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May 25, 2011

Letter: Cleanup should start at Beverly City Hall

To the editor:

What has happened to the city of Beverly?

A few weeks ago I read that the city would be taking away trash bins from Lynch Park to save money. Today, I read that city councilors voted to keep the $100 annual trash fee.

Here's an idea: Instead of penalizing visitors to Lynch Park, how about using the money from the trash fee to put new recycling bins next to trash bins. You will be surprised with how much space is left in a trash bin when plastic bottles or other large plastic containers are removed.

Now onto the "cable commission."

I read earlier this week that the city is negotiating a new cable deal with Comcast. However, the franchise fee that would pay for three local access stations would be covered by guess who — the cable subscribers of Beverly!

Then I read that a representative from Verizon wants to create competition by having more than one cable company in the city. (Which cable subscribers would benefit by in the form of reduced rates, better deals, etc.)

I was saddened to read that the city councilors voted in majority against a bill that would increase competition in the state, citing that it would not benefit local access stations.

First of all, why does Beverly need three local access stations? I don't see any problem with keeping the number of stations at two.

Second, the city councilors are doing a disservice to their constituents by not allowing competition. They are not giving citizens the right to choose what cable service they want. Competition in a market like this only benefits the consumer, but the City Council would rather tax the citizens of Beverly.

Why not contact other cities and towns that have both Verizon and Comcast to see the benefits of having two cable companies in one city?

I personally believe the citizens of Beverly deserve better from their elected officials. If the mayor and the City Council continue on this trend, Beverly residents might be wise to put off spring cleaning until the end of the year and start at City Hall. It is an election year, after all.

Michael A. Piraino

Beverly

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