that stuff," says Rob Speer, host of Blues and News, a popular program that mixes blues guitar and underground-news footage.
It costs $75 to become a URTV member. After that, you pay a similar fee for classes, and can learn everything from producing a live program in massive, three-camera Studio A, to editing software such as iMovie and the Final Cut suites.
Some critics say URTV isn't necessary because of the advent of YouTube and Twitter, Web-based platforms that enable people to connect and share information, says Jonathon Czarny, the station's manager
"Those services only work for people who have their own equipment and already know how to use it," he says. "URTV provides facilities, equipment, training and a group of people who exchange ideas, energy and expertise to help one another improve their skills and shows."
What to watch
"The people who use this facility and the programming are as diverse as Asheville itself," says producer Chris Wingate.
Wingate is a testament to that. With URTV equipment, he has documented political events, helped small family co-op farmers make a training video for their equipment, produced a series on health-care reform, filmed reggae star Michael Franti reading his children's books at the Lake Eden Arts Festival and is working on a series of training videos for whitewater-rafting guides.
"If you've only seen a few programs, you might think that all URTV programming is silly Wayne's World stuff or really conservative. But we've really got a little bit of everything. That's one of the coolest aspects of URTV, that anyone willing to spend the time and effort can have a voice."
Success stories include Global Report TV (formerly the print-based Asheville Global Report). Three years ago, the paper's staff started producing their blend of under-reported news as a video program. Not long after, Free Speech TV picked up the program to show via the Dish satellite network.
"The Global Report is forever indebted to URTV," says host Eamon Martin. "It has supplied our organization with top-notch resources, trained several of our volunteers and provided our news program with a launch pad to be broadcast."
At URTV, you can make shows weekly or whenever inspiration hits you. You can produce a live studio show or tape shows out in the community.
"It's amateur media, and unlike commercial media, it is 100 percent real and local," says program director Arledge.
And local amateur media often looks a lot more, well, amateur than the slick stuff on other channels. But it serves a very different purpose, its users say.
"URTV is important because it offers citizens a way to utilize a particular medium that, up until the advent of public-access TV, was largely controlled by privately owned corporate interests," says producer and videographer David Connor Jones.
Jones, too, has produced some disparate programs: His first series, Ashe-vegas Music Television, featured local bands playing live at local venues. He also helped with the initial production of the Global Report, and now works on a weekly documentary program. "The station is a vital extension of the First Amendment in an age of mass media," he says.
"How people choose to use that liberty varies considerably. Some folks may use it to do a talk show about UFOs. Some may showcase local bands, or actors engaged in a play, or a stand-up comedy routine. Someone might use it to showcase his daughter's dance recital. Others might discuss political matters."
URTV's staffers say that if you've got an idea, come on down to the studios, at 31 College Place in Asheville.
"People might not know how easy it is to get involved," Czarny says. "Simply put, any resident of WNC can use URTV's resources to make their own TV show. You make it, we air it."
For more information, including program schedules and membership and training opportunities, visit www.urtv.org or call 255-8848.
URTV by the numbers
by C.A.
$75: Cost of annual local membership at the media center
$50: Cost of certification courses in using field gear, video editing and studio production
$0: Cost of renting equipment/facility, once certified
24: Hours per day URTV is on the air
0: Number of commercials on URTV
3: Years URTV has been in operation
1,000: Hours of use for URTV's main studio in 2009
$144,577: The market value of the above figure
$0: Amount of taxpayer money URTV receives
1-10 p.m.: Operating hours Tuesday-Saturday (1-8 p.m. on Saturday)
6 p.m.:Time of weekly free walk-in orientation on Wednesdays
For more information, visit www.urtv.org.
Dear readers,
URTV has been a much-discussed topic here at mountainx.com as various debates have played out. To elevate the debates, we’re asking that everyone who posts on this thread give their real name after each of their posts. Say what you think, and tell us who you are. Thanks for reading and writing,
Jon Elliston, managing editor
Bravo Mountain Xpress for having expectations of readers and those who comment. Many thanks for your willingness to set boundaries and bring real conversation to the community.
Thanks to Rebecca and Mountain Xpress for putting together a great story. URTV has had some “bad press” in the past and it’s nice to see the true value of URTV represented.
