Cable agreement expected to pass
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Some Chesterfield supervisors may not like the agreement the county has negotiated with Cavalier Telephone and TV, but it is expected to pass next week because the county's hands are tied by both the state and federal governments.

During last month's board meeting, Vice Chairman Kelly Miller quizzed County Attorney Steve Micas about how much negotiating can actually occur. Micas' answer: not much.

Miller asked whether the county could limit the rates charged by Cavalier. "No," replied Micas.

Miller also wanted to control sexually explicit programming. Federal law prohibits that, responded Micas.

"That's the craziest thing I've ever heard," said Miller. He called the objectionable programming "naked people doing strange things."

According to several national news reports, cable and satellite programming are the leading purveyors of sexually explicit content nationwide. Besides the programming beamed directly into subscribing homes, the major hotel chains also make it available for their guests.

Matoaca Supervisor Renny Humphrey wanted Cavalier to provide service to her largely rural district, but County Administrator Lane Ramsey said the fiber optic service that would make that possible is not available. Cavalier wants to serve the largest possible area, he explained, but the ability to provide the service using Verizon's lines is not technically feasible.

Most of Cavalier's service area is adjacent to the Richmond city line. Telephone giant Verizon is currently laying fiber optic cable in Chesterfield and is expected to seek county approval for cable service next year.

Cavalier proposed paying the county a 6.5 percent franchise fee of gross revenues while Comcast pays 5 percent. Micas said the state cable agreement that went into effect in July could force Chesterfield to carry Cavalier service even without a cable agreement.