CITY, ADELPHIA REACH TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Adelphia Cable officials announced a tentative settlement Tuesday that could require the cable company to set a lower basic rate to settle scores of complaints. ``Adelphia customers have put up with poor service and excessive charges for too long,'' said Councilman Jack Weiss Jack Weiss, is a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 5th district. Weiss was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2005. The 5th district includes parts of the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. , who chairs the council's Information Technology and General Services Committee. ``This will save consumers money, and I will keep the pressure on Adelphia to provide better service.'' Adelphia and the city have had disputes going back more than a dozen years, with the most recent accusations involving overcharges to customers. Adelphia was forced to give a refund to customers two years ago. Adelphia also owed money to the city, but paid it a year ago. In addition, there have been complaints that Adelphia was slow in providing high-speed Internet See broadband. service. Councilman Eric Garcetti Eric Garcetti (born 1971) is the son of former Los Angeles county district attorney Gil Garcetti, and was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2001. He was reelected in 2005. , who worked with Weiss on the proposal, said he felt the settlement was important for poorer families and older residents on fixed incomes. ``This gives consumers real choices and low prices,'' Garcetti said. ``It's a testament to the voices of cable users, neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. and city government.'' Under the proposed settlement, a new basic tier will be created costing $12 a month compared with the current rate of $33. Adelphia will also reduce its infrastructure surcharge An overcharge or additional cost. A surcharge is an added liability imposed on something that is already due, such as a tax on tax. It also refers to the penalty a court can impose on a fiduciary for breaching a duty. from $2.35 a month to 25 cents a month over the next 12 years. The company also agreed to a two-year moratorium A suspension of activity or an authorized period of delay or waiting. A moratorium is sometimes agreed upon by the interested parties, or it may be authorized or imposed by operation of law. on increases to its basic tiers of service. Adelphia officials also praised the settlement. ``This rate agreement is something that will benefit all the parties involved - the city and its residents, Adelphia and its customers,'' said Tom Carlock, vice president of Adelphia. The settlement is still subject to confirmation by the city Information Technology Committee. Adelphia is the largest cable company in the city, with a base of some 235,000 customers. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com |
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