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Cable rates rising
Published Tuesday, April 28, 2009
NATCHEZ — CableOne is raising its rates in June, and the average customer is expected to see a 4.8 percent increase.
Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields, who chairs utilities, made the announcement Tuesday at the regularly scheduled Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting.
Fields said all CableOne customers will receive a notice with their bill for the month of May.
CableOne Manager Bobby McCool could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
In other business at the board meeting, residents from Buckner’s Alley and Wall Street shared stories of drainage issues and asked the board of aldermen to finish a project that was brought to the city’s attention nine years ago.
At a recent board of aldermen work session, City Engineer David Gardner said there was not enough money to complete the North Natchez Drainage Project at its highest point — Buckner’s Alley and Wall Street.
The project is an overhaul of the drainage system on the north end of town, and it began at the water’s collection point — Canal Street.
Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, who represents the area, said residents of these two streets and surrounding areas have experienced high waters during heavy rains.
Jim Battieste, a Buckner’s Alley resident, said it was time for the talking to stop and the action begin.
“We talk and talk, and it goes on deaf ears,” he said. “We can’t keep begging and begging and nothing happens. My house is 150 years old — it’s not an antebellum (mansion) — but I love it.”
Other residents mentioned how flooding has caused soil erosion, flooded cars and flooded yards.
“When it rains it’s like a river,” Buckner’s Alley resident Audrey Jenkins said. “We really need help down there.”
And when the rain stops, the water pools in yards and streets, creating a mosquito hotbed, which is a health hazard, Buckner’s Alley resident Florene Evans said.
“There was one case of West Nile Virus reported in Adams County last year,” she said. “That was my son.
“Just give us some relief if you can.”
Mayor Jake Middleton pledged that he does, and will do, everything in his power to find the $3.5 million in funding needed to complete the project.
“Every time I get an opportunity, I speak on your behalf,” he said.
Mathis, who spoke of her frustration in trying to get the drainage overhauled, said she was ready to take drastic measures.
She made a motion that if the funding is not found within a year, the city borrow the money through a bond.
Middleton, along with aldermen Bob Pollard and Mark Fortenbery, said they were hesitant to accept that motion, since the board had not previously even considered a bond.
All the aldermen said they weren’t against Mathis’ idea but needed more time for consideration.
Alderman James “Ricky” Gray admitted that usually the city takes more time to deliberate, but something needs to be done soon.
“These are real people with real problems that need help,” he said.
Gray made the motion — which passed with only one dissenting vote from Mathis — to table the bond issue discussion until the board’s next meeting at 11 a.m. May 12.
Mathis invited all affected by the project to once more attend the next meeting.
“I’ve done all I can do tonight,” she said.
In other business:
4 Alfred Hunter, president of the Natchez branch of the NAACP, and other members read a statement about their “growing concern for the way elected officials have been treated.”
He said earlier this year, when several city officials — all white — traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby for money, the NAACP took offense to that.
Middleton said he did not mean to offend anyone by having only a white delegation travel to Washington, D.C.
4 City Engineer David Gardner requested the board voice approval for the $662,000 in stimulus funds from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the overlay of the central downtown business district.
The motion also carried that the board acknowledges the project will only cost $661,250, and if the bids are over that cost the city will pay 100 percent of the overage, or it can reject the project altogether. The motion was made and passed.
4 Natchez Convention Center Director Walter Tipton said the 10 events this month at the convention center has made it “the busiest month we’ve had since the facility was built.”
Comments
Posted by shagnasty (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad i got directv
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well now why would any one want to stay with cable?
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thank you joyce for keeping your mouth shut tonight, and you rickey for not texing during the meeting. again last meeting i wonder what that text was...
Posted by BenWyles (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well here we go again! I just wonder how many other customers contact these thieves the way I do every time they give themselves a raise while continuing their sorry ways. I always receive this beautifully worded reply explaining to me how dedicated they are to my satisfaction and promising to continue to strive toward the lofty goal of providing the best cable coverage around. PLEASE! I may have come in on a turnip wagon but I promise you I was holding the reins!
Posted by saintsfan (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HEHEHEHEHE Cable One is a joke Im sooo glad i switched to Dish..............
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ben..why do you stay with cable? i saw no reason. they don't have anything that direct tv has. nothing. why do you keep getting shafted by them?
