The West Dade Federation of Homeowners Associations (WDFHA) has formed a cable negotiating committee in an attempt to enter into a mutually beneficial contract with one of Doral's cable companies, either Media One or Strategic Technologies.

Doral Colony, who enlisted the help of the federation to deal with the two companies, led the initiative in order to secure a contract price that the entire community can benefit from.

Jesse Jones, a vice president of the WDFHA, said, "Media One was dealing with Doral Colony and suggested that the best interests of the community might be served by negotiating in volume."

It was under the leadership of Jones that Doral Colony, a part of Doral Estates, was able to renegotiate the most favorable rate in the community several years ago.

Besides Jones, the other members of the committee include Cable Negotiating Committee Chair Lynn Hernandez, WDFHA Cable Committee Chair Barbara Talbot, WDFHA Vice President Odel Torres, and John T. Sullivan.

The members of the committee live in communities as diverse as Doral itself, including Doral Estates, Doral greens, Doral Sands, Doral Woods, Doral House 1, and Doral Lakes.

The committee is looking to include any associations whose contracts are coming up within the next several years; according to the data acquired by the Tribune that amounts to over 1500 units in 15 different communities.

Numerous associations have switched to Strategic Technologies in the last several years because of ongoing problems with the service provided by Media One.

However, Media One is currently replacing their existing system, installing fiber optic cable to service the Doral area, a move which has made them a viable competitor for the market.