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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-17, Page 6THE EDITOR, MADD Huron/Bruce Chapter needs your help! Red Ribbon boxes have now appeared in your local stores, ready for your donations. Fundraising at the local level is very important to keep our projects going. All monies received in these boxes stay in Huron and Bruce counties to help us fund police RIDE checks, school programs, victim support, public awareness programs and many other projects. Please help support your local MADD Huron/Bruce Chap- ter. Candy Willis, Administrative Assistant MADD Huron/Bruce. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009.THE EDITOR,For a number of years theconstituents of Huron-Bruce havebeen contacting me, frustrated and confused, after unknowingly entering a contract with an energy retailer. Some we could help, others we could not. Unfortunately this problem is not unique to my riding. In the past three years, energy retailers have cracked the top 10 list of consumercomplaints received by the Ministryof Consumer Services. The OntarioEnergy Board is currently logging between 100 and 150 consumer complaints a week about the practices of these companies. As the MPP for Huron-Bruce, I am pleased to be a part of a government that is proposing new rules to provide additional protection for energy consumers andallow for greater energyconservation. On Dec. 8, GerryPhillips, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Ted McMeekin, Minister of Consumer Services announced the proposed new Energy Consumer Protection Act, which would give Ontario families comfort in knowing they can rely on fair business practices. If passed, this legislation wouldprotect consumers from hiddencontract costs, excessivecancellation fees, “negative-option” contract renewals, and other unfair industry practices. There would be greater fairness and transparency for consumers through rate comparisons, plain language contract disclosure, enhanced rights to cancel contracts and a new licensing and training regime, including mandatory oral disclosure and ID badges. Tenants would have the opportunity to control their own energy costs through individual suite metering in apartment buildings. Asuite meter allows a tenant to pay fortheir electricity based on their actualconsumption. This means consumers could lower their electricity bills by conserving or shifting their usage. We want to help families make wise and informed energy choices. To find out more about the Energy Consumer Protection Act, please contact my constituency office in Clinton 519-482-5630 or Kincardine 519-396-3007. Sincerely, Carol Mitchell, MPP Huron-Bruce. Letter to the editorCracking down on energy retailers Letter Red Ribbons in stores Final meeting now March 3 THE EDITOR, I recently viewed Global TV’s website to check the video of the 2009 Toronto Santa Claus parade again. I saw the posties collecting letters on Santa’s behalf but where was the Seaforth All Girls Marching Band? Yes, Santa the horns from Seaforth were background music in a section showing volunteers making floats but no young ladies were shown marching along. The girls were Band 6 on the parade list. A lump of coal Santa, please in the stockings of all Global TV producers involved. How many bands in total were cut out in favour of commercial promotions tied into the Global TV show? A bit of a letdown for bands who travelled a ways to Hogtown. D Webster, Wingham. Continued from page 1 satisfy the request of the Municipality of Huron East – which called, in its Dec. 1 resolution, for 90 days between the ReCAPP release and the final meeting. Ash, however, noted that the final ARC meeting date can’t be pushed too far back, without hindering the board’s ability to vote on recommendations prior to the end of June. According to its accommodation review policy, the board must allow for a certain time for public input between the release of staff recommendations – based, in part, on the ARC’s report – and a final vote. That was the rationale for suggesting the March 3 final meeting date. Goderich/Northwest Huron trustee Al Sygrove wondered if the board was opening itself up to legal challenge if the ReCAPP data isn’t available 60 days before the final ARC meeting. Ash responded that’s not the case, since the board is not required by policy or by provincial legislation to release any ReCAPP data. Indeed, he said, ReCAPP – because it’s geared towards 20-year renewal costs – may be less effective than other information that the board has already provided to the ARC. The education superintendent said the board’s 10-year facilities review information is at least, if not more, effective as ReCAPP. South Huron trustee Randy Wagler, the chair of the board’s finance committee who seconded the motion to move the meeting to March 3, agreed. “While the ReCAPP information is helpful . . . by our policy, the five and 10 year numbers are the ones we tend to rely on,” he said. “I think the ARC has the information it needs to carry out its mandate.” Letter ‘Lump of coal for Global’ HURON COUNTY’S BEST KEPT SECRET 39278 Westfield Road, Blyth, Ontario, Canada N0M 1H0 1-519-523-9897 • Toll Free 1-888-320-4042 • Fax 1-519-523-9222 info@grainstovesinc.com Portage and Main Outdoor Boiler • Uses 1/3 to 1/2 less fuel than most wood boilers • The built-in four pass heat exchange maximize heat extraction from flue gases • Air injection over and under fire for a clean, efficient burn • Water cooled baffles Maxi Comfort Grain Furnace • Burns Corn, Wheat, Rye • Self-cleaning design • 110,000 BTU output • Heats up to 3,500 sq. ft. • Thermostatically controlled • Above 82% efficiency Grain Comfort Plus Multi Fuel Stove • Will heat up to 2000 sq. ft. • Includes direct vent • High volume circulation fan • Choice of Corn, Wheat or Rye will be closing for holidays The Brussels Office will be closed from Monday, December 21 at 2 p.m. until Monday, January 4 at 10 a.m. The Blyth Office will be closed from Wednesday, December 23 at 2 p.m. until Monday, January 4 at 9 a.m. Deadline for the December 24 paper is December 21 2 pm in Brussels, 4 pm in Blyth. The Christmas paper will be in the mail on Thursday, December 24 **Please note: There will be no paper published on Thursday, December 31. The Citizen The Citizen Municipality of Morris-Turnberry HOLIDAY HOURS Office Hours Thursday, December 24, 2009 Office Closed Friday, December 25, 2009 Office Closed Monday, December 28, 2009 Office Closed Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2009 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday, December 31, 2009 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Friday, January 1, 2010 Office closed Landfill Hours Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, December 26, 2009 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, January 2, 2010 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Curbside Pickup will take place as usual on Wednesday, December 23, and December 30, 2009. For further information please call the Municipal Office 519-887-6137