This letter is to express appreciation for cable TV 8 Manager Allen Markowski. Recently people have told me how pleased they are to have viewed fascinating programming on our local PEG (stands for public, education, government) Channel. They have especially enjoyed watching the history of Lake County as seen through the eyes of local Native American historians. The film is called “Hinthel Gaahnula,” translated as “Indian Speaks.” We have Allen Markowski to thank for volunteering his time, expertise and enthusiasm for the past several months as station manager.

Recently Allen ran a wire from the broadcasting cubicle of Clearlake City Hall to the Clearlake City Hall Chambers. He then broadcast live the Clearlake City Council meeting of June 12. Allen was eager to help those who were not able to attend the City Council view the public meeting. He felt this program to be in harmony with the report of the Clearlake Vision Task Force pp. 17, 18, 21 and 22, a report endorsed by the city council in 2007. It can be found online at http://theclearlakevisiontaskforce.wikispaces.com/Report. Refer to headings of Education and Services for Seniors or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The report cites requests from the public for live broadcasting of city and county meetings. Allen also followed the members manual of the PEG Committee, which is currently a work in progress to guide his broadcasting decisions. This document may be viewed at http://laketv8.wikispaces.com/Members+Manual.

Allen extends his apologies to anyone whom he surprised by filming of this public meeting and now realizes how important it is to warn anyone present that their words and actions are being recorded and broadcast live. He assures citizens that he will follow the new proper protocol in accordance with the PEG Channel 8 Policies and Procedures Manual as well as instate ways to mute anyone who would use profanity at a public meeting. I am certain that our Clearlake City Council and the PEG Board will find positive ways to assure that as many citizens of Clearlake as possible be able to become fully informed of their city’s business through the avenue of live broadcast.

For anyone interested in becoming active in TV 8 and its local broadcasts please attend both PEG Board and PEG Committee meetings. Regular PEG Board meetings are open to the public and are held each third Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the El Grande Hotel. Regular PEG Committee meetings are held each first Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Clearlake City Hall Chambers.

For more information, contact Barbara Christwitz, member of PEG Committee, 995-0940.

Barbara Christwitz lives in Clearlake.

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