I am a trustee of the Village of Munsey Park and its representative to the Great Neck/North Shore Cable Commission. I am writing in response to a letter that appeared in last week's letters to the editor. Since this letter was originally addressed to me, I am giving below my response which was sent to the writer.

The Great Neck/Northshore Cable Commission has been authorized to negotiate the cable TV franchises by the nine Great Neck and six North Shore (Manhasset) incorporated villages. The GN/NCC has been negotiating with the Cablevision Company for over three years. This has been a difficult negotiation since Cablevision wants us to give up some of the benefits that we have had for many years when they were originally granted to the villages when Cox Cable had the franchises. However Cablevision does not want to give any other benefits in return. In the meantime, the existing franchises are continuing under a 'temporary operating authority' granted by the NY Public Service Commission. It is important to note that the franchises have no control over the rates charged by cable TV providers.

Since the start of the negotiations with Cablevision, Verizon has come upon the scene announcing that it wishes to provide cable TV services nationwide. It is true that they have submitted a proposed franchise agreement to the Cable Commission. Verizon has required us to keep their offering confidential. Suffice it to say that the proposed agreement is a 'bare bones' offering that the commission finds unsatisfactory. Part of the problem is that according to law, the franchisors must provide a 'level playing field' for all cable TV providers so that none has a competitive advantage because of the terms of the franchise. That is, we must require the same or equivalent benefits of all providers. Because of the nature of the benefits we derive from the Cablevision franchise, this is difficult.

Let me point out that so far, across the entire country, Verizon has been granted only one franchise (in Texas) and another has either been granted or is about to be granted (in Massapequa Park).

As regards to the recent community meeting held by the commission, let me say that there was an announcement of this meeting on the PATV website. I am copying the announcement here.

"The Great Neck/North Shore Cable Commission is holding a Public Meeting for our community at the Village of North Hills, 1 Shelter Rock Rd., Roslyn on Tuesday Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The GN/NS 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. Alice Fishman, chair of the Great Neck/North Shore Cable Commission and A. Thomas Levin, Esq. will address the audience on the recent status of cable negotiations and cable competition. Also, Norman Hall, president of the PATV Board of Directors and Shirley Ann Bruno, PATV executive director will discuss programming and future plans for PATV. There will be an opportunity for the audience to view a sample of PATV's programs, ask questions and describe their involvement with the organization."

While I didn't personally see notices of this meeting in the local papers, one did appear in the Manhasset Press. There were over 30 persons in attendance.

Also, the website lists the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the Commission members.

I hope this letter answers many of your questions.

Peter G. Puttre