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The Canadran Champion, Friday, March 12, 2004- 'Security deposit decision victory for businesses ,ul !Y34 I ing by the Miton Chuacber ot Commerce, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has defined its policy on consumer security deposits. "Tht final policy is what we set as good business practict, in the privat or public stctor," said Chamber Executive Director Sandy Mariin. "Our primary goal was to ensure that recognition be given to good paymnent history and that security deposits be fasrly strtscttired and refleet the customners' payment bis- tory or credit rating. We were suc- cessful." Bn June 2002, Milton Hydro asked for a permanent security deposit from ils large volume uastrs. Under provincial de-regula- tion, local distributors like Milton Hydro were left unprotected tromn bad debîs and were able to act inde- pendently. In what was seen in 0s a test case, Milton Hydri requsring a deposît eq leG tloin the nany people n'hn agiree nnt to drink aicnhnlic "ranages ..and to cme omcaynna their group hnn.aiy. iario lo be set policy iaI 10 2.5 of esoergy consumpîson in the past ytae, regardless of past credit histo- ry. Tht amounts of these deposits ranged from thousands to, hundredo of thousands of dollars and impact- ed 220 Miton businesses. "We had members calling saying this action by Milton Hydro could put them out of business and that they neyer would have built here if they had known about this new poticy," Ms Martin sald. Sht sald tht Chamber coniacted other chuunbers and found thal many local hydro distributors were stting a wide range of security deposit policies. "Ibis was ltading to inequities from ont town to another and often affecting brancb plants for major manufacturers across the province," Ms Martin said. Tht Chamber took immediate action, firot getting a ruling fromn tht OEB that tht local hydro, dis- tributor didn't have tht right Io shut ty deposit if tht customer was pay- ing al his utility bills on time. A special Chamber volunteer commintee was set up to, meel with local businesses, Milton Hydro, Milton Town Council, Milton MPP Ted Chudleigh and ultimately with tht OEB. Tht OEB then agretd to set up a working group panel to advise on establishing provinct wide policy for security deposits. Milton was tht only Chamber to get representation on that panel and tht OEB bas just recently announced its decisions on security deposits for all hydro distributiors acroos tht province. Under tht new OEB structure, securily deposits will be based on two limes tht company's average, nol peak, monthly usage. Deposils will be waived for major hydro customers wiîh tither a AAA+ credit rating or seven years good payment hisîory with any recngnized hydrs facilty. This msovsng mnto Miton. Ms Martin said she sets the OEB's decisions as a victory for Miton businesses. 1 z ý i, ý - , , i- , - ý - ýv ii ornait community, wsth determina- your lion 10 work within the systein, can star>' make a significant and positive ideas. impact." Tied Stre ed oe? Carriage Square CHIRGPRACTIC HEALTH CENTRE CHIROPRACTORS Dr. Heather Eveleigh Dr. Shaun Demeris REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST Jenna Goddard - Early morning, evening & Saturday appts. -Offering safe and effective treatment for conditions including back pain, headaches, neck pain, stress and sports related injuries 905-876-9987 Unit 2 - 15 Martin Street Carniage Square Plaza, Milton "You've checked out the travelling hypnotists, 110W SCC what personalized hypnosis can really do for you!" -Yen reinx Md toue weiglit at the nue rIsse Honwody s &Wria boas 5o a a HapPen A fuit service Hypnosis Centre. We live and work in our community and we are here to give you our fuit support. Are any of these successful clients your neighbours? * No Diets - No Shots - No Drugs " No Supplements -No Weigh-ins "MY lsbamd cen'I kees bu iadn off nie' ed 35 tits. ii4 nia MacD5onald POSITIVE CHANGES HYPNOSIS CENTRES Stress Management Stop Smoking Alcohol Free 35 Main St., South, Olde Downtown Georgetown (TWo doors south of the TD Bank) (905) 877-2077 Where Rexuits'Happen" GMT A FRESH START. Get SOLUTIONS now for: Credit Card Pnoblems Loss of loba o Led One Repossessions Major Cash Fiow Pnoblems Wage Go nishments Evicl ans Persistent Bill Collectons Judgements, Law Suits Student Loon Delinquent Taxes Fa eclosu ex Duvorce Reaoed F flancia Problemr liant apiy can bie avosded. Ca5a us! Ncharge for instii consuaion! m m PADDON + Dy Appointaient Oniy. P, r TxusTE NNnss PTY s7 * m0 1~ 1c 225 Main Street East (Main & Marin St.) Milton A better solution' BANKRUPTCY