By Marjorie Woodfin

Pilot staff writer

Mike Shaw, owner of Shaw's Phone Jack, is more than experienced enough to take care of any phone problems inside any business or residence.

Shaw worked for Verizon for 30 years before his retirement in 2003.

Retirement just didn't suit his personality, though.

"Retirement is enough to drive you to drink," he said.

He decided to start a private business doing what he did for the telephone company.

He knew that, although the telephone company is responsible for all exterior phone line problems, interior phone problems can run up big bills with Verizon.

"I thought it would be something that is needed in this town," he explained.

If your phone has a lot of static or other annoying problems, Shaw suggests that you first make sure that the trouble is not in the telephone company's outside lines or box, because the phone company must repair those problems without charge.

However, if it has been determined that the difficulty is within the building, he encourages calling him and, with his experience with wiring and jacks, he is sure that he can solve the problem.

He said he charges $65 per hour. "But if it's an hour and a half, I cut the half hour, and you pay for the first hour," he said. "I charge a lot less than Verizon," he added.

He works from home. Clients can reach him on his cell phone, (541) 661-1977.