Comment
I write to you today from one of our state¿s ¿ and the country¿s ¿ oldest centers for enterprise and industry, Rochester. I am proud to represent my lifelong home as City Councilman for the South District. The proposed transaction between Time Warner Cable and Comcast has attracted a lot of attention here in New York, and deserves to be fully considered. I write to you today to urge your approval of the transaction so that Rochester residents, and New Yorkers across the state, can be empowered by Comcast¿s innovative and dedicated service. My area is currently served by Time Warner Cable, but would receive Comcast coverage following the approval of the transaction. I am lucky to represent my community not just locally, but on the national stage. Through my experience with the National League of Cities, and as the vice president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, I¿ve heard about Comcast¿s track record of serving the public good in communities like mine. I am particularly impressed by Comcast¿s policies and programs for our minority and underserved communities. I understand that the company has extensive diversity initiatives that stretch from internal hiring practices to business and home services delivered to millions of Americans. Comcast has led the way by being repeatedly rated as a top workplace for women and people of color. Moreover, minorities are visible and active in leadership positions. Last year, I hear that people of color accounted for 40% of hires and promotions into VP positions. These inspiring minority leaders then work with diverse vendors to deliver engaging and representative programs. Since the transaction with NBCUniversal, I¿ve learned that Comcast has increased spending with ethnic minority owned vendors by over 80%. That type of investment leads to the array of over 160 independently owned channels, including networks started by New York¿s very own, like Sean Combs¿ Revolt Network. I work with an incredibly diverse district. Commitments like these allow me to help realize my ultimate aim of ensuring representation for all Rochesterians of all colors, creeds, and classes. In challenged urban areas like Rochester, many residents lack Internet access. This digital divide threatens to shut our neediest citizens out from job opportunities, educational offerings, and valuable medical information that all can transform lives. I¿ve heard about the tremendous work Comcast has done through its Internet Essentials program to help close the gap in access. I understand that the initiative has connected over 350,000 families nationwide to Comcast internet services, all at low costs. I¿m the executive director of an after school program, Quad A for Kids. We see every day that a 21st century education is around the clock, collaborative, and based on global connections that the Internet can provide. Our children shouldn¿t lose the opportunities posed by that education because they lack the means to connect at home. With the community partnership programs built through Internet Essentials, like Digital Connectors and the establishment of Learning Zones, children and families can not only connect, but organize their communities for greater opportunity. Please approve this transaction to help give our residents the access they need to cutting-edge technology and jobs and a cutting-edge education. Sincerely, Adam McFadden, South District City Councilmember