Jennifer Chateauneuf 75 Hillview Drive Holyoke, MA 01040 Press Release February 9, 2016 For immediate release Holyoke City Councilor and Owner of Nick’s Nest Cites Political Relationship of Mayor Alex B. Morse and James Bickford and Demands Bickford’s Removal from Holyoke Community Media, Inc. Jennifer Chateauneuf will hold a press briefing in front of Nick's Nest on February 10, 2016 at 11:00 am to demand that Mayor Alex 8. Morse immediately remove James Bickford from his position as Treasurer and Director of Holyoke Community Media, Inc. As stated in a letter to Mayor Morse, Councilor Chateauneuf condemns the evasive response by the Mayor to her letter a week ago and renews her call for the removal of Mr. Bickford. “There is a political relationship between Mayor Morse and Mr. Bickford that the Mayor is trying to conceal. From appointments to Boards to campaign contributions just a few months ago, the political friendship is clear. And what is even more clear is that Mr. Bickford serves in his current position solely because of the Mayor.” Mr. Bickford is the Treasurer and Director of Holyoke Community Media Inc. ("HEMI"), HEMI oversees the Comcast cable franchise license fees collected by the City of Holyoke. ‘There is approximately $1 million in the account managed by HCMI The Letter to the Mayor, the Secretary of State’s and Office of Campaign and Political Finance documents, and the City of Holyoke’s ‘announcement of the Comcast agreement, are attached. “Mr. Bickford was emailing sexually aggressive posts to me during the same timeframe that he was contributing to the Mayor's re-election campaign. And just a few months before he started posting, the ‘Mayor initiated the process of putting Mr. Bickford on the Board of HCN” In a3 sentence response, Mayor Morse responded to Ms. Chateauneuf a week ago that he had no appointing authority over Mr. Bickford. In fact, Mir. Bickford would never have been on the HCMI but for the support of the Mayor. From the appointment of Mr. Bickford to the Cable Advisory Committee, to the Mayor's initiative of moving members of that Committee to the HCM! and then saying nothing in response about the sexual posts from Mr. Bickford, the Mayor is not telling the public the real story. The Mayor does have the power to weigh in and have Mr. Bickford removed from his position and he should.” Mrs, Chateauneuf can be reached at chateauneuf75@comeast.net or her Attorney Stephen J Buoniconti at (413) 575-3654 or steveb.lawotfice@gmail.comJennifer Chateauneuf 75 Hillview Drive Holyoke, MA 01040 Februar 2016 Honorable Mayor Alex 8, Morse Holyoke City Hall 536 Dwight Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Dear Mayor Morse: Ihave recelved your letter dated February 2, 2016 stating that Mr. James Bickford does not serve on any municipal boards or any position of which you have appointing authority. As before, ! call on you to use ‘your authority as Mayor to remove Mr. Bickford from any positions that he serves on behalf of the citizens of Holyoke. Your three sentence letter evades the full picture of your relationship with Mr. Bickford. What we know is this: \ +L. You appointed Mr. Bickford to the Cable Advisory Committee as part of the renewed cable contract between Comcast and the City of Holyoke, 2. You had previously appointed Mr. Bickford also to the Holyoke Cultural Council. 3, Holyoke Public Education and Government Access, Inc. for 13 years had three members on it; the ‘Mayor, the President of the Clty Council, and another elected officlal. Thelr role was to manage the franchise fees from the cable contract with the City. 4. In August 2015, you initiated a proposal to change the Officers and Directors of the Holyoke Publlc Education and Government Access, Ine, and rename it Holyoke Community Media, Ine. “HCMI") 5, You proposed ending the Cable Advisory Committee and had 6 of the 7 members of that Committee become Directors of HCMI. 6, Mr. Bickford was one of those 6 members. 