GLOCESTER -- Everyone from senior citizens to the Glocester Light Infantry could soon be providing local televised entertainment and information to area residents, if the Town Council is successful in its bid to begin using the town's production studio.
Cox Communications has had a studio on Pinewood Park that has not been operational, said Councilman Peter A. Ruggieri, but instead serves only as a storage area.
"We found that there was a need for the studio in the town," said Ruggieri, who runs the local program Chepachet Chatter out of a studio in Johnston.
Under state Public Utilities Commission rules, Cox must provide a production studio within 15 miles of the center of each service area. Cox has 11 studios throughout the state.
Ruggieri said the Chepachet studio, open since 1996, hasn't been available to the town. But Cox spokeswoman Leigh Ann Woisard said the studio is open to the public by appointment.
She said she was not aware of any producers working out of the studio or requests to use it.
The council has sent a letter to Cox to find out how to get the studio running. Ponaganset High School teacher Ross McCurdy has also expressed interest in getting students involved in production.
"It's really a win-win situation," McCurdy said. "People care about the community. If they could see their kids doing this stuff, they'd be more inclined to get cable."
McCurdy helps students in audio-visual production during school concerts and the morning announcements, but hopes to expand the audience from the high school to all the surrounding communities.
Glocester's show, Chepachet Chatter, features students talking about high school sports, a hunting and fishing report, the town historian and even some comedy, Ruggieri said. About 21 people are involved with the show, which recently won four awards from Public Educational and Government access -- the equivalent of a local Emmy.
Now more residents want to get involved. Ruggieri said several groups have expressed interest, including senior citizens, the Heritage Society and amateur filmmakers. Even surrounding communities have contacted him, he said.
Ruggieri said students could apply for scholarship money in the production field, and take on projects such as Hope High School's show, produced weekly by students.
