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r r <br /> Commissioner Insko asked for clarification concerning the <br /> differences in proposed telephone charges. She was assured that <br /> this issue would be clarified during this public hearing. <br /> Ms. Ar ianna Hoffman, a student at New Hope Elementary School, <br /> spoke in favor of EAS. She stated that she is required to call her <br /> parents collect if she is ill at school or needs to talk to them. <br /> Also she and her classmates are often not allowed to call each <br /> other because they live in different calling areas. Being able to <br /> call friends and talk for extended periods of time is important to <br /> children her age. She asked that the Utilities Commission take her <br /> comments into account. <br /> Ms. Miriam Murdock stated that her phone is on the Mebane <br /> exchange although her address is Chapel Hill. This phone system <br /> divides the members of her church, volunteer groups and friends <br /> into toll calls and non-toll calls. The League of Women Voters and <br /> the Extension Home Makers Club, to which she belongs, also have <br /> members in each calling area. She can not call her Congressman <br /> without making a toll call. Lastly, she feels that the homebound <br /> aged are the most severely affected by this phone system. They <br /> simply cannot afford to call for business or pleasure. <br /> Mr. Ava Ferrell indicated that government employees should <br /> consider the amount of time they spend on the telephone and the <br /> expense created by a divided telephone system. <br /> Mr. C. E. Squires, a Mebane resident, spoke against EAS. He <br /> indicated that he has no interest in calling anyone outside of his <br /> calling area and is not willing to pay an increase in order for <br /> others to have this privilege. <br /> Mr. Alois Callemyn spoke in favor of EAS. He indicated that <br /> he owns a local business with customers in Hillsborough and Chapel <br /> Hill. He indicated that this fragmented system is a great <br /> hinderance to his business. <br /> Hillsborough Mayor Horace Johnson spoke in favor of this <br /> proposal. He stated that it is important to the citizens that the <br /> phone system step out of the dark ages. It is important to be able <br /> to call from the northern to the southern part of the county. A <br /> phone call to a homebound person often means more to them than the <br /> prescription that their doctor writes. These antiquated phone <br /> systems divide the citizens of Orange County. <br /> Mr. Ralph Warren, Chairman of the Orange County School Board, <br /> spoke in favor of this proposal. The effect of having many phone <br /> systems in Orange county is that students, teachers, and school <br /> volunteers have difficulty in reaching each other. Many phone <br /> calls are simply not made and the ones that are made are often cut <br /> short because of the expense. <br /> Ms. Rebecca Clark spoke in favor of this proposal. She <br /> LIIMMIIIIMMENIMMINIMEMINE=1.11MEMIMMIIII <br />