• Something doesn’t seem right

I can hear the groans already. This topic again?! I really hated to bring this topic up again, but there are a few things I feel you all should know.

Mediacom is planning an $8 rate hike this year; one in April, and one in October, $4 each month. They claim that rates haven't gone up since 2004. I have a slew of things Mediacom has done to me, but this isn't the right time to list them all.

I have been in contact with their middle management about the rewiring of Azalea Towers. My experience with them amounts to utter contempt. After the city fathers reached an agreement with Mediacom, it seems to me that Mediacom has our backs against the wall because of them knowing that they have a monopoly, and they take full advantage of it. Part of the agreement was a rate reduction, in which letters were to be sent announcing the rate reduction. It took a letter to the editor to get Mediacom to call me. They apologized for not sending the letters, and after my letter ran, they asked me to write another letter because they were getting a lot of negative calls. Go figure. People only got the reduction by calling them. After my letter, they not only gave me the new rate, but also prorated the past months it was supposed to be in place. For my neighbors and me at Azalea Towers, the promised customer service improvements quickly disintegrated, and began a rapid down hill slide to things as they were before the agreement.

I could go on, but I think everyone knows what I'm talking about. This monopoly Mediacom has enjoyed, needs to end, and our leaders should try to bring in another company. The only alternative is to get a dish. The problem with a dish is that we would lose our network affiliates.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I am not pleased with Mediacom’s service. I think it’s time to bring AT&T to town to give them some competition. Something needs to be done about this. I urge you all to call the local office, and either get the phone number of the regional manager and let them know that we are not happy with their service. I also think we need to start prompting the right people to get another cable provider in Valdosta. Something just doesn't smell right with Mediacom’s plans for us. If we become complacent, the problems will only get worse.

Greg Diamond

Valdosta

• High quality professionals

I would like to let the public know about our recent experiences at Smith Northview Hospital during the illness and loss of my aunt. She entered the hospital for surgery immediately as a transfer from Adel Hospital. Her surgeon was Dr. Kevin McCowan who continued to be her doctor for the duration. He was one of the kindest, most compassionate, God fearing men I have ever met. He is the only surgeon who took time to talk with us before the surgery to pray for our aunt and ask God’s help in healing her. Dr. McCowan, Dr. Tri and all her doctors were attentive, patient, and answered all questions, spent time explaining and consoling the family when pneumonia finally won the battle and took my aunt’s life.

The surgical ICU nurses, PA’s and staff were equally kind, compassionate and caring. I have had experience with many different hospitals in this state and Florida due to family illnesses. These people went above and beyond to make us feel as if we were their only concern instead of one of many. I wish to make public my gratitude to them and let the public know how fortunate they are to have medical professionals of this quality available to them.