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"A Family Tradition for 130 Years" CCSA's In fight between-local cable company and Discovery By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star The organization which represents cable televi- sion companies across Canada has entered the fray in a dispute between Compton Cable TV and the Discovery Channel. The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) issued a statement last week accusing NetStar Communications Inc, which owns Discovery, of targeting the local cable company and neighboring Hometown Cablesystems Inc. as an impasse over distribution of the signal here deepens. The CCSA represents 441 small and medium- sized cable systems which service more than 800,000 households across the country. Alliance Presi- dent Barbara Stanley said Discovery, which abruptly cut off its signal to Comp- ton Aug. 16, is putting pressure on the local sta- tion in order to get its way in contract negotiations. She likened Discovery's actions to "strong arm" tactics. "Both Compton Cable TV and Hometown Cable- systengg were targeted by NetStar Communications Inc. for discontinuance of Discovery in an attempt to pressure the remaining 439 cable TV systems in Canada into signing an unnegotiated contract which could affect the monthly rates customers pay for cable TV," said Ms Stanley. Discovery has negotiat- ed with the CCSA for eight months, and no blanket contract for supply of the signal to Canadian sta- tions has been reached. Discovery vice-president Ken Murphy said the com- pany reluctantly conclud- ed the talks were "a fruit- less process", and decided to approach individual cable companies to reach agreements. As negotiations be- tween CCSA and Discov- ery have gone on, cable stations like Compton have paid a fee for distri- bution of the channel to subscribers. Mr. Murphy claims that Compton and Hometown have been singled out for action for actions he said amount to a violation of Discovery's copysight. Compton has redistrib- uted its Discovery signal to neighboring Home- town, which services com- munities east of Port Perry. Compton owner Ron Compton freely ad- mits that's going on and says the practice, known as interconnecting, is per- fectly legal. The dispute came to a head on Aug. 16, a Friday, when Discovery pulled the plug on Compton around 4 in the afternoon. Mr. Compton and Mr. Murphy both say they want the dispute settled, so that viewers here can watch Discovery as part of their cable package. In the meantime, however, Mr. Compton refuses to nego- tiate with the company; he says the CCSA represents him. And Mr. Murphy says negotiations for a block agreement with the CCSA are a lost cause. The Alliance, mean- while, has referred the matter to the Canadian Radio-Television and Tel- ecommunications Com- mission. They're hoping the CRTC will step in and act as a mediator in the dispute. The CCSA, on behalf of small cable operators and their viewers across Cana- da, will ensure that the in- terests of consumers for affordable choice in televi- sion viewing cannot be ig- nored," said Ms Stanley. haul. Night theft thwarted A sharp-eyed Durham Regional Police officer is being credited with thwarting a late-night theft by employees at a Port Perry grocery store Sgt. Ken Hudson said the officer was on patrol at Port Perry Plaza around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 when he stopped to check two vehicles parked behind Mike's Food Basics. He found a car "filled to the roof with all kinds of frozen food", said Sgt. Hudson. A nearby truck held the same kind of A check revealed two employees in the store. One fled the scene, but another, a 41-year-old Port Perry man, was charged with theft and possession of stolen property. Over $800 in food was recovered. TWO-CAR COLLISION: A Honey's Beach woman, aged 33, is facing a charge of failing to yield after a northbound Grand Am entered the intersection ~ Semi-Annual ~ "UPSTAIRS" Warebouse Sale... In order to make room for all our new fall merchandise, we're moving all our summer fashions & footwear (mens, womens & kids) UPSTAIRS - & selling them at AMAZING PRICES! when you visit UPSTAIRS you will receive a coupon entitling you to pay NO GST and NO PST* on all new Fall fashions & footwear (mens & womens only) DOWNSTAIRS! Sale starts Thursday. August 22 until Sunday, Aug 31 Soy no layaways - Final Sale "discount equivalent to taxes will be deducted. BR@CRK'S Service, Quality & Style Since 1881 LEVI"S JEANS | 25% OFF until September 8th, 1996 168 Queen St., Port Perry 985-2521