Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 10, 1993 TAG: 9301080167
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PLEASE VOTE TO END TOLL CALLS TO PILOT AREA
Approximately 200 homes in the Pilot area of Montgomery County are within the boundary of Locust Grove Telephone Co. of Floyd County. Each time residents call their school, county offices, sheriff's department or emergency services, they must pay a toll charge.For years, people in this area have tried to get this problem eliminated.
A short time ago, petitions were circulated and sent to the State Corporation Commission, which directed Citizens Telephone Cooperative of Floyd County to survey Locust Grove customers to see if a majority were willing to pay an increase in their monthly bills to call Christiansburg 381 and 382 numbers on a local basis. When the vote was taken, the majority voted yes.
However, for the connection to be made and the problem eliminated, people who live in Christiansburg 381 and 382 boundaries must also approve the proposal.
On Jan. 22, C&P Telephone Co. will notify 2,000 customers in this area of Christiansburg that there will be an additional charge for residential customers with flat rate service of 9 cents and business customers of .31 cents per month. These customers could call all 651 telephone numbers without a toll charge.
There are approximately 1,000 homes and businesses in the 651 exchange (200 in Montgomery County and 800 in Floyd County), therefore creating potential for increased business by telephone in the Christiansburg area.
Those customers who do not have family in the 651 area are affected indirectly. Now, each time our school or county offices have to call the 200 homes in this area of Montgomery County, they have to pay a toll charge. If the proposal passes, this tax money could be saved.
If you receive a ballot from C&P, please vote yes and help us improve the quality of communication in our county.\ Judy McNeil Pilot