In my Friday commentary, I told you about how the FCC wants to ban analog television broadcasting on December 31, 2006, which is less than six years from now. I said that banning analog so soon was a bad idea because of adverse economic and environmental impact. I asked that you contact your federal and local government officials, to encourage them to get the FCC to postpone or eliminate the policy.
I wasted no time in contacting them, myself.
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On Saturday, my hometown village president, Elliott Hartstein, held an informal public forum for Buffalo Grove residents to bring to his attention issues affecting the village that are of concern to residents. Trustee Charles Johnson also attended in behalf of the village. That's President Hartstein on the left and Trustee Johnson on the right in this photo from the forum. I brought the TV issue to their attention, and asked that the village join me in opposing the proposed 2006 ban. The particular local angle is the environmental issue. Buffalo Grove and much of the Chicago area has a shortage of landfill capacity. The last thing we need is to be dumping, literally and prematurely, huge quantities of perfectly serviceable television equipment. Hartstein indicated that my concern had merit, but that Buffalo Grove, acting alone, could not do much. I suggested that Buffalo Grove take the matter to the Northwest Municipal Conference, which is an association of many Chicago suburbs, and encourage the members of the conference to similarly support my proposal. Hartstein, well known for being an advocate of good government, said that he would look into generating support for my proposal.
Also on Saturday, my state representative, Carolyn Krause, held an open house for constituents to bring to her attention any issues affecting either the State of Illinois or our district that are of concern to residents. That's Representative Krause standing in the foreground of this photo from the open house. I brought the same issue to her attention, asking that she seek the support of the Illinois General Assembly in opposing the early ban on analog broadcasting. Rep. Krause, also highly regarded for her good government policies, said that the issue had merit and asked that I follow up our conversation with a letter, so that she could have the details with which to pursue the issue. I've now sent her that letter.
Today, I sent a letter to the offices of my Congressman, Mark Kirk, and to my two United States Senators, Dick Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald, encouraging Congress to intervene.
I again ask you to do the same. Ask your local and national government
representatives to oppose the plan to ban analog television broadcasting on
December 31, 2006. If enough citizens and government officials express
opposition to the ban, the FCC may cave in and reverse its policy, but if it's
just Rob Sherman asking, yet again, then nothing will happen.
Rob Sherman P. O. Box
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