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I left cable a long time ago and bought one of those giant dishes. Now with Directv. I love the lies they tell you when you call and say your picture on channel 12 (or whatever channel it is) is fuzzy and they tell you it's the signal from the station. IT'S A LIE!!!! That same channel on Directv is crystal clear. Leave them and get Dish Network or Directv. Either one is better. Just got my parents to switch to Directv. They are older and it was hard to convince them to change. Now they wish they had done it years ago. Cable customers---Next time there's a hurricane that comes our way, with a small generator I'll be watching Fox News and HBO in the a/c while cable customers will be wondering when they get cable back 2 weeks after power is cut back on.
www.directv.com 1-800-347-3288
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see - our cable rates are rising and the NAACP is unhappy with the way some of the elected officials are being treated - how dare they complain about one trip to Washington when the team of Mathis/Gray took a trip to Jackson. Also, why not get angry about the way David Gardner was treated? That was way worse than one trip.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And it is terrible that our rates are rising but we're getting less channels!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on April 29, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009...
What were the results of the executive session? Is David staying or going?
Posted by fsranger (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Folks, you gotta realize - it's costing more these days to get all these channels of reruns and commercials. How about going back to the good ole days - outside antenna and local stations? About the same quality programming. Better yet, how about NO TV? Something we all might consider. Might be a good thing.
Posted by veroniss (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.AIR FOR TIRES IS 75 CENTS.LOL.ALSO IT IS ASHAME WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD THAT KEEPS PUTTING EACH OTHERS COLOR TO THE TEST...WE ARE TIRED OF READING AND HEARING ABOUT IT.ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW NOT JUST WHITES OR BLACKS OR ANY COLOR.PEOPLE PERIOD.......GET READY FOR JESUS TO COME AND SOON....
Posted by bayou (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What ever you do don't get Directv. just got my first bill and it is tripple what they promised,no local channels, didn't bundle my plan,and the cables are laying on the ground. O and they finaly came out to install on the third time. I have spent hours on the phone with them and can get nothing done and i am locked into a two year contract and it will cost me $480.00 to get out of it! HELP! I can't afford this.
Posted by lost_in_kingston (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Run cable out to Kingston & I'll buy every service you offer & I'll not gripe about the price. The telephone lines out here are ancient and get wet when it rains. Not much cell phone signal here either.
Posted by sandyman7 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get ready for another raise soon,,,,Cause the amount of people leaving because of poor service and rising cable cost will mean that there "service" cost more!!!!!
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on April 29, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My question is which is better, DishNetwork or Directv? Also, I bundled cable and internet with CableOne so if I canceled my service, what are some suggestions on good Internet service? I have 4 months left in my contract with CableOne, so I hope they do not up my rates in June. I signed the contract saying for 6 months my services would be $33 each. I really don't want to pay more than that for them.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if their internet costs are going up, too?
I just don't get it...When it rains in Vidalia, my cable goes fuzzy, then just quits. It's a guarantee...when it rains, I lose internet connection. Why can't we protest this?
And...why the heck was McCool not at the meeting?
SHUT UP NAACP! JUST SHUT THE HECK UP! You get everything you want, then you want what's on everyone else plate, too. JUST SHUT THE HECK UP...FOR ONCE!
Posted by brock (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cableone your service sucks and your prices are too high . I'm glad I dumped them . People wise up this company is nothing but a price hog . They raise their prices yearly . Cableone your product sucks !
Posted by brock (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kpage It's not just Vidalia . I live in Natchez and half of their channels were fuzzy and of very poor quality . I'm glad I dropped them . Their service is not worth what you get from them , especially at their outrageous prices . Go DirectTV , heck you'll do better with a tall antenna . Cableone is a ripoff company !
Posted by bayougranny (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no idea why anyone would bundle there services with a company that can't keep there services up to date. I have AT&T internet (you do not have to have home phone service to have internet service) and I have Direct TV. NO problems at all. I can't ever remember being without internet even during storms. Vidalia is Johnny on the spot with power outages and AT&T has local linemen here so no long wait for them either. Direct TV was my choice but my neighbor has DISH they are equal in quality of reception & programming.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bayou, sorry for your troubles, as your issue is a unique one and not at all the experience of most satellite customers. I can tell you, I much better enjoy my DirecTV and the selections I have and they have great customer service. While cable is just now basically getting digital view channels, satellite has always had them. I have very few outages if any, I usually at work however and my bill has stayed the same low rate since 2004. If you don't buy your own receivers, you will have to pay the cost of that, but usually as a FIRST subscriber, that fee is waived for your first 12 months.
