NATOA Applauds Action of FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee

NATOA wishes to express its appreciation to the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) for joining the voices of numerous local governments and municipal associations in calling for CTIA’s tower siting petition to be denied.  The IAC, like NATOA and so many others, recognizes zoning as a local concern and the explicit protection of local zoning control by the 1996 Telecommunications Act.  The full text of the IAC’s comments can be found here.  NATOA thanks the IAC for standing up for local governments and the vital role zoning plays in our communities.

NATOA Honors 2008 Government Programming Awards

Atlanta, GA - (September 20, 2008) – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) recognized the winners of the 23^rd Annual Government Programming Awards (GPA) during a gala event at The Hilton Atlanta.  The awards program honors excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies.  This year, NATOA received more than 1,200 entries submitted by local governments in more than 30 states across the country and Canada. 

“This year’s GPA winners demonstrate excellence in local government agency programming and have truly raised the bar for not only meeting but exceeding community needs,” commented NATOA President Doris Boris.  “We congratulate these members for their innovation and commitment to quality programming and are thrilled to honor and celebrate their achievements.” 

Entries in the 64 categories cover a variety of programming including, among others, community events, documentary, public affairs and public service, interview/talk show, performing arts, sports, election coverage and children’ s issues.  Among the awards with special significance are the “Excellent in Government Programming” awards which are judged on the agency’s variety of programming quality throughout the year.  This year’s Excellence awards were presented to four outstanding NATOA communities, including:

• “KCCB Channel 8” City and County of Broomfield, CO the winner out of four entries for jurisdictions with operating budgets under $100,000
• “Allen City Television – ACTV” City of Allen, TX the winner out of twenty-one entries for jurisdictions with operating budgets of $100,001 to $250,000
• “Aurora 8 Programming” City of Aurora, CO the winner out of fifteen entries for jurisdictions with operating budgets of $250,001 to $500,000
• The SEATTLE CHANNEL” Seattle, WA the winner out of seventeen entries for jurisdictions with operating budgets over $500,000

A complete list of the 2008 NATOA Government Programming Awards winners is available here.

NATOA Announces Recipients of Community Broadband Awards for Outstanding Endeavors to Bring Broadband to More Communities and Consumers

Atlanta, GA – September 18, 2008 – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Board of Directors announced the recipients of NATOA’s 2008 Community Broadband Awards during the Opening General Session of its 28th Annual Conference today.  These honors are awarded to exceptional leaders and innovative programs that champion community interests and broadband deployment in local communities nationwide.

“NATOA’s Community Broadband Awards proudly recognize the people, communities, and organizations that lead the nation in promoting community interests through broadband projects,” said NATOA Executive Director Libby Beaty. 

The award recipients were chosen based on their extraordinary efforts, achievements, and innovation in community-based approaches to broadband. These individuals, organizations, and communities have distinguished themselves in the effort to ensure that more American communities and citizens benefit from new technology.

“Our honorees are leading the way toward America’s broadband future,” said NATOA’s President, Doris J. Boris. “They are involved in planning and deploying communications networks for government and public use, and in articulating the need for a national broadband strategy to ensure the economic competitiveness and well-being of our nation and of our communities in the 21^st century.  Our honorees have distinguished themselves by answering the need for a public role in broadband development in partnership with the private sector.”  

The 2008 Community Broadband Award recipients are:

Community Broadband Hero of the Year

Mayor Joey Durel of Lafayette, Louisiana — for championing the need for robust, competitive communications services in his community; for championing the cause of local decision-making in communications; and for leading his community to counter efforts to thwart local communications initiatives.

Community Broadband Visionary of the Year

Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle — for recognizing the importance of fiber optics to economic and community development, and for taking steps to secure the benefits of fiber for his constituents.  Seattle has engaged in a multi-year process to determine how to best meet its citizens’ and businesses’ needs for communications, and Mayor Nickels has announced his intention to release an RFP for a private sector fiber partner later this year.

Community Broadband Wireless Project of the Year 

WirelessMinneapolis — City of Minneapolis, for development of a wireless infrastructure for public and government use, and for exhibiting the capability of local communities to encourage and facilitate wireless communications projects. 

Community Broadband Fiber Project of the Year

Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA) — for persevering in development of an open, fiber-optic infrastructure for the residents and businesses of 16 member communities in Utah, and for demonstrating the capability of local communities to encourage and facilitate fiber communications projects.  

Community Network of the Year

Prince George’s County Institutional Fiber-Optic Network (I-Net)— for connecting the County, more than 20 municipalities, numerous schools, and first responders over fiber optics; for serving government and educational needs over the network; and for demonstrating how communications technology can enhance government services, save on government expenditures, and save energy.

Community Broadband Organization of the Year

AARP — for recognizing the importance of communications services and infrastructure to meet the healthcare, connectivity, and quality of life needs of its members and of all Americans.

For more information on the award recipients, the NATOA Community Broadband Awards, and NATOA’s efforts to bring about a national broadband strategy that recognizes the vital and integral role of local governments, visit www.natoa.org or contact NATOA’s Executive Director, Libby Beaty, at the number above.

 NATOA promotes community interests in communications.  A national trade association based in Alexandria, VA, NATOA represents local government jurisdictions and consortiums, including elected and appointed officials and staff, who oversee communications and cable television franchising.

Advisor to Presidential Candidate Barack Obama to Provide Keynote Remarks to Local Government Conference

Atlanta, GA – September 18, 2008 –John Nakahata, Advisor on technology and telecommunications issues for the Presidential Campaign of Senator Barack Obama, will provide keynote remarks at NATOA’s 28^th Annual Local Government Conference in Atlanta, GA.  Mr. Nakahata is scheduled to speak on Saturday, September 20 during NATOA’s keynote luncheon session.

“We are pleased that the Senator responded to our request for the Presidential Campaign to provide a representative to address critical communications issues facing our nation today,” noted NATOA’s President Doris Boris.  NATOA’s Annual Conference represents a unique opportunity to address local officials and professional staff from across the nation responsible for the communications services in their communities.

 

NATOA promotes community interests in communications.  A national trade association based in Alexandria, VA, NATOA represents local government jurisdictions and consortiums, including elected and appointed officials and staff, who oversee communications and cable television franchising.

NATOA ANNOUNCES EXPERT PANEL ON USE OF NEW MEDIA FOR FRIDAY GENERAL SESSION AT UPCOMING ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Alexandria, VA - (September 12, 2008) – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) announces a panel of industry trailblazers and thought leaders for its PEG 2.0 general session taking place at the 28^th Annual Conference:  Putting the Public Interest Back into Communications.  The conference is being held at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel next week in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Friday, September 19^th General Session: PEG 2.0: What Does Local Programming Look Like in the Era of YouTube, Second Life and MySpace? will be moderated by Jennifer McKinney, Tucson 12, City of Tucson, AZ and present views from a variety of new media visionaries including: Joaquin Alvarado, Next Generation Internet, University of San Francisco; Roxie Merritt, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs; Barrett Fox, COCO Studios; and Mike Musgrove, Washington Post.  Click here for full release.