By Mary Malloy
"Residents are very much interested in competition within the village," said Mayor Joseph Carrigan.
While East Rockaway is within the Town of Hempstead, it is an incorporated village. Each incorporated village must conduct its own negotiations with Verizon for a video franchise.
"Competition brings better pricing and better service," said Trustee Ed Sieban, who served as the Chairman of the Cable Television Committee. According to Sieban, the village will receive a $55,000 grant from Verizon as part of the service agreement worked out with Verizon and the village. "We plan to utilize these funds for improving interconnectivity services within the village," said Sieban. "That includes village hall, the DPW, fire department headquarters, the library, Senior Center, Recreation Department." It will provide high-speed lines with the village to create an improved network.
"This is great news for the residents of East Rockaway, who now have mo¦re choice for their video entertainment," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut. "Choice and competition drives innovation, value and service quality, and we will continue to compete for Long Island consumers' communications, broadband and video business with our FiOS services.
If Verizon's application is approved by the village board and its cable service could be available in the village shortly after the new year. All applications submitted by cable television providers must be heard by the New York Public Service Commission, which ensures that they comply with state laws and regulations, and the commission can make changes to franchise agreements if necessary.
Comments about this story? Mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