Posted by barbarj1 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have had direct tv and dish. Direct tv was first. bayou was right. They don`t have the packages that dish has and they are not cooperative. We changed to dish. They have packages as low as $19.95 and you can add local for $5.00. You pick the package you want. We have a large package, over 300 chanels and the monthly price is $75.95. This is because we get some of the movie chanels so that my husband can watch them. He is sick and tv is a major thing with him. I could live very nicely with the $39.99 package. Anyway, we have had all three and for the last three years have been better satified with dish.
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Common now ND, who's TV really resembles the one in the image above? Is Natchez THAT behind?
You people quit advertising for DirecTV. I have Dish Network and it works for me. The only difference is with the package I have (versus DirecTV similar package), I don't get VH1 Classic channel.
The truth is they are all expensive. Why can't we just order the channels we want and leave ones such as "The Men's Channel" out,?
Just wait until fiber obtics come along? These sleezy cable companies are going to be tossed like yesterday's salad.
Posted by tbaby3 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember when cable was $7.95 a month and the service
was better. We have heard some many times about why the
prices need to go up. I had a bundle package with CableOne
and it was $150.00 monthly then when you don't pay they
shut off the phone and then it costs $65.00 for reconnect
fee. It's a shame that we have to endure this. I live in
an apartment complex so we can't get dish or satellite. There's has to be a better way.
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to send the NAACP, Mathis and Gray on a trip. Make it a one way.
Posted by 000117 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kpage: I left Cableone and switch to DSL 6.0 and my phone bill went down and now I do not lose internet connection when it rains, plus my speed is faster than cableNONE. Call AT&T and let them hook you up with DSL 6.0 plus I am getting $125.00 back just for switching. I should have did this long time a go.
For all of you that is staying on cableone for internet service.
Here is a Number you NEED 602-364-6000 Ask It is the number for the boss for the southern area. Not the JOKES that living in MISSISSIPPI. This is their Boss.
This is a number they don't want you to know or call.
Posted by jimi (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For $112 I received basic cable plus HBO....I switched to the DISH and get HBO,STARZ,CINEMAX,SHOWTIME, MAX(East, West, cowboy channel, and Sundance)...in all about 20 movie channels + all kinds of programming way above and beyond Cable One's menu, and I get three boxes with DVR all for about $90.00 a month. Of course when it rains really hard or the sky is full of lightning it sometimes spaces out for a few minutes......
Jake, get the drainage for those people fixed...now! Sometimes I think we think too much...I have no idea what the problem is, but from the way Ms Mathis described what's happening, it sounds like the drains are stopped up, so, send a crew to clean out the drainage ditch or the pipes or whatever, figure something out. Can you imagine what the mosquito problem must be like? Get 'R Done.....
This won't be the $3.2 million dollar overhaul of the city's drainage system, but it will give these people some immediate relief.
And while the crew is out there maybe Ms Thing could invite the homeowners to observe the process. Then she and her constituents can see how to avoid clogging the drain and how to fix the problem when it comes up again. It's amazing what you can do with a shovel and some elbow grease, and the attitude that we can take some of the responsibility on our own.
......fly high!!!
Ps- and people of Buckner Lane---get some of those mosquito repellent rings at Walmart or K-Mart or one of the hardware stores. They are great, you just toss a few into the standing water and it kills the larve. I used them in Baton Rouge where the pond would back up into the cypress trees at the far end of my yard...they work like a charm.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by CarlDCampbell (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Less channels, higher price!
Posted by gtb1966 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If any one wants to take the time to go to cableone.com and look at other locations they service it will be worth your time. Of the few channel lineups I looked at all had the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) in HD. We do not. My wife was watching American Idol on Fox last night. When I walked by I noticed the sound, and it was fuzzy or distorted sounding. This is common for our Fox station. I don't mind so much paying for quality service, but please can't they make it better.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on April 29, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just wonder how many of the BOA subscribe to Cableone??
Probably. one or two or the rate increase would not have happened!
Terrible service in Natchez despite their TV advertising!
Again, the BOA must be using their heads for a hat rack but that would giving them a lot of credit!
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What I say to get deleted, I was merely stating my opinion on the NAACP, I guess they run your paper too.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on April 29, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just one more reason for a recall election of my alderman.
I suppose I will have to lead the charge for recall!
Posted by enduserx (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL what people don't realize is, satellite rates go up too, and not every other year like cable. It's probably every year, just not as much so you don't notice.
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who doesn't notice emdurserx? I have noticed that satellite TV contributes to a much better variety (and better reception) than the Cableone network (I know, satellite TV scrambles during storms, which is when DTV or Tivo comes in handy).
