SAN FERNANDO : Firm Pulls Out of Cable Negotiations

West Valley Cablevision Industries, which has tried for six months to obtain the franchise to provide cable service to San Fernando residents, has pulled out of the deal, officials said Tuesday.

Lee Alpert, an attorney representing the Chatsworth-based firm, informed the City Council that the firm’s parent company has decided not to buy Valley Cable TV, blaming the sudden decision on protracted negotiations on the transfer of the franchise.

In past weeks, city officials and cable company representatives tried to hammer out an agreement to allow the sale of the franchise and assets from Valley Cable to Cablevision. By Monday, city officials said there was one outstanding issue, a disagreement over the amount of money needed to upgrade Valley Cable’s programming facility that allows public access to cable.

Alpert said Valley Cable, which serves 2,600 households in San Fernando, will continue operations as usual and will be open to other buyers.

In other action, the council selected Dan Acuna to serve as mayor during an annual reorganization of the largely ceremonial post. Acuna, a realtor and council member since 1986, was mayor once before. Ray Ojeda was selected mayor pro tem.