GILROY
– Charter Communications expects to roll out all but one
”
nodes
”
or service areas in its Gilroy system rebuild project within the
next couple of weeks.
GILROY – Charter Communications expects to roll out all but one “nodes” or service areas in its Gilroy system rebuild project within the next couple of weeks.
John Adams, Charter’s area vice president, said in a report to the City Council last week that 28 of the city’s 31 “nodes” or service areas – or 92 percent of Gilroy’s customers – should now be able to receive the new channels available through the rebuild project.
Of the approximately 500 customers that remain, work on nodes 15 and 16 – in the Westwood/Third Street and Monte Bello Drive/Ortega Circle areas – has been “substantially completed” and the areas are anticipated to roll out in the next couple of weeks, Adams said last Monday.
Work on node 5 – surrounding the far northwest portion of Mantelli Drive – is expected to be done “soon thereafter,” he said.
The project is meant to offer Gilroyans options for expanded service such as 78 digital-quality channels, broadband Internet and premium movie packages.
Charter has also hired Jennifer Cunningham, an attorney and Gilroy resident, as the company’s new director of government affairs, Adams said. Cunningham’s father Brian was a former City Councilman here.
“She’s a primary contact you can rely on to resolve any issues the Council or customers might have,” he said.
Tired of ongoing delays and adjusted timelines in the rebuild project, last month the Council scheduled a special public comment workshop at Mayor Tom Springer’s urging to discuss the company’s performance.
While the rebuild work was supposed to be complete by Dec. 31, 2002, Charter officials said in January that about 55 percent was done.
They set an eight-week deadline but missed it with 87 percent of work complete in early April. Officials declined to quote new deadlines.
The meeting is slated for May 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
