Repost – Will Hesperia Stop Crony Capitalism Or Work with Nonprofit CYAP?

The Hesperia City Council on Tuesday, 1-21-2014, delayed a vote until next month in reference to the funding of a possible project to the tune of $36,000 and counting. CYAP (Community Youth Athletic/ Academic Program), a local High Desert Non-Profit, is attempting to establish a public access television channel which will feature local government along with original programming.

Details from the meeting revealed the Water District of Hesperia owns a commercial property on Main Street by the name of Eagle Plaza, which has a going lease rate of $1.00 per sf. CYAP has interest in two units within the Eagle Plaza complex. The annual lease payment could range as high as $36,000 per year. The Non-Profit is requesting a reduced lease payment or have the city donate the units at zero cost annually.

If the allowance is granted, this would set taxpayers back 36K just for starters. In addition CYAP has petitioned city staff to aid the non-profit in the establishment and creation of the channel. Interestingly if the City of Hesperia has the office space and will facilitate the start of this channel, why does it need CYAP?

Why not have a fully sponsored City Channel so local residents, schools and Non-profits can utilize the facilities to highlight events within the City? I think Taxpayers would or may consider the venture if it was operated by the city and staffed by local volunteers.

DRAWBACK:

Unfortunately one reason why cities are not so eager to embark on this sort of venture, is due to the capital losses cable stations are experiencing in the region. Charter Cable in the HD for example, eliminated their public access television channel years ago and is currently offering paid programming only on Channel 3 in Hesperia.

The Press Enterprise reported Moreno Valley Community College on Dec 1, pulled the funding on its public access television channel KRCC Channel 17 due to the lack of programming, viewership and funds. So why would the City of Hesperia potentially leverage taxpayer funds in a 100 percent non-profitable venture with CYAP when residents can’t even obtain required City services?

The Local Newspaper initially ran with a story referencing the councils’ agenda and then followed-up with a feature article highlighting CYAP, in an attempt to sway the public’s opinion on this issue. Vote.29.com last week ran with a story titled Local Media in Bed with Local City and Town Government; can we say the same for the Victor Valley?

– Written by Newscaller.com Staff, this article was originally published at newscaller.com.

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Watch video commentary regarding the above topic from James Roberts’ the Truth Teller Show at newscaller.com. The video is located at the bottom of the article.

Download the Hesperia City Council agenda from its Jan. 21 meeting at
hesperia.legistar.com/View. Note: this document automatically downloads to your computer.

For more information about the Community Youth Athletic/ Academic Program (CYAP), visit their Facebook page at facebook.com.