Biddeford Public Access should be saved

The Biddeford City Council is discussing either closing our wonderful Biddeford Access Television Station or cutting the staff even more. The council appears to lean toward a station staffed only by volunteers. This would be a risky, ineffective and probably costly move.

Biddeford Access has always welcomed volunteers. However, as a ship needs a trained and dedicated captain with a steady hand on the wheel, a television station demands a creative and effective administrator.

Biddeford Access and our Channel 3 station takes two people to run. Manager Steve Pulos is a professional videographer who has worked behind the camera his entire professional life, including time in Hollywood and working with Dick Van Dyke. In the business world this man could make four times, what he makes at the studio, but he loves the creative side and gets great satisfaction in making a contribution to our city and helping the other show producers make a difference in Biddeford through our shows.

Steve’s own shows have included “You Have to Love Bears,” “Maine’s Magnificent Moose,” “Nature at Peace” and “Seabirds of Baxter State Park.” While our costly equipment is no longer state of the art, Steve knows how to make everything work and produce a good product, and does so every day.

Steve D. backs up Steve P, making all things run like the proverbial well-oiled machine, meeting and greeting guests and making them comfortable. He programs the shows we see each day and interacts with City Hall. Did you know that for many years, the City Council has taped meetings and events so the public can know and understand what is going on in our city?

Everyone else that produces a show at Biddeford Access is a volunteer. Because with the aid of the two Steves, we make a difference. One of the best educational gifts that Biddeford offers to it residents is Biddeford Access. We have well over 150 producers. Bob Picone won an award for his show “Issues That Matter”!

Steve Pulos and the “Toni Time” show recently went on location to Stone Soup Kitchen to do a show about all the wonderful things Stone Soup is doing to help families get back on their feet. We all know and love the “Awesome Ashley Show!” Last year, Channel 3 had to make budget cuts. Ashley was one of them. Her fans held a benefit in her honor to raise money so she could continue to do her weekly show.

Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett had the perfect idea to help us, but the City Council was not in favor of Jim’s idea, although it is simple.

The City Hall website says of Biddeford Access “A Cable Station for the people, by the people. Dedicated to the idea that everyone should have a voice.” Hearing from our own citizens about things that matter to them, that make a difference to Biddeford, is a gift to us. Our many voices enrich our audience’s understanding and their lives.

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