(DCJ stands for David Connor Jones. There are like 5 other David Joneses here in Asheville – one is a friend and a musician as well, so I employ my middle name.)
What a wonderfully fair and balanced article this is. I greatly appreciate it. Kudos to Rebecca and the Mountain Express!
Now, come one, come all … come on down to the URTV studios and take advantage of this excellent FREE SPEECH community resource!
what chris said is right-on,
many thanks go to mtn xpress for getting the correct..”urtv is america at her best”.So many 3rd world countries lock-up their citizens for for voicing opinions or just for speaking the truth..
This is a great article which clarifies all the misconceptions.Both the city of Asheville and Buncombe county can be proud of the URTV organization and its proper uses.
I can say this with the utmost confidence,
my name is jeff turner,my show is jeff turner live which airs weekly on saturdays from 4-5pm,also id like to thank each and every viewer.Here locally… and on the worldwide internet,
City council has given URTV a 90-day extension on their contract, which expires in November, pending a significant course correction in management and oversight.
Rebecca,
While I share the clear need of public access for the residents of Buncombe County and even agree on the benefits that public access provides however the charges on everyone’s cable bill is not a choice – its required & in my opinion then to myself its a clear tax.
This “tax” is then given to local government to fund items in their general funds other than public access tv which clearly shows up as a tax on the user of cable tv.
The power structure of the board of directors & the current executive director has been ask many times to speak to the media including Mtn.Express on concerns of violations which I think they have not addressed fully.
I have requested many times that URTV Board Chairman & the current rxective director address this in a fourm & allow questions from their membership (or now called clients now) along with the public which only fell upon silence, which is very sad.
Set the record straight would have been better than just circling there wagons which a current board member says the board is doing right now.
URTV should be a beaker of transparency which they have not been in my opinion, any ideal why they will not air their board meeting on URTV even after it was filmed?
It was a fight to get them to film their board meetings, here is a clip that covers this concern:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfV2Ge4HQI
As a former Board Member of URTV, I have express many concerns due to the lack of actions by the board chairman along with the current director of violations of open board meeting laws of NC & City & County resolutions.
Yes, film it & URTV will air it for the most part however they are many issues that the power structure has not addressed to-date.
By all means I support public access & I would be glad to expand my thoughts & concerns with any producer on their show which to-date they refuse maybe you will take me up on my offer.
We don’t need to lose public access so look a little more other than just filming to see the concerns,violations & compare the new by-laws and many more that others have with the current
power structure.
I will fight to retain public access in the days ahead but will speak out when I see issues & problems.
Richard Bernier
Remeber, URTV agreed to City & County resolutions which as a board member I worked hard to conform to the required resolutions while the power structure failed to follow in my opinion. I would suggust again that they review their resolutions & comply.
There are a few key points you learn at URTV 101, the free weekly orientation to Asheville’s public-access station. Actually in the link provided the word “tax” is shown 44 times when on keys it in.
No. 1: URTV is not paid for with taxpayer money.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/House/HTML/H2047v6.html
No. 4: It’s open to everyone.
Unfortunately this inclusive scenario is a prevarication. Fact is over 500 former members are out in the hinterlands somewhere. Some of the original members spent many months setting up the studio, only to be run off during an all too often, personality conflict. People are only allowed to participate if they remain in the good favor…don’t ask any questions about the finances,which a member is entitled to view http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_55a/gs_55a-16-02.html or for the membership list, which any member is entitled to. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_55a/gs_55a-7-20.html
Those requests got be kicked off the Board.
Good article though, on the possibilities of public access….I’d love to see it flourish.
Sorry for the typo…should be
“got ME kicked off
I would like to say thank you, to the Mountain Express. I do agree, it is a wonderful piece a wonderful piece indeed. Well written, well covered and well presented. Once again as a URTV Producer I say thank you, thank you, Mountain Express. Dale Joyner
I bet write in candidate for city council Tim Peck could get URTV to straighten up.
i don’t know… sounds like to me,someone gave rebecca a snow job, and she reported it….
anyone who knows what is going on,on the inside would see it that way…
am i right?? come on..
that is not to knock rebecca…
i am john blackwell…
Orbit TV is currently in development…Marc
Thank you Mountain Xpress for the honest impartial reporting regarding URTV. The personal vindictive actions of others have slowed the truth about the studio and employees. Luckily it is becoming more apparent the ulterior motives behind those who wish to shut down URTV.
can i have a show on orbit tv ?
i think it is time to do a documentary about public access tv in asheville,for public access tv..
