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BOOK lJ E: ;r f 1. 46.58% of telephongruse. s1lace one or more calls per month to Fort Pierce. 2. 44.49% of telephone users in Fort Pierce place one or more calls per month to Vero Beach. 3. My interpretation is that the exchange of calls is significant. Pointedly, in the case of calls from Fort Pierce to Vero Beach, it would seem that a very high percentage would originate from the North Fort Pierce community. When the results of the study are correlated with the results of the petition drive --this hy- pothesis is sustained. 4. Southern Bell, according to Pyr. Poe, adopts a position of concern for the 55.51%of Tort Pierce residents and the 53.42% of Vero Beach residents who do not call between the two communities at all. However, some option must be available that could accomodate the divergent usage. Additionally, it may be argued that an equit- able plan mi#ht even increase telephone calling between the two communities. Be* Mr. Poe also informs that the President of the Southern Bell Telephone Company.has mandated a study --through his Vice -President in charge of the state of Florida. It appears that there have been problems, many similar to ours, through- out Florida and, indeed, throughout the Southern Bell system. Pursuant to this mandate, repre- sentatives throughout the state met in Miami on several occasions to come up with resolutions to these problems.. Newspaper reports substantiate that problems exist. While these "problems" have not been clarified, Mr. Poe did share with me one proposal to resolve our problems. The study group discussed an option plan whereby the telephone consumer could select from several options at a monthly charge per option --a few dollars per choice, and so much per call. This plan had several redeeming features. One would be a cost reduction for consumers willing to reduce their calling area. Another would be that the need for costly foreign lines would be reduced. The calling -option plan was rejected by Southern Bell (Atlanta. The study group continued -- and I have more recently been informed by Poe that a toll -pack plan will be offered. I had expected this., -plan to be out to the public by this time --but it has not been forthcoming. In summary, the petition calls for a more equitable plan for calling.contiguous neighborhoods, the telephone company recognizes a.problem exists, they indicate a study group is debating solutions --but in these many months --no resolution has been provided. 36