At this moment, the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., is attempting to reverse rules that have been in place for several years. This change would allow the large national telephone giants to effectively end any competitive chance that the small independent telephone companies now rightfully enjoy.

The independent companies have, for many years (under acts once encouraged by the major companies), been able to lease the networks on a competitive basis. This new legislation, if passed, would end that.

I believe this would result in the independent companies being unable to compete and the state and, indeed, the nation would reverse the anti-monopolistic direction taken in 1984 by the breakup of “”Ma Bell.”” We would head back to the days of telephone service being provided only by the giants.

It is very important to provide and protect competitive opportunities for local telecommunications that are willing to provide service to the citizens of rural states like Maine.

I also believe, and have seen, a large talent pool within our own state of Maine government. I do not think we always need someone in Washington, D.C., to dictate our every move.

I shall always be an advocate of states’ rights, and cannot see where this proposed action by the FCC would do anything except refute that belief and statement of our own state and federal governments.

David A. Conary, Bryant Pond