ACLU Complaint Filed Against Owosso
June 21st, 2007 | by christine |update: you can listen to the audio of the meeting between Gregg G, Jim McAvoy, and Tom Ford here
A complaint has been filed with the ACLU of Michigan. The complaint alleges that the City of Owosso is allowing two right-wing religious groups to control the Owosso government access channel.
The complaint was filed by Tom Ford, and names the City Manager, the Owosso City Council, and Mayor Linda Robertson.
The basis of the complaint is that Owosso Public Access, Inc. (located at Grace Bible Church), and King of Kings Productions (run by Burton Fox), are being allowed to deny Ford access to the channel. Both groups are faith based. The name Owosso Public Access, Inc. is a misnomer, since the Owosso channel is a government channel, and not public access. A government access channel is partially regulated by the local government, and the local government can provide input on channel content. As such, the city can direct K of K or OPA to allow Ford to access the channel. To date, they have refused.
Ford previously attempted to negotiate with former City Manager Gregg Geutchow to get 1 hour per week access to produce a show on progressive politics. At that time, Geutchow told Ford that Burton Fox would never give him access, but he might be able to get access from OPA. Geutchow had authority to direct Fox to give Ford access, but Geutchow refused to do so.
Fox later broadcast a show in which he discussed Ford’s attempt to “take over” the channel. I expect to have that episode available via youtube sometime tomorrow.
If the Owosso channel was truly a “public access channel”, the City of Owosso would have no input over content. Because it is a “government access channel”, and because the city is allowing two religious groups to control all access to that channel, the ACLU complaint alleges that the City of Owosso is violating Ford’s First Amendment rights.
More details later.
More on public / educational / government access television.
update 7/7/07 - I have the video tape and some other materials & will publish them as soon as I get them converted.
update 7/8/07 - Rats! I made the videos too long for youtube, so I have to do it again. Maybe later tonight.
[tags]burton fox, government access channel, public access channel, owosso, shiawassee county, aclu[/tags]
14 Responses to “ACLU Complaint Filed Against Owosso”
By GLFox on Jul 3, 2007 | Reply
I read your entry regarding Tom Ford’s ACLU lawsuit against the City of Owosso. What a crock. Burton Fox is my father and a man of impecable character. Tom Ford while seeking the Democratic nomination for state rep had the opportunity to appear on a program with the other Democratic hopefuls, but he refused to appear. I can tell you for a fact, if he had taped some program to air on the access channel, my father would have only refused to air it if it was deemed offensive. There have been many times where my father on several occasions had put Gregg Guetschow in the hot seat while on the air. He did not play favorites with the city manager or anyone else for that matter. I think since you wish to appear as an amateur journalist of sorts that you go to seek out the complete truth to a matter before writing conjecture or only one half of the story.
By christine on Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
I know he is your father and I did not say anything about his character.
I can tell you with certainty that GG stated your father would never let Tom have time on the air.
Nothing you’ve said has anything to do with the fact that Tom filed an ACLU complaint against the City, which is what this article is about.
The only thing you’ve said that is relevant is this: “I can tell you for a fact, if he had taped some program to air on the access channel, my father would have only refused to air it if it was deemed offensive.” Which pretty much goes to the heart of the matter … a right wing faith based group should not be in charge of the content of a government access channel. Everything is offensive to them.
When I get the video tape of the episode I mentioned, I will make it available via youtube. That should clear things up as to whether your father would or would not have allowed Tom Ford to get some air time.
By GLFox on Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
You said you have not questioned my father’s integrity, then turn around and say, “Which pretty much goes to the heart of the matter … a right wing faith based group should not be in charge of the content of a government access channel. Everything is offensive to them.”
That statement of yours does question his integrity. My father is a Christian minister, a retired military member, and has been involved in Owosso government in one form or another for years. Heck, he’s probably attended more city council meetings than anyone. I can tell you for a fact, that if there was nothing sexually offensive, or foul language in any of Tom’s programs, in other words what the FCC would find offensive, my father would have aired Tom’s tapes. The only problem is, Tom never brought them.
Now you say you know for a fact what GG said. How? Were you standing right there? Ask Tom about when he was invited to be on a show with all the other Democratic hopefuls for state rep. Ask him why he refused to be on.
When you find the show you’re talking about, be sure to put the entire thing on youtube so everyone can see everything, not just a 5 or 10 second blurb.
By christine on Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Gary I did not question your father’s integrity … it’s not even in question now, even though you keep bringing it up. I actually like your father pretty good, I think he does a lot of good work around here.
You are the one who said: “my father would have only refused to air it if it was deemed offensive”. Which shows that it is your father’s judgment that determines what goes on the city channel. Again, why is it up to a religious group or a minister? It is the City’s channel, not your father’s. That is what the ACLU complaint is about.
