A school official's request for a government-access channel, plus a customer's complaint about rising costs, were the only two issues raised Tuesday during Orangeburg City Council's public hearing on the proposed 10-year renewal of Time Warner's cable television franchise.

Afterward, council voted 4-1-2 for first reading of the franchise-renewal ordinance that includes a provision for the government-access channel.

Councilman Bernard Haire, who cast the lone vote against first reading, argued that 10 years is too long and will "be even more of a hardship on the citizens."

"I don't feel this company has been a good corporate citizen and to allow them the opportunity to have a franchise for 10 years without any public input, without citizens complaining ... It's wrong to let this company have such a long, extended period of time," said Haire, a frequent critic of Time Warner service. "I also agree with the lady who spoke earlier on competition. Where there's true competition, the citizenry are not going to be taken for a ride."

Gwendolyn Gillis, a retired senior citizen who lives outside of the city limits, complained during the hearing that, without competition, her basic cable bill has increased from about $21 when Jones Intercable had the franchise to $50 today.

After Haire's comments, Mayor Paul Miller rejected the request of Bud Tibshrany, Time Warner vice president of public affairs, to address council, explaining, "I don't think so; any comments (should have been) in the public hearing."

Voting for the ordinance were the mayor and council members Joyce Rheney, Charlie Jernigan and Charles "Buddy" Barnwell. Council members Sandra Knotts and Trelvis Miller abstained.

As outlined by City Attorney James Walsh, the franchise fee remains at 5 percent and gross revenues include anything classified as cable service. Also, the 10-year renewal begins June 1 and includes the requested government-access channel.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 spokesman Greg Carson, who requested the government-access channel, explained that, by using school equipment, the addition could be an asset to the community without excessive costs. School districts in Richland County, he said, use the channel to broadcast things that are going on in the schools. In addition, he suggested that different government entities, such as City Council, could use the channel to record meetings.

That led Jernigan to ask if the school board meetings could be televised, as well.

"No, we're not looking to do that," said Carson, as council and audience members laughed. "We'll stay away from that, I believe."

In other business, council:

n Authorized acceptance of a $370,827 assistance to firefighters grant from the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Domestic Preparedness.

The funds will be used for a UHF radio system that will effectively communicate on multiple emergency scenes and have the ability to conduct joint operations with multiple jurisdictions without delays.

The city will provide a 10 percent match of $41,202 for the total $412,029 project.

Department of Public Safety Chief Wendell Davis explained that his office is working with the Department of Public Utilities on the radio project to ensure that, with economy of scale, the grant money goes a little further.

n Accepted the $1,067,321.58 low responsible bid from Foremost Pipeline Construction Co. of Lexington for a 10-inch high pressure gas main along Homestead Road, off U.S. Highway 301.

Although the bid was slightly more than budgeted, DPU Manager Fred Boatwright noted that the cost of steel has increased.

n In closed, executive session, discussed a personnel matter concerning Municipal Court.

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