Sunday, October 21, 2001
45 Public access
To hear the truth, or someone's perception of it; To see hidden agendas uncovered; To see self-proclaimed uncoverers of hidden agendas pursue their hidden agendas; To seek or find eternal salvation; To see music videos;
And because the three minutes of public comment period at most local government meetings isn't enough for some of these people, there's public access television.
Corpus Christi residents can apply for half-hour or hour-long time slots weekly on Time Warner Cable's public Channel 10. In addition to being city residents, they need only be 18 or older and refrain from advertising, obscenity and a few other federal on-air no-nos.
Here are a few of the more than 60 shows on local public access (check local listings for times):
"Corpus Christi Taxpayers Association," by Joe O'Brien, longtime critic of local government.
"La Voz Del Pueblo," by Abel Alonzo, longtime advocate for disabled, regularly exhorts public officials on matters of conscience during public meetings.
"GI Forum National Report," by Joe A. Ortiz. - This show once attracted attention because hosts Joe Ortiz and Rolando Garza gave away "Coconut Awards" to local Hispanics. Ortiz still runs the show while Garza has moved on to his own show.
"Civil Rights," by Rolando Garza - His cause is organizing city workers under the United Steel Workers Union.
"Common Cause," by Mary Beth Nelson - This show covers a lot of ground from public access to government records, to the Army's experiment in Corpus Christi on disposing of nerve gas.
"South Texas Politics Live," by John Marez - Marez often brings on political candidates for live discussions on their campaign issues.
"Corpus Christi, Naked City," by Jose Marroquin - Pursues public access to information. Enjoys exposing property appraisal issues.
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