By Paul Wein
The decision by the board was made after Verizon filed an application with the village to become its second cable service provider. The application was ruled on at a public hearing at Cedarhurst Village Hall, with representatives from both companies given a chance to comment before the board made a decision. The board's action must still be approved by the New York State Public Service Commission, the agency that reviews applications submitted by cable service providers to ensure that they comply with state regulations. The PSC can make changes as it sees fit.
Cedarhurst is the third area in Nassau County now open to Verizon cable service. In September 2005, Massapequa Park approved Verizon's application to provide service, and the Town of Hempstead did so on April 4. The PSC, which has already approved Verizon's application for Massapequa Park, will rule on the Hempstead application on May 17 and should rule on the Cedarhurst application sometime in July. According to Verizon officials, the PSC has never rejected an application.
When the companies were given the opportunity to testify regarding the application for Cedarhurst, Verizon claimed that 84 percent of the village is already wired, with the remaining 16 percent to be "built out," or completed, by the end of 2007. The company also stated that as part of the franchise agreement between Verizon and the village, it would provide free basic cable and Internet service to all public schools and libraries, and give grants of $2,000 to private schools to set up their Internet and television service.
In response, Cablevision's attorneys questioned Verizon's deployment schedule, stating that they felt it could take until 2011 or later to wire the remaining parts of the village. In addition, both Cablevision and the village Board of Trustees questioned why Verizon would not provide service to private schools, something Cablevision currently does at no charge. Following the board's approval, Verizon agreed to stick to its deployment schedule and have the entire village built out by 2007, and reconsider the issue of providing private schools with cable and Internet service.
When it was time for closing arguments, Cablevision requested that the board delay its ruling so it would have the chance to review the documents that Verizon submitted as part of the proposed agreement. Verizon countered that this was simply a delaying tactic by Cablevision, and again asked the board to rule in its favor. After returning from executive session, Village Trustee Michael Fabrizio made a motion to accept Verizon's application, which Village Trustee Ari Brown seconded it. The board then voted unanimously to approve the application, which elicited applause from the company's supporters in the audience.
"I have Cablevision and am happy with the service that I have, but I would like to have a choice," said Parise. "How could we deny an application that offers our residents competition?"
Following the board's ruling and regardless of the decision by the PSC, Verizon plans to file applications in other areas of Nassau County in the near future.
Dr. Asher Mansdorf, a Cablevision customer, Woodmere resident and member of the Lawrence school board, said he came only to speak as a private citizen, and thinks it is important to have competition. "We have to teach our children that competition is healthy," he said. "Cablevision does a great job, but I do not mind Verizon competing for my dollar."
Comments about this story? PWein@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