“You make it, they air it
How to get involved at URTV”
get involved !!!
how about a show called -public access this week- ,or -this week in public access-?
it could be about every thing going on at urtv this week. now that would be a show.
john blackwell
can i have a show on orbit tv ?
We’re looking to make a 2 hour block of programming. If you have anything cool, send it my way. If I think it’s cool, then it’s on.
why did you leave the photos unidentified,,source,credits,proper journalism…
Jeff, what pictures are you referencing?
all of them
this article jon,at least three photos of folks using the studio services,and no mention of the show name or the individual producers,members of our community that folks do follow,and it is news,,the other day in another blog piece i wrote,jeff fobes said he didnt really think my daughter having twins mattered ,as it is a personal,rather than a civic matter,,my way of thinking is probably just the opposite of that,people in this city and county do want to know more ,,when i won the election in 2006, i received a gracious 19,404 votes,,thats 27 percent of this papers possible circulation county wide,,,do you still think it isnt news,,,i beg to differ,,thanks to mountain xpress for letting us express.
maybe thats the bigger question here jon,just what is news…from my observations in the last twenty years or more news has turned into nothing but bad,,social deviants,murders,wide=spread political corruption,kids and parents going off the deap end,wasted fax dollars,families losing everything,world pestilence,shrinking icecaps,
maybe we the reader/viewer need a break from the new international standardized version of the news…thats why i love being a member of urtv.org,i get a chance to air a program that focuses on something good happening,people smiling singing laughing,instead of the hohum
giving people a break when others wont..were kinda all tried of priority red & orange,we are burned out from war and its horrors,im personally tired of seeing crying mothers on television ,instead of another nc soldier k i a ,maybe write the articles with some compassion,example…neighborhood embraces grieving family…,,i can and will be more concious of this myself on each and every show i produce,next week,the good news
if a producer at urtv wants to keep his show,he better keep his mouth shut about any bad thing at urtv..now thars no joke..
john blackwell
Im not sure I understand what you are saying above Jeff Turner. You are very aware of problems of how board of directors occur since you are on the water board.
You state you love urtv, does that mean you agree with the current direction of the board & director?
Maybe you could invite me on your show & we can compare notes of being on a board here in Buncombe County?
Todate, no producer will accept my offer – one can only wonder why!!
RB
RB…
Produce your own show. Maybe the active Producers know the truth and don’t have time for your personal vendetta.
Since the story did not include all the shows, I would like to state for the record that GLoLady TV started 2 years as an hour talk show that educates and entertains, now with two spinoffs Karmic Tools and I Ching, we produce 2 1/2 hours of live programming every week.
Karmic Tools explains the planetary system and how it affects us.
I Ching which is one of the photos, has live call ins for free readings. In the photo you have the I Ching Guy Mark, I Ching Lady Shannon, I Ching Dog Shamrock, I Ching Mom Mumu.
Lisa,
I am an active producer with over 300 plus hrs of video. I dont need to talk about the work like you feel that you do to impress others.
No producer will address issues that I stand firm on, your twist is like the current power structure that is in place right now.
I am for public access & not will stand up when things are wrong, its clear for others to see that you & others will not.
Principles & doing what is right will promote the truth, even when others turn away – like you do!!
RB
thanks for the offer richard,but my lil show is about arts and culture,the type of show you so graciously offered would probably fall under a different series guideline,,im mostly music and areas spiritual culture…
to me theres “no”comparison in the two different boards you mentioned,one is a county/state board,and one is a corporate board,
the soil and water conservation district board is determined by the voters at large in the general elections,which are recognized by the state ,the winner of the election are then sworn in by the circuit judge.(?),the same judge as the sheriff,we swear on the bible or other duly accepted book,..the corporate board at urtv is run and administered in a completely different manner,,this is ..my understanding of such..
