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Resident criticizes city manager’s handling of JATV governance, urges council oversight
Summary
During public comment, Cassandra Pope accused the city manager of removing JATV oversight from the City Council and urging restoration to the Hedberg Public Library Board or a citizen-led committee.
Cassandra Pope told the Janesville Common Council during public comment that the city’s government access channel, JATV, has become “dated and limited” because of funding shortfalls and what she described as a problematic transfer of oversight. Pope said council in 2012 delegated Cable Advisory Committee responsibilities to the Hedberg Public Library Board, and she argued that authority remains with the council.
Pope said the city manager has taken control of JATV “on the sly behind closed doors” without council notice or public accountability and urged the council to stop the city manager from “usurp[ing]” council authority. She asked the council to restore oversight to the Hedberg Public Library Board or create a citizen-led committee to evaluate sustainable options for JATV’s future. Pope framed her remarks as a process and transparency concern rather than a personal attack.
Council members did not request immediate action during the public comment period; staff responses or follow-ups were not recorded in the public comment segment.