7. HCMI now has 3 members who serve both as Officers and Directors. Mr. Bickford currently serves as both Director and Treasurer of HCMI. 8, Although the name has changed, the purpose of the Directors I the same; oversee the franchise license fees that the City of Holyoke collects from subscribers to Comcast as part of thelr cable service. 9. As Treasurer, Mr, Bickford currently oversees approximately $ 4 million dollars In cable franchise fees collected from the Holyoke taxpayers. Your argument that you have no authority over a position held by Mr. Bickford is vold of reality. Mr. Bickford is only a Director and Treasurer of HCMI because of your appointment as Mayor. All the other members of HCMI are there because of a previous appointment by you to the Cable Advisory ‘Committee. The revenue that HCMI oversees derives directly from the cable contract that the Mayor has authority over to negotiate. Hence, the funds of HCMI are controlled by the Mayor.Clearly you have been political allies with Mr. Bickford in the past when appointing him to several boards. And he has contributed $750 to your polltical campalgn this past fal. Nevertheless, Mr. Bickford’s inexcusable behavior demands a response. His repetitive sexvally threatening posts to my business website are reprehensible and speak to his character and judgment, ‘And your silence to those posts was deafening, No female, no business owner, should be subjected to the sexually aggressive posts from Mr. Blekford, This isa matter that cries out for leadership. Exerctse your Influence and remove Mr, Bickford immediately from the Holyoke Community Media, ne, which he serves on only because of your relationship with him. Very truly yours, oo CC: Peter Albert Wiliams Jennifer A MyszkowskiMAYOR ALEX B, MORSE CITY OF HOLYOKE February 2, 2016 Honorable City Councilor Jennifer Chateauneuf Holyoke City Council . City Hall Dear Councilor Chateauneuf: This letter is a response to your February 1 letter demanding the removal of James Bickford from governmental positions, James Bickford does not serve on any municipal boards, nor on any posi ich | have appointing authority. J look forward to working with you on issues important to the people of Holyoke, Sincerely, ey Wu (U2—— ‘Mayor Alex Morse ‘596 DWIGHT STREET « MAYOR'S OFFICE « HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS 01040-5019 PHONE: (412) 322-8510 + FAX: (413) 322-6621 + EMAIL: morsea@holyoKe.org Birthplace of Volleyball‘oorosis pUROWY [0], POTS WN SHONOH TS THMIOUON G7) pary S80 o0'0s9s eranyy ssepy tedojeaea| DPOTO WIN SHOMOHL 1S TORIOUON GL xory ‘28107 ovroois Teeanyy sseyy sadojnaq pioppig sures) S10Z/0ZIOI ATTY TuROwY TKO aT WoRETTIIO SUIPPVAUEN are SENOTMID UNV SUE] PIOPPG, SPH THEN ATNGUC AUTH “PHOIID WIS) (sunsey z) suonnqsauog yorees 4d90IDENTIFICATION No._010 GSO! El No Fee: RECEIVE Dire Commonwealth of Massachusetts To William Fre Galvi is AUG Secretary of Ma coasted 388g ee Ore Ashburton Place Room 1717, Boston, Massachuseus 02108-1512 naa nraeRsONSIA. One Ashburcon Place, Room 1717, Boson, Massachuscts CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS OF NON-PROFIT CORPORATIONS (General Laws, Chapter 180, Section 6D) 1, Jennifer A, Myszkowskl 1 "Clerc Shaseeane Che ‘og Holyoke Community Medla, Inc. ‘(Exact name of corporation) 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (Siete of ecrporaton in Masachsete) having a prineipal office ac ‘certify that pursuane vo General Laws, Chapter 180, Section 6D, a change inthe directors and/or the president, eeaturer and/or clerk of sid coxporation has been made and chat the name, residential address, and expiration of term of each director and the president, treasurer and clerk ate as follows: NAME RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS EXPIRATION OF ‘TERM OF OFFICE President: Peter Albert Wiliams 435 Pleasant St, Holyoke, MA 01040 TieaN6% Pack ‘Treasurer: James F. Bickford 78 Nonotuck St., Holyoke, MA 01040 Tr2iN6w® ne al Clerks Jennifer A. Myszkowskt 3 Saint James Ave,, Holyoke, MA 04040 Tieatb& aie ) *Assscant Clerk: Directors: Peter Albert Wiliams 495 Pleasant St, Holyoke, MA 01040 rate James F. Bickford 78 Nonoluck