Editor, Smithfield Times

I was reading the article last week about the Surry Project Lifesaver. Having studied gerontology, I was very interested and glad to see that Surry has this in place. My question is, “When will Surry County get internet services for all of its residents?” Maybe I am the only one who desires it. I have to go to the home of friends that live in Isle of Wight County to use their unlimited hi-speed internet. This has been going on and on in Surry county, trying to get Wi-Fi services up and running. Even though it was not printed, this was my response to the Daily Press when they ran an article on broadband a few weeks back.

I am not sure who to make the comment too or how we could be helped. Maybe the governor could help us. After reading the Daily Press article headlined “Gloucester’s broadband blues,” I decided to look up the information on Surry. It is only 11.9 percent. It is so difficult. We have HughesNet, which is horrible, but better than dial-up. We have to go to Isle of Wight to use a friend’s unlimited Charter hi-speed Wi-Fi or the libraries. There is a forced digital divide by Surry County on its residents. In today’s world, Wi-Fi is necessary.

Really, I just do not get it. I have been in private sector management, managing and implementing million dollar projects, and it has been completed much more timely. Perhaps, I do not understand how the government works. Perhaps, I should not complain and just run for office. Or, just maybe, living in Atlanta for over 20 years with modern conveniences has made me precocious.

Wanda Jones
Surry