.each person is different also,so theres no comparison in that, either.
i was a new-comer politically ,my options wrere varied in my approach to becoming an active member of that board,i didnt chose,what might be considered by some as controversial actions,i attended and watched protocol of the honorable committee,and slowly over time began to engage in discussion and evidentaty examinations of the business at hand,
there are times when disagreements arise ,however the conversation remains civil and to the facts,,,the buncombe county soil and water board is an honorable board ,of which i have had the honor to serve on and am honored to serve the great citizens of buncombe county in our continuing efforts,,
of course this is only my opinion,and in no-way,reflect the thoughts of anyone else,whether fictional or real.
jeff turner wrote and authorized this messsage
Jeff your motives show through. It is all about you. You got upset because they used your picture and not your name. The truth is revealed. Thanks Jon for asking that people put their name with their post.
That makes it real easy to see who says what and why.
thats right don, i paid the membership fee and i do what i do,and i use my own morality clause,guest are welcome on the show,,,used to be youd get better reporting,,what are you ranting about ,,you have your own show,,,it does what it does, mine does what it does,,,i do fight for justice however,,,just what is it that you do….are you a veteran,,,just what is it that you have contributed to america,you do know some people only take from america,,,just wondering .i do appreciate the fine news reports that you bring us,the show you have is a assest to our community,,
i am jeff turner..if you can live my life and do it better,,hop on over in my veterans boots and see how easy it isnt..keep ya insults to yourself,,i thought you had more integrity than that,,,im jeff turner,,i said it and as always i mean every word,,,,this is my opinion only ,just cause its raining outside and i felt like responding,,
don if you think for one minute its been easy on me since i was crushed on board the
uss eisenhower in 1978,,you need more help than i do…and as a four year lung cancer survivor to boot..
people have a unique way of being more than they are ,,,are you one of those people..
i came home an honorably discharged veteran,,not a lowlife,i volunteered to serve for my right to have a say,,,did you do that…
some folk in this town tried real hard to turn me into a bad person,,but im not
and please dont you think for a minute all your degrees mean anything ,unless you use the knowledge for the betterment of all humanity,not just as a tool to gain political power..
i tell you what sir,,ill tend to my backyard,,,you tend to yours,,with all due respect to you as an american and as a buncombe neighbor
Just forget the offer Jeff – City of Asheville seems to be on track with their new board member which will be coming to the board of directors for URTV nest week.
This new board member must report to city & comply with open board meeting laws which will require the current power structure of URV to comply.
Dont you think its sad Jeff when a board fails to do what they are required to do?
Best wish on your show though.
RB
Not sure if Matt Howard will be required to follow city guildlines, it would be a stuggle for him at this point.
Jeff, I never bring up my degrees and I do have a few. I made a simple comment and you come back with more stuff about you. It is not about me or you but about freedom. As for my service to this country, you should have asked about me. I am 4F. Do you know what that means. My number was 51. I lost friends in the Viet Nam war that was not a war but a political nightmare.
I do not want to try to live your life but I you just proved again what I said. It is not about you or me. It is about truth and justice for all not just a select few. That does mean not me or you, but all.
okay don…have a good weekend ,i understand 4-f everything military or connected..the constitution speaks of individual liberty ,,i choose to practice that the way i choose,,my purpose for being….. isnt anyone elses business,my show while it maybe strange or just no=good to anyone,is my exercise of free speech,,among others,such as this letter,,i speak with satified producers everytime im at the station,i work with others ,,and above all,i want others to prosper in their respective endeavors,especially those who go out of their way to grace the jeff turner live show…with a guest appearance,,
many producers tell me they are blessed to have gotten use of the facilities,maybe the reason i dont see any real problems there is because they’re aren’t any real issues.
as far as my position on the other board my record speaks for itself,,,i was pushing for the cts cleanup right off the bat,,,however being elected means my grumbling goes up the chain of command..i ,on behalf of the citizens implore to the senators,and congressman to fix this issue,,they responded by saying they would let me know ,when they could advise me back on the matter,,im still waiting,,,
i / we on the board have clamped down on loosely written contracts to remove any chance of fraud to the people,,,we on the board have maintained a working relationship with the clients and other members of the county and state,all records are maintained in proper order,and all matters are handled in accordance with all local,and state laws,,our office is open to the public,,all protocol is followed ,meetings are announced on time,the office functions as it should ..my duties at bcswcd are for the citizens ,,,,but my show,,is my show
you must all come,and be on my new show…
john blackwell
i do miss a spot of tea,it was pleasant and relaxing,,,,and the enlighted conversations,i learned some good things on your show john…aka.mad scientist
Way Cool John…
Then RB can come have his words aired since he does not want to produce his own show.
