March 28, 2024

Seekonk Cable Board Criticized

Posted

The Board of Directors for local access channel TV9 has come under fire for not publicizing their annual elections.

“The board is still going to elect itself,” said Peter Hoogerzeil, a former board member who now serves as town moderator.  oogerzeil voiced his concerns to the Seekonk Board of Selectmen at their December 4 meeting. Hoogerzeil did not get any information about the date of the elections from either Mitch Vieira, the President of the Board, or from Russell Hart, Vice-President of the Board.

Neither Vieira or Hart would comment to the Seekonk Reporter on the matter. “They’re going to continue to keep the elections closed because I think they want to keep the status quo,” Hoogerzeil told Selectmen. “My whole concern is the (Comcast) subscribers should be deciding who’s on that Board of Directors, not the Board of Directors.”

Hoogerzeil said there was nothing on the TV9 website about nominations for the Board. Selectman Nelson Almeida read an e-mail from the TV9 Board of Directors which said their election process was unchanged and they welcomed new members. The e-mail was in response to the Selectmen’s inquiry about the elections. “It sounds like they voted to keep it a closed election,” said Selectman Justin Sullivan. “I think the process seems to lack transparency right now. That’s concerning to me.”

Town administrator Shawn Cadime said the Selectmen have no authority over the TV9 Board of Directors. Cadime noted TV9 had provided financial statements to the Selectmen which had been requested.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town