NEW CUMBERLAND - The Hancock County Commission approved a resolution Thursday which requests that the West Virginia Public Service Commission deny two communications companies permission to go through with an $8.6 billion deal.

The deal, between Verizon Communications Inc. and Frontier Communications Corp., would result in the sale of 4.8 million Verizon telephone lines in 14 states to Frontier.

Verizon's telephone lines in Ohio and West Virginia are both included in the proposed transaction, as well as Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

Communications Workers of America Local 2006 member Don Oliver, paid a visit to the commission and requested that they approve the resolution. Local 2006 Vice President Pam Chiefallo and Secretary-Treasurer Tim Joseph were also present at the meeting.

Oliver cited the resolution as he addressed the commission, stating that Frontier does not have the money to improve service quality for Verizon customers who would be affected by the sale.

"Frontier does not have the deep pockets that Verizon has to be able to provide things like FiOS (fiberoptic communications networks)," Oliver said.

The resolution indicated that of the 14 states involved in the proposed sale, West Virginia has the largest number of Verizon customers upon which the transaction will have a negative impact.

The resolution also indicated that the Hancock County Commission agrees with the belief that Verizon would be abandoning its customers if it goes through with the sale.

"Verizon should not be allowed to abandon its West Virginia customers," Oliver said.

In addition, the resolution indicated that Verizon has completed similar sales in both New England and Hawaii, "to the detriment of the consumers involved as the purchasing companies are either bankrupt or face bankruptcy," and that if the sale to Frontier goes through, Verizon will make a great profit on the sale "because it can take advantage of a tax loophole to avoid paying taxes on its $3.3 billion profit."

The commission approved the resolution unanimously.

"I think it's pretty true, what's been stated here today," Commissioner Dan Greathouse said of Oliver's presentation.

The deal between Verizon and Frontier was announced in May of this year, but requires approval from the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The service commission will be holding hearings early in 2010 to consider the transaction.

(Matsick can be contacted at jmatsick@reviewonline.com)