Manalapan cable station developing programming

MANALAPAN - The township's fledgling cable television enterprise is being launched with the development of programming for both the township Health and Recreation departments.

The Channel 77 cable access channel, which recently became up and running, now features running slides that announce upcoming events.

Addressing the members of the governing body Sept. 27, Cable Television Committee members Jan Zachary and Mark Levy received approval from the governing body to go ahead with developing programming for both township departments.

Zachary told the officials they already had about 15 volunteers ready to help launch the effort. According to Zachary, several of the individuals are employed in the television industry. They would need about $1,200 in "starter costs" and requested some studio space in a basement area he said was being used for storage.

Assistant Township Administrator Tara Lovrich said a recent cleaning had freed space and there would likely be the space Zachary said he and his production people would need.

Township Attorney James Kinneally said a written policy needed to be drafted and adopted that delineated practices and policies, which would be enacted and enforced by the township's production company.

Kinneally made the suggestion following a disclosure by Levy that he had already denied the Ancient Order of Hibernians the right to announce their upcoming events on the township television site.

Levy said he did so because he was aware of annual conflicts involving the group over the years, due to their refusal to let gay groups participate in New York City's St. Patrick's Day parade.