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PHJH «: Baumgardner also' eta-' phasized, tjiqt, tfie county’s economy depends largely on efficient and economical telephone service to and from adjacent communities.
“Breakdowns in long distance calling capability and excessive toll rates... impose a severe burden on the citizens of Rappahannock County and add significantly to the overall cost of living in our county.” he told the SCC.
Therefore, he asked that the SCC give serious consideration to requiring that toll-free calls be instituted both within the County of Rappahannock and to and from adjacent localities.
As differentiated from a categorical opposition to Centel's rate increase, Baumgardner noted that he was taking the same position as counsel for the city of Charlottesville, chief intervenor in the case; that being that any rate increase awarded to the utility be limited to a level sufficient to allow Centel to recover its costs as a public utility plus a “fair return” on its investment.
Rappahannock’s commonwealth’s attorney emphasized that customers in rural Rappahannock do not expect the quality of telephone service provided in metropolitan areas.
“However, we do believe that we are entitled to a minimal, adequate level of service. A public utility such as Centel has a statutory duty to provide ‘reasonably adequate service' to all citizens falling within its territory,” he reminded the members of the SCC.
“This level of service is not being met in Rappahannock County today.”
Baumgardner said on Tuesday that the SCC soon
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