Saugus petition drive successful to place TV station question on ballot

SAUGUS – A group calling itself Saugus Concerned Citizens has met its goal to force a non-binding referendum about the management structure of Saugus Cable Television Station placed on the Nov. 5 ballot.”I couldn’t be happier,” said Chet Stentiford, a member of the citizens group. “I’m not sure of the exact amount of signatures but I know we got what we needed.”The group asked the Board of Selectmen in August to put a question on the ballot that asks voters, “Would you like to see Saugus Cable Television revert back to Saugus Community Television, a community operated organization, where you have a voice as opposed to a Board of Selectmen controlled operation?”The board shot down the request 3-2 with Selectmen Michael Serino, Stephen Horlick and Debra Panetta voting against the measure.Stentiford said he believed this effort to get the question on the ballot is the first time, at least in recent history, that a citizen’s group has taken a petition from the streets to the ballot.”At least not in that tight a time period,” said citizen’s group member Rich Garabedian. “It was a strenuous two and a half weeks, and certainly a monumental effort by a very dedicated group.”With a Monday deadline looming Garabedian said it took a great team effort to collect the remaining number of signatures needed, which totaled nearly 800.Stentiford admitted not everyone agreed with the proposal but, “more than the majority certainly flocked to us to sign. I hope the selectmen realize how ticked off people are.”Garabedian said he believes the group’s success in collecting the required signatures speaks to a desire by the voters to have that freedom of speech that comes with a community-run station.”I’m very excited,” he said.The goal now is to educate the public on the need for change, Stentiford said.”They wanted a fight and they got one,” he said. “We’re delighted. We’re one step closer to our goal.”Stentiford said if the question prevails in November but the board declines to take action he will be disappointed but not surprised. What he is truly hoping, however, is that there will also be a turnover on the Board of Selectmen in November and the new board will vote favorably to return the station to a community-run operation.”This was a great success in Saugus,” he said. “The people have a voice again.”