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I'm sure that there are plenty of us who have often felt like the Manassas, Va., woman who recently took an unusual (and illegal) form to express her dissatisfaction with her cable company's service.

According to the news article, the servicemen had failed to show up on the appointed day to install combined phone, cable and Internet service. When they did show up, two days later, they left half the job undone, and then two days after that, all services were cut off.

So the woman and her husband went that day to the local company office to speak to the manager. They were told to wait — on a bench outside in the August heat. They waited two hours before the service representative finally stuck her head out the door and informed the couple that the manager had left for the day.

After contemplating this outrage for a couple of days, the woman decided to return to the cable company office and express her feelings — with a hammer. Needless to say, the local constabulary arrived and put her in handcuffs.

Now, I'm duty bound to state that no matter how mad we get at such service atrocities, it's against the law to act out our feelings with hammers, blow torches, dynamite, etc. But by golly, I can understand her feelings.

So a recent announcement by Howard County councilwoman Jen Terrasa is welcome news. The council is addressing concerns they've heard about local cable companies' lack of responsiveness to customers' needs for service and repair.

Council Bill 60-2009 would require companies operating cable franchises in Howard County to maintain their equipment in a way that causes minimal interference with property owners. It would require companies to ensure that cabinets are properly secured and bolted and that temporary lines be buried within 15 days of installation. If a cable company needs an extension, it would have to notify in writing the impacted home or business owner if an extension is requested. One crucial part of this legislation is it allows the Cable Administrator to impose civil penalties for violations of the Howard County Cable Television Systems Franchise Act.

Council Bill 60-2009 will be formally introduced on Monday. To view the bill, go to http://www.co.ho.md.us

/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB60-2009.pdf. The public hearing for this legislation will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Board of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042. If you wish to testify in person before the council on this bill, you may use the electronic sign-up as of Nov. 3. Visit the council's home Web page at http://www.co.ho.md.us

/CountyCouncil/CC_HomePage.htm and click on "Testify" button to the left.

For those who cannot attend in person, the sessions will be televised on GTV. In addition, you can watch the sessions live online at http://www.co.ho.md.us/County

Council/CC_Watch_The_Council.htm. Written comments can be sent by e-mail to jterrasa@howardcoun

tymd.gov or to the entire council at councilmail@howardcountymd.gov. Or you can speak by phone to Jen Terrassa or her assistant, Mary Clay, at 410-313-2001.

Don't forget the two fall festivals this Saturday. One is at the Carroll Baldwin Hall, from 1 to 4 p.m., with a hay ride, pumpkin painting, karaoke, hot coffee, cider and pie. Bring old clothes to make and dress a scarecrow. This event is sponsored by the Savage Community Association.

The other is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Savage United Methodist Church, 8901 Washington St. in Savage, rain or shine (the event is indoors), for children kindergarten through fifth grade. There will be games, food, costume contests, door prizes, face painting, and a moon bounce. Contact the church at 301-725-3944 for more information.

The Savage Community Association meeting is 7 p.m. Monday at the Carroll Baldwin Hall, corner of Baltimore and Foundry Streets. All community members are welcome to attend. Contact President Travis Clever at 301-725-6760 for more information.