By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

A CROWD of irate Bahamians gathered at Holy Trinity Anglican Church last night to express their outrage over Cable Bahamas’ proposed almost 30 per cent price increase for basic cable.

About 50 people attended the first in a series of town meetings hosted by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), and many Cable customers could not contain their frustration as they took to the open microphone and unanimously voiced their opposition to the proposed increase.

The audience, which included former DNA candidates Rodney Moncur and Prince Smith, had to be frequently reminded to keep the noise down and maintain a respectable manner by the forum’s hosts – CEO, Kathleen Smith; Policy and Regulation Director, Stephen Bereaux; and Senior Case Officer Vincent Wallace Whitfield, all of URCA.

URCA had announced at a press conference last week that Cable Bahamas is seeking to raise prices by 27 per cent for its SuperBasic television package, now known as RevTV Prime – from $30 to $38 for residential customers and from $50 to $63.50 for businesses.

Customer Greg Evans took the microphone to “cry shame” on Cable Bahamas for “even coming to the country and asking” for a price increase.

“We’re already paying too much,” he said to raucous applause. “For the channels we’re getting and the service we’re getting they don’t deserve a raise, they deserve a decrease.”

He also criticised the system where Cable customers must buy or rent a box-top set as part of the Cable package, stating – “I shouldn’t have to pay an extra $2 for every box I have in my house.

“They do not deserve the increase what they are asking for and so please, don’t do it.”

Melanie Roach also opposed the price increase, but also offered a suggestion that could please customers.

She said Cable should simply keep the price the same, but reduce the number of channels available. “I don’t think anyone in here watches all 60 of the channels,” she said.

Another customer, Nicolas Jacques, stated: “I think Cable Bahamas representatives should have been up there answering these questions.” This suggestion was loudly cheered.

“An $8 increase can buy at least eight tins of tuna or at least three tins of corned beef,” he said. “That’s eight tins of tuna I wouldn’t be able to buy if I had to pay for this increase... us poor people cannot afford that increase.”

Mr Jacques also questioned whether Cable had an official deal in place for the supply of its services in the past, but no response was given at the meeting.

A Mr Culmer “voiced (his) displeasure” on the increase while Jasmine Bain said she was “disappointed” with Cable.

Jeff Sands reiterated Mr Jacques’ position and stated that URCA is “trying to answer questions” that Cable should be answering — again more wild applause.

When the DNA’s Rodney Moncur took to the microphone he alleged a conflict on interests on the part of URCA.

He said he was “concerned about the integrity” of URCA and claimed the company’s chairman, Randol Dorsett, had represented Cable Bahamas as a lawyer.

“Randol Dorsett is the lead attorney for Cable Bahamas,” Mr Moncur announced as the room erupted into shouts of surprise and outrage.

Mr Wallace Whitfield then took the microphone and told Mr Moncur that he was “taking up a lot of time.” “Let him talk!” the audience shouted.

Mr Moncur continued: “It has to be professionally immoral for the chairman of URCA to be the lead council in (the Supreme Court) in 2010 and this is why I have no confidence.”

He called on Mr Dorsett to resign stating: “He should not be allowed to represent Cable Bahamas in the Supreme Court and also have voting powers to determine us Negroes being taxed.”

“Man can’t get rape,” said Mr Moncur, but he feels Cable Bahamas is trying to take advantage of Bahamians.

URCA had said they will withhold any decisions on Cable’s application until the completion of the town meetings.

The next one will take place next Tuesday in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, followed by George Town, Exuma, on September 20; New Providence on September 25; Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, on September 25; and Freeport, Grand Bahama, on October 2 – venues will be confirmed.