Groups turn in more than 2,600 postcards from people opposing sale of Verizon to FairPoint

Message to the Governor: “Don’t let Vermont take a wrong turn on the information superhighway!”

Montpelier, VT – Showing the growing opposition to the proposed sale of Verizon to FairPoint Communications, a delegation of citizens delivered more than 2,600 postcards in a wheelbarrow to Governor Douglas asking him to oppose the sale. David O'Brien, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service received the cards on behalf of the Governor.

The group was composed of elected representatives, first responders, seniors, small business owners and telephone workers -- all of whom want to make sure that Governor Douglas gets the message: Stop the Sale! The post cards ask the Governor to “take a strong stand against allowing Verizon to sell its assets to FairPoint.” Several State Senators and Representatives also attended.

Just prior to delivering the cards, several speakers -- reflecting diverse viewpoints against the sale -- briefed the news media in the Cedar Creek Room at the State House.

“Vermont is in dire need of broadband access for every business and household -- not someday, not maybe, and not when Verizon or FairPoint gets around to it, but rather as soon as possible,” said State Senator Vince Illuzzi. “The Public Service Board should either apply conditions to a sale that requires FairPoint to make broadband services available to all of its customers within a reasonable period, or reject the Verizon / FairPoint deal as now proposed.” Illuzzi is Chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee.

“Businesses increasingly rely on their broadband Internet connections to stay in business and succeed,” said Ron Lewis, founder and co-owner of Computer Care in Colchester. “FairPoint has indicated that its plan is to bring DSL access -- and only DSL -- to the majority of Vermonters. DSL is not state of the art technology. Fiber optics is today’s best technology and that is what Vermont deserves. We cannot settle for a company that promises to deliver only yesterday’s technology. Burlington Telecom is already delivering Internet, phone and television service via fiber and it will be well positioned for the future. All of Vermont deserves the same, or nearly so.” Computer Care provides IT support services to small businesses and individuals primarily in northwest and central Vermont.

“When seconds count, Vermont’s citizens depend on firefighters and emergency medical technicians,” said Matt Vinci, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont. “In order to assess the risk of any emergency, we need reliable information. We depend upon a high quality ‘information superhighway’ to obtain it. The proposed FairPoint acquisition of Verizon’s northern New England properties poses risks that your firefighters do not want to take. Years ago we had “Ma Bell,” then we had the “Baby Bells.” Fire fighters in this state are concerned that if this acquisition goes through, then we are going to have “Tinker Bell!”

“High speed Internet can help senior citizens live independently, improve our quality of life and reduce the cost of care,” said John Bloch, Vice President of the Vermont chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “Especially in Vermont, long distances often separate friends and family. For seniors, both physical and financial concerns can make long trips difficult. High speed Internet connections can help connect us to friends, family, medical and social assistance, and the larger world. Seniors need to have improved access to the information superhighway. We do not want to have our future access to high speed Internet left to a company that is already on very shaky ground!” Block is also President of the Board of Montpelier’s Onion River Community Access.

“As a 22-year telephone company employee, I have learned a lot about this business,” said Mike Spillane, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2326. “FairPoint is just not in the same league as Verizon with regards to assets, technology, resources and stability. Thousands of Vermonters across the state recognize this and with these postcards have showed their concern. We are honored to bring their voices to the state capitol and hope that our elected officials will listen to the people.”

Opponents of the sale have sought to get as many elected officials as possible to voice their views, so the postcards were addressed to the Governor. “Even though the Vermont Public Service Board will make the final decision, its decision hinges on whether or not this deal is in the ‘public good.’ Who better than the Governor to weigh in on what’s in the public good?” said CWA Stop-the-Sale Campaign Coordinator Ralph Montefusco.

“We went to state fairs and shopping malls to talk with the public and gather signatures for many of these post cards,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center/Jobs with Justice, a coalition that organizes for workers' rights and living wages for all Vermonters. “We found that the majority of people still hadn’t heard about the proposed sale. When they did, they understood just how risky FairPoint could be and were eager to sign.”

Photos from the post card event may be viewed at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/VermontPostcardEvent

More information about why citizens are mobilizing to stop the Verizon sale to FairPoint is at: www.stopthesalenow.org and www.no-deal.org. For information about ending the digital divide visit: www.speedmatters.org.