To the editor:

I am confused by your news story in Wednesday’s Record (June 4) and some “buzz” on-line welcoming Sprint as a competitor to Whidbey Telecom for local phone service on South Whidbey.

Why would we want “Big Box Telecom” on South Whidbey anymore than we would want Wal-Mart, McDonald’s or Starbucks? Just like those national chains, Sprint will give us impersonal customer service from Anywhere, U.S.A. or India, and then suck all the money we spend with them out of our community.

In contrast, with Whidbey Telecom we have a truly local company with local customer service (with real people you can sit down and talk with), exceptional technology (an acknowledged competitive advantage in attracting living wage e-commerce jobs), and owners who keeps the money they earn in our community by employing over 100 people in good jobs, reinvesting in technology and making significant contributions to the arts and other local causes.

Maybe we’ll save a couple bucks a month, but is it worth it? I think not! Shop locally, shop Whidbey Telecom!

Marty Behr

Langley