U-R the answer

All right, folks: I have been a member of URTV since its physical beginning. I have labeled cables to become a member and submitted the first series, Attica Cherry—The Anti-Show, and produced over 40 hours of programming at URTV’s studio A.

On a personal level, I have watched the progression of events unfold with the changing of executive director and then program director. Overall, operations are fluid and more functional. Of course I have not entered the ring of politics [regarding] the board and [topics such as] stealing the cable signal and recasting it as direct competition, and now the jeopardy of funding because of—what?

I read your article [“Whose TV,” Feb. 25] and still can’t find any real issue of substance other than tidbits of gossip and hearsay. If you have a legal issue, take it up with the adults in court; otherwise, get over it and use the public access like it is supposed to be used. Let’s get real kids—play nice or get off the playground. Don’t threaten to shut it down because of bullying. Our crew is here to—bottom line—make television. Any who cast stones are seen at fault for their destructive aggression.

Frankly, Pat, John and Curt do an excellent job and are to be commended for pulling it all together. Those three should be thanked and asked how we, as the public-access community, can help—not do what we can to scandalize and cause issues for contempt or speculation.

I encourage Asheville and Buncombe County to take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity to get involved in making local media. If not, at least support it in some way, because it truly is an honor and privilege to participate in local-community dialogue. It is, as well, our First Amendment right of freedom of speech to use such a great tool, whether for information or entertainment.

— Troy Hornberger, producer
Asheville

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28 thoughts on “U-R the answer

  1. Troy writes: “If you have a legal issue, take it up with the adults in court”

    That is an excellent idea; perhaps a class action. Thanks Troy, I’ll get on that right away. I appreciate your advice.

  2. Matt Howard

    What is the goal of a lawsuit aginst URTV?
    Im not asking what got us here.
    Specificly, whats the endgame in sight.

  3. Oversight

    Numerous instances of violations to URTV bylaws, violations caught on film on open meeting laws, improper meeting form, allowing the Ed to dominate the Board Meetings…when they’re supposed to be overseeing her…etc, etc, etc…weilding harsh punishment and fines against producers for some minor infraction while virtually ignoring set laws for management…should put her on the “wall of shame” permanently.

    These are not “tidbits of gossip” as you state so all knowingly. To quote an Asheville official when advised of the ongoing infractions…this indicate just the “tip of the iceberg”.
    That place isn’t that difficult to run…once systems are in motion, (like they were from the beginning) it can operate fairly easily without too much effort. The big problems are not agressively seeking funding and partnerships in the community. This is in the management agreement, and has largly been under acheived. That is not gossip, it is fact.

  4. Matt Howard

    This isnt a criminal case. So I consider “justice” to be a little vague.
    What Im asking Tim is literally what are you sueing for? Money? Pat gone?
    I ask because Im less than sure URTV could survive a lawsuit. Without elaborating I will say that there are things Pat could have done differently to avoid having come to this place. But what I care about more than anything is URTV’s continued survival. That matters more than any one individual’s feelings on either side of this fight as far as Im concerned.

    So I ask again what are the specifics?

  5. Matt writes: “What Im asking Tim is literally what are you sueing for?”

    Damages.

    “In a class action, the plaintiff seeks court approval to litigate on behalf of a group of similarly-situated persons.” Those similarly-situated persons would be the public that URTV is established to serve. Damages would be paid to anyone who becomes a party to the suit.

    I too believe that URTV could not survive any litigation. The best way to avoid litigation is to avoid breaking the law. What, in your view, are the chances of that?

  6. Tonight from 6-8pm @ Rosetta’s
    Join the Asheville ABC Series to discuss:
    Community Journalism & Indy Media in Asheville
    URTV, MAIN, WPVM, WRES, blogging, tweeting, & more.
    Where are we standing & what are our opportunities & challenges?

    If you miss tonight’s meeting keep in touch with the (coming slowly but almost ready to function fully)
    http://www.AshevilleABC.com

  7. Hey Troy… I appreciate the attempt and agree with you 100%.

    Could someone please give Tim an award or something? Maybe front page news will suffice him.

    Thanks JBo for your attempt to a solution…

  8. Matt Howard

    So the implication here Tim is that if you get a certain response from the ED and members of the board the lawsuit will go away?

