[July 22, 2009] Comcast forum draws fewer people: About a dozen residents show up for latest public meeting Tweet PEORIA, Jul 22, 2009 (Journal Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Comcast and city officials say efforts by the cable TV giant to improve service and address complaints in Peoria have begun to show a clearer picture. A public forum that filled City Council chambers less than six months ago garnered only about a dozen residents on Tuesday, many of whom asked technical questions. Both public hearings come as the city looks into a longer-term extension of its cable TV franchise agreement, which expires July 30. John Niebur, a district director for Comcast's Peoria market, said the cable provider increased service hours, cut time periods technicians could be scheduled to a two-hour window and created new channel packages customers can choose since February. "We've tried to be sensitive to customers' needs; customers don't want to be nickel and dimed," Niebur said, later noting service and complaint calls have decreased greatly since April, something he attributed to Comcast's "proactive" approach. But among those who showed up Tuesday, Tom Thomassen of Peoria said he is paying more for fewer channels, referring to Comcast switching some of its channels to the digital tier, adding, "Who knows six months from now?" His wife, Maggie Thomassen, was concerned about St. Louis Cardinals games being blocked and whether that would continue. Others were curious why the same television shows are played over and over or concerned that their cable-provided phone service intermittently causes their alarm system to be disarmed. Lynn Scott Pearson questioned whether there is a local phone number Peoria residents can call for service. Responding, Niebur said no additional channels have been moved to the digital lineup and there are no plans to do so, but said it could happen again, noting it allows them to add channels and remain competitive with satellite providers. Niebur also said Comcast added two additional service technicians and three to four customer service representatives -- now totaling 45 -- in Peoria, but calls could be fielded by any of the offices in Illinois. City officials have requested city staff make the franchise agreement more stringent and hold the company more accountable for customer service-related concerns. Comcast's relationship with Peoria and the services the cable TV operator has provided in the past year has become a heated issue at City Hall. Several Comcast customers spoke out against the company in February, citing problems with the company's billing practices, customer service and the quality of channels. The current franchise agreement allows the city to get about $1 million annually in fees, City Attorney Randy Ray has said. The revenue goes into the city's general fund to pay for basic city services such as fire, police, etc. A vote on an agreement could come at the Aug. 25 City Council meeting. Dave Haney can be reached at 686-3181 or [email protected]. To see more of the Journal Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pjstar.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Journal Star, Peoria, Ill. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]