Phones

Phones

We urge everyone who has received a survey form from Centel on the proposed increase in basic telephone service charges to be able to call Culpeper numbers to vote “yes.”

Although the amount, $4.48, to increase the basic rate to $12.93 plus various taxes and other charges seems steep, we feel it will be a useful first step to bringing a sensible resolution to the telephone problems of this county where many residents cannot call their county offices.

While it hardly seems fair that Washington and Flint Hill telephone customers should pay a higher basic service charge for the same calling area as Sperryville, it seems to be the result of higher costs associated with Centel when compared to C&P.

It would be better if the people on the 675 telephone exchange could vote only on the increased costs to call people who actually live in Rappahannock County. However the ancient history of how telephone lines were laid in the county seems to get into the way.

Rappahannock residences and commercial buildings have been assigned 937 and 547 telephone numbers. Although some of these structures are less that three miles from Washington and many more miles from Culpeper, C&P classifies these as Culpeper numbers. Thus the change in rates is to reach all Culpeper numbers.

The next step will be to petition to have 636 and 635 telephone exchanges included in the 675 calling area. That will require an additional increase in rates, but again will help give all Rappahannock county residents true access to their county government.

* Colonial Christmas

An enormous amount of effort and anguish have gone into preparations for this weekend’s Colonial Christmas celebration in Washington.

We hope when all the dust has cleared Sunday evening, those involved will feel it has been worthwhile.

The goal is not only to provide an enjoyable event for visitors, but also to provide an opportunity for residents of the town and county to have a way of launching the season that emphasizes the fun and spiritual aspects of Christmas over its commercial aspects.

While there will be plenty of opportunities to spend money in town, much will be free, from pictures with Santa compliments of the Rappahannock Lions Club, to tours of the town in its Christmas finery, to the chance to sip mulled cider while watching the Colonial Dancers.

Even those activities that cost money have a different flavor than the season’s mall shopping. Buying goodies baked and packaged by the employees of The Inn at Little Washington to help provide scholarships for high quality child care, purchasing tickets to see your neighbors enact ancient Nativity plays, searching for the perfect gift from vendors in a community parish hall, and sampling goodies from our renowned restaurants help remind us that this season and every season Rappahannock County is a very special place.