    If so what are you looking for? Because Im still unsure?

    Or is this a collision course no matter what?

    To answer your question, Pat has a habit of handing her opponents more ammo, so you probably wont get what you want.

  9. Tired

    Tim writes:
    I am going ahead with our suit against URTV.

    Who exactly is included in “our”?

    Do you want your membership dues returned?

    I forgot…. You all aren’t even MEMBERS!!!!

    Tim, you really do deserve an award.

  10. glolady writes: “Could someone please give Tim an award or something? Maybe front page news will suffice him.”

    I guess this comment is meant to be a personal insult. This is part of a pattern of insulting and belittling personal attacks. They are called ‘ad hominem’ arguments and are invalid. You address the person rather than the argument. Do you understand that this achieves nothing. It does not refute any points or add any information to the conversation. It is an indication that you have run out of arguments and nothing left to offer but irrational emotional lashing out.

    I ask you: What are the chances that the URTV board will obey the law?

    If you’re answer to this question is to attack me personally again, don’t bother responding.

  11. Matt writes: “So the implication here Tim is that if you get a certain response from the ED and members of the board the lawsuit will go away?”

    That is hard to say. URTV already stands in violation of the law and is subject to action regardless of what occurs in the future.

    I would prefer to see URTV survive the current board and ED. I think this is entirely achievable without litigation.

    The question before us now is that of immunity.

  12. OH Timmy… so sorry that everything I say offends you!!!

    It is your choice in how you take my words that speak of what I see.

    You would kill the dog to get the last flea.

  13. I am going to the Producers Party tonight at URTV!

    We can unite and show everyone our Asheville.

    What a reality show.. good triumphs over evil…LOL

  14. Tired

    Tim, this is not a personal insult. This is a questioning of your statements.

    How do you feel it is appropriate for you to judge what happens at URTV? No one voted you to oversee the organization. You want the job? Then volunteer for the open board position. Or would you just rather bitch about everything on these threads and not actually do anything positive?

    You wrote:

    I would prefer to see URTV survive the current board and ED. I think this is entirely achievable without litigation.

    Who asked you? You and others here have been wanting to “overthrow” everyone invloved at URTV that you all don’t approve of.
    Now you are actually threatening litigation.
    What on earth would you sue for? If you step back and actually read what you are writing, I would hope you would see the complete insanity of your statements.

    You are not a member of our organization.
    We don’t care what you would prefer.
    I am sure you’re loving all the attention you are getting here, but the attention is all negative. Does it really make you feel good?
    Think about it…

  15. BS_detector

    On her show Sunday night Glolady talked about how she scared people because of her prediction of the burst in the housing bubble down in Fla in 2007…here’s what Jay Leno says about “psychics”

    Here’s something to think about: How come you never see a headline like ‘Psychic Wins Lottery’?
    – Jay Leno

  16. ‘Tired’ attempts to impugn my character and tell me that I, a member of the public, have no business interfering with the activities of a public access station, which is established to serve the public interest, while ignoring a pattern of flagrant violations of the law on the part of URTV.

    By the way, how is that board coming along these days? Any word on the next meeting?

  17. Tired

    Tim,
    Once again I am not “impugning your character”(’cause I sure don’t want you to file a lawsuit against me as well!)

    I am asking you as an obviously concerned member of the “public” regarding URTV to put up or
    SHUT UP!
    Go join the board and do something positive to support URTV.
    Or… quit whining and bitching about how URTV isn’t run to your expectations.
    You have been complaining in one way or another about things going on at URTV since 2006, before Pat even got to Asheville.
    Enough already.

  18. “do something positive to support URTV”

    That is what I have been doing all along. Only you missed it. And still do.

    Oh, and I won’t be shutting up any time soon.

    See you Thurs.

  19. Troy

    what is..is and thats what is going to happen..there is nothing anyone can say to really affect what will only happen.two ends of polarity to a unified spectrum…all is used for the only cause steady as she goes xoxo…u r the answer (or problem)speculated-(Richard Bernier, Davyae Dial, John Blackwell, Candy Thomas) called out!!

  20. Evil

    we are mirrors reflecting what we tell ourselves…if we argur for limitation we will surly have them…back at cha’

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