The year is 1998, thirteen years have passed, MTN has thrived, many faces have come and gone, some remain. We are producer rich and have been successful in spreading our gospel of make your own television. Unfortunately our video equipment is not like our community producers, it does not get better with time and experience. The Hitachi Z-31's still meet the challenge of daily productions in both of our studio's. However their age is showing.

MTN is a non-profit organization created by the City of Minneapolis and partially funded through the franchise fees Paragon Cable pays the city for cable right of way privileges. In our early days the franchise agreement also called for equipment funds for MTN. But as we move into the sunset years of the franchise (it expires in 2004) we no longer have a yearly equipment allocation. Our Chief Engineer Jim Derks has done a fantastic job of keeping MTN'S equipment operational. Yet he can only work miracles so long. We need you, our members, to understand this situation, and to help us as we seek creative ways to replace our video equipment.

In 1998 we will be contracting with a fundraising consultant to explore foundation support for MTN equipment needs. We have sold our conduit across the James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge and will be using those funds to purchase new chip cameras and camera control units in Studio A. They should be in place by spring of 1998. We have increased our youth training program during the day hours and will use this revenue to buy four new entry level cameras. We are working hard to try to keep MTN fully operational.

What can you do to help?? You can make a donation or ask a friend to contribute, MTN is a tax deductible non-profit, make checks payble to, MTN EQUIPMENT FUND, we will make sure it goes back into service for you. You can also be kind to the equipment we do have and when there is a problem give our staff detailed information about what the problem is. Make sure your membership is paid and up to date, a MTN membership is a partnership that benefits both you and MTN. Finally, keep producing community programming and watch our channels. MTN is your Community Television Station and together we can continue to make it one of the best in the country.