Here is my most recent letter to Charter and my responses. I respect the ongoing discussion, but I want action. I want results.
- Because we value the public’s right to oversee the job we do, public channel locations should hold an easily accessible location as required by our current contract.
- Charter has turned digital boxes from a service delivery tool into a profit center. Our citizens should be able to purchase boxes at a reasonable price and not face monthly fees for cards or HD.
- 1/3 of our kids in school receive free or reduced lunch. None of those families can afford the $55 per month for basic unbundled broadband access. Regardless of income broadband is vital for all people looking to find a job, receive education, apply for assistance, or just exist in a modern society. Broadband is a critical need, not unlike water, sanitation, or energy.
- The citizens of Rochester deserve better service. I expect our next franchise agreement will set standards for customer service addressing wait times and clear communication of rates and charges.
- Rochester citizens deserve clear transparent pricing. The deal that a person threatening to leave Charter receives should not be different from a widowed senior who is not comfortable bargaining with trained sales people.
- In order to maintain leverage and prevent future abuses we must limit franchise agreements to 1 year.
- We must minimize hurdles for companies wishing to do business in Rochester. We can allow businesses to serve smaller parts of the community, or create deals where we build a fiber backbone and lease capacity as an alternate means to enter the community.
- Your comments on the wages paid in Rochester do not live up to your promise to share how many jobs pay a living wage. Your starting wage of $11.50 is not a living wage which in Rochester is closer to $13.50 to $14 per hour. The information shared fails to live up to the commitment to share how many of Charter’s jobs in Rochester pay a living wage.
- At this point promises of change remain just empty promises.