More than 5 years ago — in November 2019 — our Pic of the Day was not a typical beautiful Westport scene.
It was the abandoned, rusted shell that once held a SNET pay phone, at the Merritt Parkway Exit 42 commuter parking lot.
(Photo/Bill Dedman)
I wrote then: “It’s been a while since anyone used a pay phone. It’s been longer since SNET removed the phone from this commuter booth.
“In fact, who even remembers SNET? It’s now part of Frontier.
“So Frontier, if you’re listening: You bought this eyesore. Please be a good neighbor, and haul it away.”
That was not the phone booth’s first appearance on “06880.” As far back as April 2009 — one month after this blog began — I ran this photo:
They eyesore is still there. It’s not getting better with age.
The other day, Charmian Hall sent another view:
(Photo/Charmian Hall)
She wrote, “It would be great if we might find a reader who knows how to go about requesting its removal.”
Indeed it would. Barack Obama had been president for less than 3 months the first time I ran a shot of the phone booth. And it looked then like a relic from the Ford administration.
SNET ceased to exist in 2005 — nearly 20 years ago. Frontier’s MO for phone booth removal seems the same as for their obsolete utility cables: We can’t be bothered. We don’t care. Not our problem.
Is it a major issue?
No. Climate change, the Mideast and the price of eggs are all more important.
But is it a quality of life issue?
Yes. There’s no good reason Westporters need to see this every day.
Nor should it be the first impressions visitors have of our town, when they pull off the parkway.
So I’ll repeat Charmian’s request. If anyone knows how to get rid of this eyesore, please click “Comments” below.
Or do it yourself, with an acetylene torch.
Westport will thank you.
Frontier probably will, too.