You said — “Now you say you know for a fact what GG said. How? Were you standing right there? ” Yes.
You said: “When you find the show you’re talking about, be sure to put the entire thing on youtube so everyone can see everything, not just a 5 or 10 second blurb.”
I will as long as there are no copyright issues, which I suppose is also up to your father. However I do have the right to publish at least parts of it under fair use, regardless of whatever copyright claims he may have.
Also this is about Tom trying to get 1 hour each week on the channel. This is not about whether Tom was invited to be on air with all other Democratic candidates. Two separate issues which have nothing to do with each other.
It’s an ACLU complaint against the City, not against your father.
By GLFox on Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
All Tom had to do was take his tape to my father. It was as simple as that. Yes you are questioning my father’s integrity when you ask “why is it up to a religious group or a minister?” The facts are the people who keep the programs on the air are volunteers. It doesn’t cost the taxpayers of Owosso a dime to have the access channel. My father and Jim Hardwick are fair and honest men of integrity. All Tom has to do is see either of them, but he doesn’t do it. I think Tom is seeking publicity over the matter.
By ScenicView on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Glfox’s posts are full of lies. I never refused to be on his father’s program with other Democrtaic candidates. That is a lie. I have been on the Burton Fox show at least 3 times and have never refused a chance to be on until he spent an hour by himself independently attacking me and my character and accusing me of mocking the Bible. I have it all on tape. When I called and asked for equal time by myself (like Burton had done) I was refused access. Glfox said “I can tell you for a fact, that if there was nothing sexually offensive, or foul language in any of Tom’s programs, in other words what the FCC would find offensive, my father would have aired Tom’s tapes.” That is a lie and I have many witnesses who heard and saw Burton say he would not air my information. The info I wished to be presented on the channel was a lecture at Michigan State by the author of the book, “The Bush Agenda”. It was not sexually offensive nor did it contain any foul language. I did give it to Burton and he gave it back to me and said there was no way he would put it on. I don’t believe he ever even previewed it. The Grace Bible group has had the dvd for over a month and have not aired it either
I used to have a certain respect for Burton Fox and have said so on numerous occasions but not anymore.
Glfox, if you were any more misinformed on this issue I would be amazed. I don’t care what your father has told you, everything I have said here is the truth. If it is not, I wish God to strike me dead. Can Burton Fox make that same claim?
By GLFox on Jul 9, 2007 | Reply
Was the program copyrighted and did you have a written consent form for release to air on other broadcasts?
By ScenicView on Jul 9, 2007 | Reply
That was never in question and your father never asked.
I had permission to air the information. But, what does that have to do with all the lies you posted about me. I think you owe me an apology, but I doubt I will get it. Do you still stand by your previous allegations?
By Burton Fox on Jul 10, 2007 | Reply
I have been directed to this blog, and I feel I must submit my views and facts. Christine Barry, I doubt was at any meeting that GG supposedly told Tom Ford that I would never allow him an hour, and I have asked Tom Ford to provide the tape he has from that meeting, so that I could verify GG made any such statement. Still have not receive the tape, and I doubt TF has any such tape. In fact, I told TF that we did not have a time in the schedule for him to have a program, and when we did get a time he would be considered for it. Since TF has taken the Christine Berry Blog to air his lies, then I feel he does not have any intent on contacting me for any such program. Sorry TF, but you ares so intent on getting Faith Based programming removed from the Owosso cable channel, that you have completely lost your first focus. I have just had a meeting with Larry Cook, Interim City Manager, and our cooperation in providing wholesome, interesting, and informative programming, has just been advanced. Everything would have worked out for you, but you were totally wanting to be in contro. I remind you, that I gave you the opportunity to rebuke my statements that you disliked on Keeping You Infored, but you elected not to, as I would not turn the show over to you. Try getting someone else to turn a show over to you. Bet it won’t happen. You can be a guest at any time other than the first or second Friday of each month on Keeping You Informed. Give me a call Com.
By ScenicView on Jul 10, 2007 | Reply
BF: I have been directed to this blog, and I feel I must submit my views and facts. Christine Barry, I doubt was at any meeting.
BF: GG supposedly told Tom Ford that I would never allow him an hour, and I have asked Tom Ford to provide the tape he has from that meeting, so that I could verify GG made any such statement.
TF: this is not true. BF never asked me for a copy of the recorded meeting.
BF: Still have not receive the tape, and I doubt TF has any such tape.
TF: Christine and others have heard the recording and can confirm what GG said.
BF: In fact, I told TF that we did not have a time in the schedule for him to have a program, and when we did get a time he would be considered for it.
