Residents in the small, remote town of Hanksville want either South Central Utah Telephone Association Inc. or US WEST Communications to serve the area with telephone facilities.
Of 70 people who attended a hearing on phone service, all but six supported ownership by one of the two companies. Only six preferred the Beehive Telephone Co., which also entered the squabble over telephone rights in the area.South Central previously signed an agreement to buy US WEST's interests in Hanksville and most of Wayne County because the latter determined it was no longer financially feasible for a large company to own and operate the service. Then Beehive filed with the Utah Public Service Commission to serve the area.
US WEST informed residents of Wayne County about a year ago that it was selling its interests to South Central Utah, with the exception of the unincorporated area of Caineville.
Beehive has had the franchise to operate in that locale, although it doesn't yet have telephone service.
The company reportedly has run into problems with surveys, rights of way and applications, although the legal documents were completed in 1991. Art Brothers of Beehive told Hanksville residents that calls between their community and Caineville, Notom, Sandy Ranch and Ticaboo would be toll-free if that company is awarded a franchise.
This isn't the first time Hanksville residents have supported US WEST and South Central. They petitioned the PSC a year ago with about 85 signatures in support of US WEST continuing the service or transferring ownership to South Central, noting they didn't want another telephone provider.
Also announced at the meeting were monthly service fees that would be assessed by each utility for services. Beehive would charge $17.84, South Central Utah $11 and US WEST $12 for residences and $18 for businesses.