Public Comment. Volume III - Montana Legislature

In these cases, condemnation proceedings are important to us.
If, however, such proceedings become significantly more
burdensome, time-consuming, and costly. we are back to sauare one.
We have to recover those costs from our customers, and if this
causes prices to become unaffordable, we simply canno9t construct
the networks. The affected communities then become the
information "have nots" we see increasingly discussed in the
media. They are at an economic, educated, nedical, and ultimately
social disadvantage to folks in more urban areas.
I hope that you will bare these concerns in mind as you
deliberate these _very important issues. I greatly app-reciate the
time and hard work you, the members of your subcommittee, and your
staff have devoted. If I can be of any assistance please let me
know.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Strand
Executive Vice President
And General Counsel
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-74- Volume Ill: Public Comment