‘Electronic Robin Hoods’ disrespect residents

Could someone please get Mayor “Mac” Womack and the North Brunswick Township Council a cup of coffee? Cablevision is asking the North Brunswick Township Council for a 10-year extension agreement. Now, to entice the Township Council, these electronic Robin Hoods are offering such amenities as free Internet access to each school library in the township and for one municipal building.

In addition, Cablevision will provide at no cost to the high school and Board of Education office an additional cable return path to the municipal building. Sound good? Well, beware of cable television companies bearing gifts. The reality of this deal is all of these items are ultimately going to be paid for by the Cablevision subscribers in North Brunswick in higher monthly rates — give me a break. My opinion is the Township Council should throw these money-grubbing scoundrels out of the municipal building into Hermann Road on their backsides.

I have been a subscriber to Cablevision for 10 years, and in that time I have seen my monthly charges rise by 77 percent. Now, I realize cable television is a virtual unregulated utility. Nonetheless, if Verizon or PSE&G had attempted the same price-gouging tactic on the township’s residents during the past decade, there would have been hell to pay. However, in the case of Cablevision, Township Attorney Ronald Gordon wants to run up a white flag before we have fought the battle.

Furthermore, during the past 10 years — in an attempt to keep my monthly cost down — I have continuously scaled back service on my plan. Consequently, today I have about 15 percent fewer channels on my plan than I had 10 years ago. Oh yes, there is also the circumstance of my having to pay for channels I don’t even watch. Forget about the fact I only speak English, yet still have to pay for a glut of Spanish-speaking stations I don’t watch.

The whole Cablevision franchise circumstance in North Brunswick stinks. The Township Council needs to hold these robbers’ feet to the fire until they get a new deal that treats their customers in North Brunswick with respect and dignity in their business practices.

William A. Cook

North Brunswick