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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...a7997463194.txt

ALCO gives update to city officials

By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Michigan City Board of Works members were updated Monday on the state of ALCO, La Porte County’s public access television station.

Jerry Cooley, chairman of the ALCO board, said that the station is supported in part by Michigan City and La Porte County and has rolling contracts with them every three years, which is why he was providing the update.

ALCO expects to provide an audit of the organization in the next few months, Cooley said. The audit will be performed by Applegate CPS of Michigan City.“I want to make sure everybody is proud of ALCO,” Cooley said. He would like to see it expand its services with local news, educational programs and weather, in addition to its current government and local programs. He recently met with radio and television stations to get ideas. One was Channel 56, a PBS station in Merrillville.

“If I can get some free advice from everybody, and I think that’s good to do and move forward,” he said.Cooley said he learned that to start up a new station with all new, state-of-the-art equipment could cost $300,000.

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Underwriters sponsor many PBS programs and it would also mean reaching out to the community for support. He also reported that the lease at the IBEW location in Michigan City is working out because it also provides maintenance and electrical upgrades at the station.

ALCO added four new board members last month in an effort to reach out to the community. Cooley would like to see a local pastor added to the board after meeting with some pastors last week. Some churches air programs at the station.“We’re contractors to the city and county,” Cooley said, who added that he volunteers his time for the ALCO board.

ALCO technician contractors are also very dedicated, working long hours, and on Sundays and holidays, Cooley said. Those previously classified as contractors receiving 1099 tax statements are now classified as employees with tax deductions, he said.