TF: this also is not true. Pastor Ray Strawser of Owosso First Baptist Church told Burton and myself that I could have an hour of his time on Friday because he felt he had enough time on channel 3 and would like to see more diversity. Rev. Strawser will confirm this.
BF: Sorry TF, but you are so intent on getting Faith Based programming removed from the Owosso cable channel, that you have completely lost your first focus.
TF: This also is not true. At no time have I ever expressed to anyone that my goal is to get Faith Based programming removed from the Owosso cable channel. It is not my goal, has never been my goal and never will be my goal. In fact I expressed that point of view publicly and openly at a number of City Council meetings.
BF: I remind you, that I gave you the opportunity to rebuke my statements that you disliked on Keeping You Infored, but you elected not to, as I would not turn the show over to you.
TF: That is also not true. I only asked BF for equal time. I was not invited to be on the program where he spent almost the whole hour attacking me and my Christianity. (I have that tape also) I felt I deserved the same consideration BF had given himself. He did not concur. He is not into fairness he is into control.
The City has allowed BF and the Grace Bible Group to completely control access to a publicly owned cable access channel (Channel 3). The City has allowed these groups to discriminate against me. The City Manager and Mayor Robertson have agreed that what they are doing is not right. I asked for their help. I was denied and therefore I filed a complaint with the ACLU.
Burton, what about all the lies your son published on this blog? Will you condemn them as you have condemned me?
By christine on Jul 10, 2007 | Reply
I uploaded the audio from the meeting, in which Gregg tells Tom “you won’t get anywhere with Burton”, and Jim says something to the effect that “they’re religious and they have an agenda” The link is at the top of the post, in the “update” line. These statements are at about 30 seconds in, and at about 3 minutes, 20 seconds in.
I will youtube the KYI episode when I get the chance. It won’t be tonight. It has to be ripped at a higher quality because the sound was awful on my last attempt.
By Steve on Jul 11, 2007 | Reply
Why can’t the city (on one certain day of each week) buy, maintain and operate an 8 or 10 disc DVD player that would automatically play a disc for 1 hour and rotate to next disc. That way anyone could take a DVD to city hall and an employee could review tape for content and load to player.
Sounds like this would satisfy everyone involved. It seems like local service clubs, hospital, governmental units or individuals would add alot of interesting local programs to the cable network.
By Burton Fox on Jul 11, 2007 | Reply
One more bit of information to set the record straight. On three ifferent occassions, I have stated to the Owosso City Council, that K.O.K. Video Prductions is willing to release one day, either Thursday or Saturday to be used by another entity. We most likely would surrender Thursday, because it would be eaisier for someone to program the timers to make the switch from Wenesday to Thursday, instead of Friday to Saturday. That would further make for solid continuity. In order for someone to have that 24 hour period, they would be required to obtain their cameras, editing equipment, ensure a minimum of 8 hours of programming (FCC Regulations). and make arrangements for Charter Communications to install them in the link. Is anybody ready to meet that requirement out there? The day is availabnle, and you may want to check the city official minutes of council meetings before you say that is a lie. TF juscan’t get away from calling people liars. He was given the opportunity to come on Keeping You Informed as a guest to refute the one hour show concerning my comments on the cable TV. Be truthful, or your lies will surely find you out. Oh, by the way, in the near future you will be able to view a new program on Friday’s at 12:00 noon, 8:00PM and 4:00AM. As for Tom Fords statement concerning Pastor Ray Strawser, He is partially correct, in that Pastor Strawser did tel him that he could have his time occassionally, but it is not one hour. It is 30 minutes, and Pastor Strawser has not give K.O.K. the approval to do that. Maybe Tom should have gotten back with the good Pastor, and then he may not have had to take is unneccessary step to sue the city. When you are seeking thing from others, it is best to negotiate, rather than demand.
By ScenicView on Jul 11, 2007 | Reply
Once again I say to BF, give me the same consideration you gave yourself. You did not ask me to be on the show when chose to spend a whole hour attacklng me without me being present. If it was fair for you to address me in abstentia then it would also be fair to allow me to be on without your commentary. But alas, you are not about fairness you are about control and about false allegations.
Nothing was said about having an occasional half hour slot on Friday. Rev. strawser said he would give up his Friday time to give space for me to be on. I did get back with him about being on channel 3 on Friday and he said you changed the prograamming around so that the Friday slot would no longer be available to me.
BF, your son said, “I can tell you for a fact, that if there was nothing sexually offensive, or foul language in any of Tom’s programs, in other words what the FCC would find offensive, my father would have aired Tom’s tapes.†Is this true or not? If it is true, my dvd fit the requirements glfox stated above. Will you put it on or not. I asked if you would publicly condemn the lies published here by your son and as usual you ignored the question and gave no response.
Is that really the Christain thing to do. You must know what the Bible says about spreading lies etc., right?