St., Holyoke, MA 01040 Te2iiet Jennifer A, Myszkowski 3 Saint James Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040 reanee Denis Luzuriaga 6 Pinehurst Re, Holyoke, MA 01040 raaiie e Mark Wotton 128 Allyn Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 Teenie Michael Hines Seine yoke, MA 01040 72h x f erowunygis 0 aye Argues "wo IS, 1 "Clerk /*Aesitane-GlerleIDENTIFICATION ro, 010628078 Filing Fee: $15.00 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts saa William Francis Galvin ml { Secretary of the Commonwealth ‘One Ashburton Place, Room 1717, Boston, Massachusetts 02108-1512 ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT (General Laws, Chapter 180, Section 7) Alex Morse We, , Peesident / ee Besdene sana_Kevin Jourdain aes : of_Holyake Public Education and Government Access, Inc. (Bact name of corporation) : Hs Tocwted ax 536 Dwight Slteet, Holyoke, MA 01040 : (dares of corporation in Masachusers) do hereby ety thac these Articles of Amendmene afecting articles numbered t ‘Nuober thse articles 1, 2, 3, andlor 4 being amended) ‘of the Articles of Organization were duly adopced at a meeting held on July 22 20 45__, by vote of. members, 2043 irecxors, or shareholders, D Being at least rwo-thirds of its members legally qualified cw vote in meetings of the corporation; OR. Being at lease ewo-thirds of its directors where there are no members pursuant to General Laws, Chapter 180, Section 3; OR C1 Inthe case of a corporation having capital stock, by the holders of at feast rwo-thieds of the capital stock having the right to vote cherein, Article | ‘The exact name of the corporation is: Holyoke Community Media, In.“The foregoing amendment() will become eetive when these Articles of Amendment are filed in aecordance with General Lavs, Chapter 180, Seton 7 unless cheseenticks specify, in accordance withthe vote adopting the amendment, a lazer effete date not more than thirty days fer such Gling, in which event the amendnenc wll become effecive on such late date, Later effective dt SIGNED UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, this 22 lp ose ce de alata gg phy neeThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts FEE: $15.00 ilar Fianets Gav ought ht ret Ono aanburon Paco, Room 17, Bos Mstachros 62108-1512 SSpssten 7 Sesto BA NS ancl Rept (9000 ANNUAL REPORT IDENTIFICATION NO. 01-0628078_ J. Filing for November 1, 2015 In compliance with the requlcements of Secon 268 of Chapter one hundrad and elghly (180) ofthe General Laws: 1 NAME: KOLYOKE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNNENT ACCESS INC. 2 ADDRESS: $36 DWIGHT STREET ROOM 2 ‘ean wT HOLYOKE MAL 01040 iar ay ir 3. DATE OF THELASTANNUALMEETING: JULY 22, s01S— 4 Wie eapoaon seamen capa, uct hol perp ae ands in tus an aiach a copy of wen green ‘stabilising te trl cheek approprlate box) Crags etm retaining en uaa arated I eae celica 5 Sola tho namas and addrossos of Ine president, easurr, clark, al least one clrecor ofthe corportion, and th date on which te term ‘of offee of each expres: (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) NAME OF OFFICE NAME ‘ADDRESSES EXPIRATION KEVIN JOURDAIN |HOLYOKE MA 01040 ovr cura 11 LINDEN STREET OF TERM OF Number, Stroot, City or Town, Sta and Zip Code OFFICE iT LINDEN STREET Prebideit: “"” 5 “|ALEXB MORSE. HOLYOKE, MA 01040 fom ew ]4 BRENSTER AVENUE Teodsurer KARA CUNHA EASTHAMPTON Ma 01027 or SEMEL 18 RAYMOND AVE lALEX B MORSE. [HOLYOKE MA 01040 foo ne ua of Directors) ]4 BREWSTER AVENUE KARA CONHA EASTHAMPTON Ma 01027 fons ve fo 118 RAYMOND AVE, KEVIN JOURDAIN HOLYOKE MA 01040 rename the undersigned ALEX MORSE belngthe PRESIDENT. ‘ofthe sbove-narnad corporation, in complance wih Gara Lave, Chapa 10, Reb cerily hat the Intra aboves Wp end corel as oe dates shown, [IWMTNESS HEREOF AND UNDER PENALTIES OF PERLURY, tema sgn anecn d efeait sayot 2015, see me— the ‘nover neo202016 Mayer Morse Announces Renewed Liconse with Comcast ily of Hayek NEWS Mayor Morse Announces Renewed License with Comcast Mayor Alex Morse announced the renewal of the City of Holyoke's ten year