If you live in Biddeford or in areas near the city, you have a great way to find out about what is going on in Biddeford city government. That is because of Biddeford’s Public Access Television Channel 3 programs on local government. Letting people know how the wheels turn is truly democracy in action.
Programs include involve live TV broadcasting of finance committee, planning board and city council meetings, as well as capital project discussions for the city. They cover school board meetings, city budget committee workshops, and policy committee and airport commission meetings. These public TV shows enable our citizens to understand the workings of our city government.
TV Channel 3 brings the city meetings to everyone who wants to watch them. The station should be strongly supported by our city officials for the outstanding work that is being done for our community.
On its website, Channel 3 says that it is “a cable station for the people, by the people, dedicated to the idea that everyone should have a voice.” So, in addition to bringing local government activities to everyone, the station also helps residents to get to know some of the people who live and work here a little bit better.
The station hosts interesting programs like “Zaffie,” featuring Journal columnist Zaffie Hadiaris and the “Business Today” show, which I host. There are also shows on Southern Maine Energy Conservation efforts, the Maine Forum and local citizen stories that provide information on what is happening in the city.
Shows include interviews with small and large businesses of all kinds, political leaders and local entrepreneurs. People who watch the shows can learn where services are provided, how to find local sources of supply and services, and how to contact service providers. These public TV shows support local merchants on the sale of their services and products.
Biddeford Public Access TV presentations on Channel 3 do not cost either persons viewing nor representatives of businesses being interviewed fees or charges, as everything is done on a pro-bono basis. The result is a free service for cable subscribers. At the same time, the programs help citizens know what their government is doing, and what services are available in our community.
The programs also help us get to know our neighbors, and to learn interesting things that can help us to live more enriching lives.
To get an idea of the typical Tuesday programming in June, it starts at 1 a.m. showing a school committee meeting; 3 a.m. Business Today; 6 a.m. Get Fit with Lisa; 7 a.m. Wandering Road; 8 a.m. Producers Showcase; 9:15 a.m. All About The Dogs; 10 a.m. Horse Tails; 11 a.m. Toni Time; noon School committee; 2 p.m. La Kermesse Parade; 3 p.m. Ashley; 6 and 7 p.m. Our Town; 8 p.m. Out in Left Field; and 10 p.m. Issues That Matter.
The Business Today show has had restaurant owners talk about the foods they serve, local bakeries exhibit special cakes and pastries, and local business leaders talk about their accounting, photography and manufacturing businesses. Several mayors of both Biddeford and Saco have been interviewed, as have governors of Maine, state senators and representatives and just recently, U.S. Sen. Angus King.
During our interview with Steve Pulos, manager of the TV Channel 3 Station, we learned that many days he starts work at 4:30 a.m. in the studio and finishes his work at 4:30 p.m. That is a real commitment to the success of the station. His assistant, also named Steve, puts in regular full-time working hours. They are both hard workers on behalf of the city. Occasionally, a part-time worker is employed when the schedule gets full in order to help out on taping and office duties when necessary.
TV Channel 3 is also supported by volunteers. Students come from local high schools to help. Some retired men and women also help out as volunteers with programming tasks such as setting up equipment or learning to work the TV control monitors in the office. Volunteers are welcome to stop by the studios at 14 Pool St. in Biddeford.
Biddeford is fortunate to have a Public Access TV station. Channel 3 serves the citizens of the city and its surrounding communities. The station’s programs are good for our citizens, good for our businesses, and truly serve residents’ needs.
— Bernard Featherman is a business columnist for the Journal Tribune and former president of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce.
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