The Hastings Cable Access Committee is committed to providing interesting programming for those who get the channel. The renewed dedication to finding and filming local events is being led by Bill Redman, president of the committee and Hastings City Council member.
One of the committee’s first large endeavors is on local industry; a crew comes into a business and shows what they do, how they do it and things unique to their business, sometimes over several days.
They just finished shoots at D&S Machine and Tom Otto Turkey Farm, with more in the line-up: T&R Machine, BCN Technical Services (E.W. Bliss), Co-Dee Stamping, Hastings Manufacturing, H&F Products, Munn Manufacturing, Ketchum Machine and H& L Manufacturing. The segments air once a day at various times for a month.
Redman said he's excited about talking next week with Hastings Schools Superintendent Carrie Duits about students interested in media who might volunteer to cover some of school sports events, concerts, plays and other events.
City council, planning commission and zoning board of appeals meetings are live-streamed by the committee. Summerfest and St. Patrick’s Day parades have been aired; the Barry Roubaix bike race, Gus Maker 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Music at the Fountain and other events in the downtown area are in their sights, he said.
A Nashville Michigan Historical Society event is in progress and several churches are discussing once a month coverage.
The committee is limited in its mission to educational and governmental interests; they can do anything in those areas. They can’t sell time, but anyone can sponsor a particular segment.
“Just call and request an event, and if we can do it, we will,” Redman said.
Redman is working on a long term goal of the committee having a full-time staff of camera operators, editors and other volunteers. He sees that happening, not for a while yet, but he thinks it can be done. “Right now, we have one full-time employee, Station Manager Dan LaClair, and six volunteers,” he said.
Redman intends to continue the resurgence of cable programming by welcoming and recruiting volunteers interested in camera work, editing or sitting on the cable access committee. He can be reached at 838-0893 or one can apply for the cable access committee at Hastings City Hall.
