Cable commission to discuss franchise report

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Sep 30, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Verizon representative David S. Valdez, who called the Sept. 15 hearing “an extremely professional, courteous, passionate exchange of ideas,” said he’s ready for the process to move to the next step.

However, he says he’s concerned about the commission’s insistence on what he calls a “unilateral” provision to review the proposed 15-year contract’s terms after five years.

“We have 1,100 other agreements,” he said, “and none of them have those provisions.”

Thomas said the provision is simply a way for jurisdictions to make course corrections after several years of a franchise agreement.

“Jurisdictions need a way to be able to fix things,” he said. “Over the life of 10 years, if something breaks, there ought to be a way to fix it.”

Valdez says he believes Verizon and the commission are on the same page on many issues, including customer service standards. Regardless, he hopes the franchise document and Thursday’s meeting move the 18-month negotiation process ahead.

“We’re saying, just issue the recommendation, whatever that may be,” Valdez said of the commission’s role. “That will move the process forward.”

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