NBC TO PAY OUTSIDERS FOR BLOCKS OF PROGRAMS
How are the major TV networks going to fill air time with the writers strike going full force? One possibility has NBC making an ambitious deal, apparently the first of its kind, to buy a block of prime-time programming from outside producers.
“Under the plan, NBC has agreed to broadcast at least two new hours produced by Mr. Beers back to back on a single night, with many more hours possible. The terms guarantee Mr. Beers and his partners 30 hours of programs on NBC — three separate 10-episode series.”
“The project is not related to the current strike by Hollywood writers but the background forces are somewhat similar as networks struggle to revise their financial formulas to face a future of diminishing ratings and growing uncertainties about how the Internet will figure in viewers’ choices. The programs, which are all documentary in style, would not have staff writers.”
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EDITORIAL:
THERE IS NO REAL REASON TO RUSH THE BENDERSON MAPLE RD. PROJECT
This Monday night’s Town Board meeting, December 3rd, resolution number 33 on the agenda is: Resolution 2007-546 7:15 PM Rezoning: 218 & 330 Maple Road , 28.114 Acres from CF to GB and 5.212 Acres from CF & R-3 to MFR-6, Benderson Development Company, LLC, Petitioner. This resolution refers to changing the zoning of The Shooting Club on Maple Rd. presently owned Benderson Development Company. The need for the rezoning is to accommodate the Benderson Company’s desire to build a multi-plex development which would be a combination of apartments, upper class retail stores and other buildings.
The Resolution is premature and can’t be voted on until the Town Board members first read the 40 page report from the Planning department which they just received Wednesday, before they can vote on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, also known as the Secor Report. It is extremely important for the Board to read, understand and be ready to ask questions of the Benderson Development Co. concerning this 40 page technical report, before they can vote. There is no way all our Board members have read this report since they only received this highly technical report Wednesday. They should not be voting on something they don’t understand, again.
This project has many unanswered serious questions which need to be answered. The unnecessary pressure to rush yet another project through is the reason Amherst often has regrets later. They didn’t take the necessary time to fully understand the affect a project will have on the community now and in the future. Pressuring the citizens and the Town Board is often a sign that something isn’t ‘kosher’.
STANDOFF ENDS PEACEFULLY AT A CLINTON FIELD OFFICE
Leeland Eisenberg was having a bad week and it got worse when he walked into the campaign headquarters of Hillary Clinton in Rochester, NH. Accoriding to reports Mr. Eisenberg has had a history of abusing drugs and alcohol. The topper was when his wife filed divorce papers this week based on irreconcilable differences.
“Authorities would not discuss Mr. Eisenberg’s background but suggested that they had encountered him before. Several news media outlets reported that he drew attention last spring when he complained that his constitutional rights had been violated after the police placed a flier in his unlocked car, warning him to lock it.”
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MOTHERS SKIMP AS STATES TAKE CHILD SUPPORT
When deadbeat Dad’s are forced to pay support and it goes through the State system, frequently the payments are used the fathers’ payments to recoup welfare costs and pass on none of the money to the children.
“Close to half the states pass along none of collected child support to families on welfare, while most others pay only $50 a month to a custodial parent, usually the mother, even though the father may be paying hundreds of dollars each month.”
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IS IT HEALTHY? FOOD RATING SYSTEMS BATTLE IT OUT
In the not too distant future you may find yourself wondering if that Nilla Waffer you are feeding your children is a ‘B’ rated food, earned an 85% grade, or if it is simply a two star snack. Confused? Suddenly, after years of chaotic, conflicting health claims on food, various groups are rushing to create systems that are supposed to make sense of the nutrition foods offer us.
“Grocery chains are starting to line up behind one system or another. Within months, shoppers across the country may find numerical ratings, star ratings or letter grades plastered on the shelf next to virtually every product in a store.”
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