ACTV has a new executive director

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on October 26, 2007

Increased service to the community, programs on regional and national issues and more local programming: Those are some of the goals articulated by James Lescault, the new director of ACTV, Amherst Community Television. He was hired earlier this month as the new full-time director at the station, which had been led by a series of interim appointments for the past two years.

Sitting in the conference room at ACTV on College Street, Lescault spoke of his background, plans for the station and protecting the freedom of the air waves.

For past the five years he was head of the Even Start literacy program for children and families in Holyoke, where he was raised and still lives. He also worked in Boston for Urban Education System, a nonprofit consulting firm.

However, his initial career was with video. He did camera work for an industrial firm, but said he wanted to work more with the community.

In the early 1970s, there was a huge shift in technology, equipment became accessible, and citizens could create programs, according to Lescault. "You could make your own stories. You didn't have to go to CBS for an audience," he said.

He became an independent producer of videos and worked at the Council for Children in Holyoke. He worked with teens to create their own programs. They were able to become advocates and dealt with the issues of the inner city.

He applied for the ACTV post, "Because I saw an opportunity to bring together my many different talents."

He said he plans no great changes. He commends his three full-time staff and will rely on their expertise. He wants to meet with producers to find out what they are doing, what they need and to assess the equipment. "People will get to know me over time," he said.

To introduce himself and spread the ACTV word, he plans to meet with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, school Superintendent Jere Hochman and the Northampton community television director. He said a goal is to do cooperative ventures, cover more regional issues and share resources.

He also went to New York to meet with staff and tour at Manhattan Network, a very large public access channel.

His major concern is Verizon's challenge to local cable franchises. It is trying to get state legislatures to let it provide video services and remove licenses on the local level.

That means that Amherst would no longer negotiate with local service provider.

"I fear a loss of freedom of speech and loss of local control. They won't have to provide local programs. Those who rely on Select Board, Town Meeting, League of Women Voters programs will not have them. It would be a great loss."

"If you lose the local control, where will people go to have a voice heard? Channel 22 and 40 won't air all Select Board and Town Meetings," he said.

Lescault said Verizon is selling the change as competition and consumer choice. It sounds good but consumers will have to buy a bundle package (phone and cable). It will be hard to get service and difficult to drop service if it isn't good.

He said strong community support will be needed to protect local control.

He explained why: "Community television is great vehicle to inform a community, to inform itself of issues, whether it's the homeless or elder services; it's a great forum. As an educational tool, the potential is endless."

Another reason: "I believe strongly in the arts and culture. There is so much going on. So many good people need to express themselves. Community television is another venue to be creative."

He said he doesn't know where the technology will go next. Will the meetings be seen on standard TV, an iPod or cell phone?

"There have never been so many systems to obtain information." His challenge is how to get people to select ACTV. "No matter what format, you have to put things up that people want to watch; not only content but quality."

ACTV has three channels: public access, channel 12; education, channel 15; and government, channel. 17

Residents and organizations can join ACTV and produce their own programs. Training is available. Membership costs $10 for individuals and $100 for organizations and businesses, which allows five people to be trained. ACTV is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.