As a Producer who has to pay out of my pocket to
create my artistic artform…it pees me off when people demand how I spend my hard earned money.
this is an un-solicited letter.
in my life i have never seen a mess like the one at urtv..
omg. some one told me that the membership has dropped from 600 and sum,to about 100 and sum…
what is up with that..
i think i know..
when things are messed up,people just go away..
i am john blackwell,and i have eyes,everywhere,and you know it…
trying to put this into focus..
it looks like pat garlinghouse has managed to drain about $200,000 out of the urtv money market account,from the time she got the treasurer(peter brezny) kicked off the board till now..that ain’t peanuts..
that is about 2/3 gone.one more,and then there is nothing left.[not good for urtv long term]. everyone who has tried to stop her has been run off..
membership is down from 600 something,to100 something,and membership fees are up from $35 to $75..all of this is not good for urtv long term..
some of us would like to see asheville have public access,for everyone for a long time..
if you will remember,
on my tv show,
more than a year before it happened,
i told everyone that bush,and his cronies would destroy the American economy on his way out of office..
well?
j.b… . . .. .
I was one of the people who voted to raise the membership of URTV from $50 to $75 a year. It is still cheaper than renting the equipment and studio time anywhere else.
If a membership of 600 produced a fish swimming in a fish bowl for hours a day, then membership of over 200 producing content for 24/7 live web streaming has weeded out those who have nothing better to do than complain about the constant improvements that the Executive Director has made since she was hired.
Sounds like a personal vendetta to me.
Lisa,
I produce several hrs of radio programing each week at http://www.uswebtalkradio.com & fyi. The term producer should be removed because the current power structure nows calls you “client”.
Lisa, its not about personal vendetta, its about doing the right thing, being open as a venue of public access, following resolutions as required.
The City of Asheville is on the right track by making the new board member to follow OBML’s of NC.
New direction Lisa is coming even if it requires folks to scream all the way down the open road of doing what is right.
RB
50% increase in membership was wrong & I did not vote for it, I supported user fees for the the few who uses it more than once a week.
People who use the services should pay more. Citizens can support public access by their membership & never turn in a video but I quess you cant see. Great example of why people didnt not rejoin.
For $75bucks, a homeless person can have a place to stay warm & dry, maybe they could get more homeless at URTV and get the membership growing again.
glolady,
i was the one who started doing live afternoon shows,that replaced the fish,but omg maybe you were not even at urtv yet,so maybe you did not know that…
maybe there are a few other things you do not know,because you were not around to see..
maybe the urtv that you love to use so much,was built by the hard work of a lot of good people,before the Executive Director ever stepped foot in urtv..
gee,maybe you would just need to have been there to know that kind of thing,so we should forgive your ignorance…
good work mx..
i am john blackwell….. . . … .. .
this is a short urtv pop quiz .
1-who was the first paying member of urtv ?
2-who was paying member #2 ?
3-who was the largest financial contributor last year ?
4-who was the first producer to start doing live shows for urtv ?
5-who was the first member elected board member at urtv ?
6-why do none of these people feel welcome at urtv now ?
7-why have most of the urtv members left ?
8-is there someone who just does not play well with others ?
hint– the answer to three of these questions is pat garlinghouse.
do you need another hint ??
Atv… john blackwell..
Ten months of one side present fact after fact after fact..the other side presenting smokescreens, prevarications and inane b.s. in order to sully the facts. Why is that?
Secret Service
F-you fail,and
did we forget our nome?? -10 points..
omg. like you know so much for someone who was not even around..
gee,maybe you would just need to have been there to know this stuff,so we should forgive your ignorance…
j.b.
Secret Service
Member photo does not exist
but oh how well they sully the facts.
j.b.
Secret Service
Q=”So just where are these 500 imaginary people you and Davyne keep talking about? ”
A= as far away from pat garlinghouse as they can get.
you get the imaginary number by taking the number of members at urtv when pat started as ed,and subtract the number who are there now..
it’s not that hard,and it gives pat the advantage of all the new members who have come in the last 2 years..
it looks something like
(650-150=500)…
j.b.
