Nearly 90 percent of letters to NH Public Utilities Commission oppose sale of Verizon to FairPoint

Concord, NH – With just a few weeks remaining before a decision is expected by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission on the proposed sale of Verizon to FairPoint Communications, an analysis of the correspondence sent to the Commission shows that public comments on the sale are overwhelmingly opposed to the deal.

Jobs with Justice -- a community coalition that supports employment rights -- obtained copies of all comments received by the PUC on the sale. As of November 16, the commission had received a total of 252 letters and emails taking a position on the proposed sale. A surprising 225 comments, or almost 90 percent were against the sale while only 27 were for it. Another 10 comments expressed concerns, but did not take a position either for or against the proposed sale.

Many of the letters were from state and local elected officials. Sixty-two or 97 percent of the 64 comments submitted by elected officials opposed the sale while only two were in favor.

“As the Commissioners deliberate, we really hope they will take into consideration the wisdom of the people of New Hampshire,” said Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO. “A clear majority of citizens are very concerned that this sale is not in the public’s interest.”

A public opinion poll conducted in early Sept. by Fingerhut Granados Opinion Research for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America showed that in the northern states, New Hampshire had the highest level of opposition to the proposed deal with 38 percent against to 18 percent in favor. When survey respondents learned more about the deal, opposition rose to 70 percent.

For a copy of the Jobs with Justice report summarizing public comments at the New Hampshire PUC, please contact Rand Wilson at the above number or by email at rand@mindspring.com.

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.