Cableone has always been a rip-off. When they began in Natchez, they had no competitors and could charge whatever they wanted. The channels they offered then were an embarrassment for Natchez. Satellite allows for more options, more channels, and is more affordable for those reasons.
Posted by barbarj1 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We had been on satellite tv for 10 years and it has not gone up.
Posted by 1redneck (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate Cableone and their crappy service . I dumped them several years back and glad I did . I promote the heck out of their competition . It started with me and now my whole street is either Dish network or DirectTV subscribers . Cableone is losing business and I hope it continues . Due all to their overcharging for poor service .
Posted by brock (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cableone sucks !
Posted by cool33 (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How much is Dish network now? low as $19.95 and you can add local for $5.00. You pick the package you want. Do you have to have a contract ?
Posted by veryniceperson (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does the city contract with Cable One? For some reason I'm thinking that there is a long term contract or some sort of arrangement between the two. I remember several years ago complaining to Mrs. Mathis-who was then (I think) the utilities chair- about the horrible reception/service. Nothing has ever been done and the quality and service has progressively deteriorated. I have seen other cable companies that were entirely different, for the better. This last hike has finally moved me to take action and make a change that should have been done a long time ago. Enough is Enough!!
Posted by bayou (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A good web site is consumeraffairs.com, you can read where people are having the same problem with Directv that I am having. My deal was suposed to be $39.99 + $5.00 for one extra box. My bill is $73.00 untill a suposed rebate comes in,than it will be $52.00. I went through AT&T droped my home phone got DSL Direct and added Directv and was told it would be bundled and would cost $90.00,it was not bundled and it cost me $120.00. O and no local chanels,no fox cbs,nbc,pbs nothing but a bunch of sports and pay per view!!!!!
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For anyone thinking of satellite, I highly recommend contacting Bluff City Satellite in Natchez. They have technicians that live here and they take care of it all. I have Dish and my bill is what they said it would be and has remained the same for a year now. Over 200 channels, dual DVR for 49.99 a month including local channels.
Posted by Natchezbear (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear you Bayou.........I went to switch to Direct tv when Cableone took away my Louisiana channels I was very upset with Cableone. I subscribed online at their website. I chose the $19.95 plan.......I added the locals. They offered Free receivers for four rooms , I took it ,They offered Free DVR recorder, I took it.Three days later I received an email telling me my Bill would be $82.00 a month....I was SHOCKED! After examining my bill it seems you have to rent the free receivers and DVR (not so free huh?). On top of that you have to pay an extra $10.00 dollars to get the High Def Channels WHAT A RIP OFF! As I understood it all channels had to be High Def after Feb 17th (now June 12th) Where the hell do they get off charging you for what should already be (Cable One has done this also)It's nutts to think they turn the High Def off unless you pay extra! I called and canceled , when asked why I said you folks false advertise. I'm so disenchanted with it all............ Cableone sucks.....Satellite sucks unless you pay out the ass.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see numerous negative posts about Direct. Again, I think Dish is by far waaaay better. Call Bluff City, they tell you like it is. The lady recommended I forgo the 1 cent a month special for movie channels because it was limited and most people forget to remove it, till they get the bill. Then theres prorated and all that stuff when getting it turned off.
I have no personal involvement with them other than being a satisfied customer.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we at least have additional channels? I mean who actually needs QV freaking C on two seperate channels. Why is my service still nasty looking?
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 29, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go for it tball, as of today, Dish folks get a free (whats that)
preview of: Women's Entertainment, Style, & the Tennis channels FREE til May 27. Along with an HBO special about Alzheimers Project.
Hey, ??? at least they free!
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 2:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do any of the satelites offer La channels?
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 6:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Buy an O.T.A. and get 25-30 crystal clear digital channels all for FREE! Yes those same channels they are charging you for are all FREE! No more monthly bills! I ditched this sorry cable company earlier this year and got Directv and the antenna and WOW this is the way to geaux! those fuzzy channels with Cableone are crystal clear with the antenna. Thats amazing and the cable company tells you they are working on it. They told me that for a year.
Posted by saintsfan (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sports and Porn channels are all you need anyway, everything else is just a luxury.... hehehehehehehehe
Posted by tbaby3 (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Like I said befor there are still people unable to receive
dish network because they live in an apartment complex. What can we who still use cable do? Hey kpage, you posted
a number to call. Is that someone who will listen or
just a sounding board for rhetoric?
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