FYI, we have removed a comment by “Secret Service,” as the commentor did not provide their actual name, as requested on this thread.
Jon Elliston
Mountain Xpress
Thank you Jon Elliston for “keepin’ it real”
this accountability move is much appreciated. The anonymous posters will continue to bandy about all sorts of downright outrageous lies, and smokescreens, to sully the facts that management and the Board are constantly skirting their responsibilities to the public which funds them.
thank you Jon Elliston..
now you can see how some people just will not play by the rules,and that is what we have been going on about all of this time..
you know some people will tell lie after lie,as long as no one can find out who they are,but to take the heat for the lies they tell,well,that’s another matter..
trying to bring the truth to light,is why i lost my tv show at urtv..
now maybe people can put urtv in the search box,and go back and read all of the comments,and see what it looks like when you know that Secret Service,and the like will not even give their names..
my,how the truth will show up in a little thing like that..
john blackwell…..
you know,i was just looking back at a bunch of the old posts,and saw that some people are glad to give their name..
i liked this post by peter brezny a lot,and saw his name at the bottom..
Peter Brezny
Jul 16, 2009
at 7:16 AM
“The hypocrisy of “URTV MEMBER” Claiming that I anonymously post to harass URTV, is quite the ironic treat. Well done “URTV MEMBER” and “ANOTHER URTV MEMBER”
I would request however, that if you’re going to claim I make anonymous posts (which I don’t) about URTV, please do spell my name correctly.
The fact of the matter is, I don’t’ have any more time to waste on an organization being driven into the ground by Garlinghouse. All the relevant information I have to offer can be found here:
http://ourasheville.org/071115-urtv
Which are direct factual observations from when I was treasurer of URTV (the last qualified treasurer the organization has had).
Since I’m no longer a member, and no longer involved in the board, I have no new up-to-date information to present, and therefore have no reason to post regarding this matter.
Garlinghouse has ruined the potential of an organization that could have been a remarkable asset to the community.
Contrary to “URTV MEMBER’S” statements, I would like nothing more than to see URTV flourish. Unfortunately I don’t believe this will happen as long as Garlinghouse is at the helm.
I do hope that closer inspection of the actions of Garlinghouse will result in her removal, which will undoubtedly result in a resurgence of membership, as more than half of the former membership appear to have been directly driven off by Garlinghouse.
Good luck URTV, let’s hope some of the “URTV MEMBERS” will get a clue as well. Pat can be amazingly cordial as long as you’re doing what she wants. I suggest any of you died in the wool Garlinghouse supporters simply ask to see the books, that way you’ll get to see what its like when you fall out of favor.
Sincerely,
Peter Brezny ”
thank you for that peter,it shows how pat garlinghouse started out as ed,and i can tell you it just went down hill from there…..
i an john blackwell……. . .
As an active member and Producer of programing at URTV for over 2 years…the difference from my start till now has been more, better, and great.
The disgruntled few who keep slandering Pat and her job well done have not been to URTV to see or participate in any changes other than to attack who improves it.
The difference is black and white.
Geez Lisa, you might look up words like slander before you post in public and continue to make a fool of yourself.
Slander is spoken, libel is written. For statements to be libelous, they must be maliciously false.
http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/s052.htm
SLANDER – A false defamation (expressed in spoken words, signs, or gestures) which injures the character or reputation of the person defamed; distinguished from libel.
The “charmingly cordial” facade quickly turns dark when one begins questioning the flowery B.S. That questioning put me on the slippery slope. However, I got on the infamous and long, persona non grata list when an attempt was made to force me to take sides against old friends. I said at the time I was “sorry to see push had come to shove.” That style of management is heavy handed, outmoded and out dated. Most ADULTS are pretty adamant in thinking and choosing for themselves….and to be pushed into a corner and forced to take sides is simply an unacceptable management style.
You would immediately become persona non grata too, if you ever muster up the courage to ask a few hard questions and exhibit independent critical thinking. But frankly I don’t see you making that leap anytime soon.
Your actions and words sound like the definition you are trying to hide behind.
Please do not attempt to say what I have done or did not do. My words are because I did ask questions and did receive answers to those questions.
