Rules on satellite reception foil effort to get Russian-language broadcasts
By: Courtney Gross
For certain residents of Redding Circle, something seems to be missing. That something, and often a common appendage to homes, are satellite dishes.
Because of regulations by Princeton Borough’s Housing Authority, satellite dishes may only be installed on property within tenants’ "exclusive use or control," such as balconies, decks or patios.
For nearly a year, Olga Greenfield, a former resident of Princeton whose mother-in-law lives in Redding Circle, has been lobbying the authority to change its regulations so Redding Circle residents a public-housing development without the necessary porches could purchase and install satellite dishes.
Most residents seeking the regulation’s revision, Ms. Greenfield said, are Russian immigrants who would like to watch television in their native language.
So far, her attempts have been unsuccessful.
In a letter to the authority from the end of November Ms. Greenfield states, "The whole situation makes me believe that the (authority’s board is) just another group of bureaucrats whose main objective is to do nothing. They could have undertaken a simple act of making a simple decision long ago, but they prefer to invent obstacles."
Despite the permitted use of satellite dishes in other public housing developments in Princeton, such as Princeton Community Village, the housing authority adopted regulations in 2003 that prohibit tenants from installing the devices in areas owned by the authority, including roofs or walkways.
The authority oversees affordable housing developments in both Princeton Township and Princeton Borough, including Redding Circle and Karin Court in the township and Spruce Circle, Clay Street, and Maple and Franklin Terraces in the borough.
Many of the residents requesting allowances for the dishes are elderly, Ms. Greenfield said, without a solid grasp of the English language. And, she added, the improved access to satellite dishes in the community could allow other immigrants to receive international programming.
"In Redding Circle there might be other ethnic minorities that might want this, but no one represents their interests," Ms. Greenfield said.
Several times this year, Ms. Greenfield said, she has requested the Housing Authority allow the dishes or investigate other options for the non-English speaking residents.
Housing Authority Executive Director Scott Parsons said he has approached Princeton’s cable provider Patriot Media several times in an attempt to convince the company that the high number of immigrants living in Princeton warrants the addition of several Russian-speaking channels. Patriot Media, Mr. Parsons said, declined to consider the Russian programming.
Patriot Media offers Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Italian and French channels.
Currently, the executive director said, the authority’s guidelines are in line with Federal Communication Commission regulations. But, he added, the authority does have complete discretion to change and set local policy.
Although the Housing Authority’s board could revise the regulations, it is currently investigating other remedies, Mr. Parsons said.
A matter of discussion at several meetings recently, Mr. Parsons said the authority is looking into whether Verizon FiOS TV currently planned for installation in some areas of Princeton could provide the Russian programming.
"It’s not something that’s been shut down. … The board understands the importance of these residents keeping in touch with this culture," Mr. Parsons said.
"The residents of Redding Circle or Spruce Circle or anywhere in Princeton should be able to get the channels," he added.

