The proposed merger between Verizon and FairPoint Communications is nothing more than a risky corporate scheme designed to benefit Verizon shareholders at the expense of Maine customers and businesses.

Verizon is looking to abandon its responsibilities to its customers in Maine by selling off its telephone lines to a much smaller company. This company, FairPoint, has neither the working capital nor the financial incentive to keep pace with technological innovations as they come on line.

While the rest of the nation upgrades to high-speed fiber optic cable, Maine will be stuck with aging copper lines. As a state, we can’t afford to let that happen. Our jobs and our future economic development demand that we keep pace with these innovations.

It’s time for the folks in Augusta to stand up and protect our interests.

Michael Beecy, Auburn