What has your media company done to try to compete with URTV because your plan to take URTV over had failed?
Your attempt at innocence is unbecoming when the facts are on the table.
Your ignorance of why public access was established by the county is showing. The idea was to train people to go on to use their skills learned at URTV to express themselves well beyond the confines of public access.
Western North Carolina Media Center, Inc. is in incubation …..to become a catalyst for any type of digital media. It may take months, or may take years. We’re just laying the groundwork…and Lisa it’s not about me making money, as I’m in the fortunate situation where that is not an issue for me…it’s about offering options for folks to get their work out.
Why in God’s name would I want to take over URTV????? That is a specious smokescreen used cunningly to distract while the management continues to flout the laws governing non profits. This is always the specious accusation used when certain people get on the hotseat again, and again and again.
Links to past articles of public access as a job incubator or a means of economic development for Buncombe residents: So why would it be a problem if folks go on to exhibit media in an independent and less onerous environment? . There are many more if you care to research…the upshot is one of the main reasons public access came to Buncombe was training for local residents.
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:H_ABAfpr-dEJ:www.mountainx.com/news/1998/0225county.php+“public+access+tv”+buncombe&cd=17&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:h-UKELvnj4oJ:main.nc.us/cnnews/patvarticle.shtml+public+access+tv+establish+jobs+buncombe&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:6lIvyY-xSYYJ:www.mountainx.com/news/2004/0211county.php+“public+access+tv”+buncombe&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Keep talking Davine… you almost spilled the beans at the last Commission meeting.
Soon people will be able to connect the dots regarding your attempts to get rid of Pat. How she thwarted your attempts at devious motives.
I’m certainly couldn’t be accused of trying to hide my beliefs that URTV could be run much better. I openly suggested to City Council (not the commission) that they open up the bidding to other non-profits. I said “URTV and public access are not wedded”….another non-profit might adhere to the management agreement (fundraising & outreach has been virtually has been non-existent under the current regime). And perhaps another management crew would obey laws that non-profits must abide by, (9 months of ongoing exposes’ re: URTV by Mtn Exp and other media have covered this issue fully).http://www.mountainx.com/topics/find/URTV
The facts are out for the world to see & read.
Public Access in Buncombe needs a tech savvy, SECURE fresh minded individual to run it…I hope one shows up….sooner rather than later. Public Access in Buncombe deserves much better than it’s gotten. But it won’t be me, I have no desire to “take over”. lol
Opps, make that I certainly couldn’t be accused of trying to hide my beliefs that URTV could be run much better.
typos…sheesh!
“try to compete with URTV because your plan to take URTV over had failed”
Lisa, this is so over used. What I have done is refused to be intimidated and skulk away with my tail between my legs. And what has resulted is the revelation of just how far certain people will go to try to intimidate and run off people.
This is what happens when some one refuses to back down…you have to resort to mindless accusations like this one I just quoted.
The problem is…. your personal opinion is based on personality and not on the principles of a job well done. You had your idea how it should be run and the facts are Pat HAS done a Great job building URTV.
There IS greater potential fot everything, that is a fact. It is progress not perfection.
Nine months of expose’ articles on Mountain Express and elsewhere are examples of unwillingness or inability to follow laws and management agreements. That simple fact goes far beyond my “opinions”.
Who can take URTV seriously when there is so much vitriol within the ranks? From what I have seen (and, yes, I have watched!), so much of the airtime is used by those who wish to erect a bully pulpit.
It’s not pleasant– especially some of the so-called political forums. Ridiculing someone who is duly elected is no substitute for offering alternative solutions.
Maybe this is how the powers that be, want it to be???
Heaven knows, if there was actually had some intelligent programming challenging the status quo, the natives might get restless.
opps,
DD with musical notes, is Davyne Dial & I approved the above messages.
Something constructive is to look at other public access stations and their offerings in comparison to URTV…
Wow… what a difference… Looks like those who are running URTV are by far out performing other stations.
1st Amendment rights of Freedom of Speech allow anyone to say what they want. Public access allows anyone to produce media of their own artistic expression.
We as humans have the ability to turn the channel to programing that appeals to our taste. Those who choose to watch something just to complain about what they are watching …. need to get a life of their own.
http://www.videouniversity.com/directories/public-access-stations