Like most people in our community I have limited choice in selecting a pay TV service. There is Cablevision and satellite TV (Dish, Direct TV). Unfortunately because of the vast number of trees that make our community so beautiful, satellite is not an option for many of us due to line-of-sight issues. That leaves us with Cablevision.

Cable operators must have franchise agreements with the local communities they serve. Recently I learned that Verizon, that finished running fiber optic cable through most of our community this past summer, filed a bid to provide TV service to Manhasset. That bid was denied by the Great Neck/ North Shore Cable Commission.

I had never heard of the Great Neck/ North Shore Cable Commission prior to my search for an alternative to Cablevision. The Great Neck/ North Shore Cable Commission represents the incorporated villages of Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Saddle Rock, Russell Gardens, Thomaston, Plandome Manor, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Munsey Park, North Hills and Flower Hill. They are our advocates in negotiating franchise agreements with the cable operators.

Verizon submitted a franchise bid for their FIOSTV service that was not approved by The Great Neck/ North Shore Cable Commission because it lacked certain Public Access TV aspects. I realize the importance of Public Access TV and the monetary significance of the franchise agreement to the community. I'm hoping the commission realizes the importance of providing a competitor to Cablevision which currently has a stranglehold on the cable service of Manhasset. With cable TV prices spiraling out of control, the commission's mandate should be to provide Manhasset residents with as many alternatives as possible to foster healthy competition. Verizon's FIOSTV represents an opportunity for the commission to take a bold step in offering choice for the community. As our advocates, I'm counting on the board to come to terms with Verizon as quickly as possible.

Here is a link where you can find out more about The Great Neck/ North Shore Cable Commission http://www.patc.info/cablecommission.html. I urge the residents to contact their local commissioner and express their desire for choice in selecting a cable TV provider.

Dino Moshova

Munsey Park