license with cable television provider Comcast Communications. The agreement includes several new provisions, including senior discounts, a substantial increase in percentage of Gross Annual Revenue received to fund the annual operations of public, educational and government ("PEG") Access programming, @ new community public access station, and an Increase in the amount of funding allocated for PEG access purposes. The previous ten year license term expired on October 27, 2013 and in anticipation of this deadline Mayor Morse hosted several federally-required public hearings to allow residents to provide testimony on future cable-related needs. Using the community input gathered, the City forwarded the results to Comcast in the form of a Request for Proposal, or RFP. The RFP informed Comcast of the kinds of services and facilities that the City expected to be provided during the renewal term. The City hired Epstein & August LLP, a firm specializing in cable TV contracts, to negotiate on behalf of Holyoke. In addition, the process established the Cable Advisory Committee, to which Mayor Morse appointed Al Williams, Jennifer Myszkowski, Mark Wotton, Michael Hines, Rob Deza, Denis Luzuriaga, and James Bickford, Under the renewed license, this Committee will serve as the Board of Directors to oversee the new community PEG Access Station. “1m extremely pleased with the results of these negotiations and what it means for the City of Holyoke,” Mayor Alex Morse said. “The community was clear about wanting the same kinds of benefits that other communities have received, and | have negotiated a license that will benefit Holyoke cable subscribers for years to come. Under these conditions, Holyoke will finally have a true PEG Access station that will allow residents to create their own shows and programming which will, in turn, increase civic engagement.” Under the renewed license, Comcast has agreed to provide the following 1, Senior discounts: + Allseniors currently receiving a discount will continue to be grandfathered for the existing discount; + Newly qualified seniors will be eligible for a $2,00 discount off the Digital Starter Tier based on the following criteria: Iipshuvwhayokeorgewsimayer-morse-ancurces-revawedicensa-wilv-comces naen016 Maye Morse Amaunces Renewed Ucenso th Camco] Cyc Hayate * Age 65 or older; * Head-of-Household; * Eligible for Medicaid and/or SSI 2. Quarterly payments to the City for PEG Access/Cable-Related funding as follows: + 4% of its Gross Annual Revenues ("GAR") (plus fees) for Years 1 & 2; (approximately $400,000) + 4.5% of its GAR for Years, 3, 4 & 5; (approximately $450,000) + 5% of its GAR for Years 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 (approximately $500,000) + Under the 2003 Renewal license, the City received 1.5% of Its GAR which totaled to approximately $126,000 per year. In contrast, annual funding in the new license will increase the City’s revenue to approximately $400,000 in the first year alone. + This funding will enable the Holyoke PEG Access non-profit entity to produce more local programming for Holyoke cable subscribers, train more citizens to use the PEG Access equipment, work with the Holyoke schools and students to produce educational programming, ete. 3. Comcast will provide a total of $603,000.00 for PEG Access capital purposes, an Increase from the 2003 license, which provided $25,000 for capital purposes 4. A third downstream PEG Access Channel that will be available for community use + Comcast will provide an upstream digital connection from the new PEG access studio to a Comcast hub or headend site + Holyoke residents will have increased opportunities to create their own programming that will be caiblecast on the new public access station, + Create five new Job opportunities Pictured above with the Mayor, from L to R, are members of the Cable Advisory committee: James Bickford, Al Williams, Mayor Morse, Denis Luzurlaga, and Michael Hines Posted on March 4, 2014 by tromboletti Iitpiawunholyeke orginenshmayer.merse-enrcunces-reneuedslcense-ni-comcasl