Videotape or broadcast Wdk. City Council meetings

The value of video- and audio-taped public meetings and of broadcasting them for residents' viewing was clearly demonstrated by last week's meeting of the trustees of the Village of Island Lake.

What would it be like if Woodstock City Council meetings were videotaped and made available to residents, either by Comcast public access channel or by videotaping and streaming (as is done in Island Lake)?

Not only could residents get a good idea of what is going on at City Hall (without leaving the comfort of their dens or living rooms), but the public record would be preserved for later viewing. Sometimes, days, weeks or months later a resident (or even another member of the Council) might wonder who said what, exactly, and the tone and manner in which it was said.

A couple of years ago I suggested such taping to the Woodstock City Council and began to checking into Comcast public-service broadcasts. Comcast wouldn't talk to me. Comcast will talk to City Hall. Will City Hall talk to Comcast?

There might not even be any cost to Woodstock for this service. Maybe it's part of the deal that the City and Comcast make, so that Comcast has the lock on cable in Woodstock.

Should Woodstock City Council meetings be videotaped and available for viewing, either on Comcast public-service TV or internet streaming? Please vote in this week's survey.