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8 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 8, 1991 Letters io the editor Ontario Hydro out of control To the Editor; The Ontario Hydro organiza- tion and its associated costs are out of control and operating well beyond its original man- date of supplying electric power at cost, As a member of a Co hydro system, it is my hope that the public and the media will let. Ontario Hydro know in no uncertain terms that their es- calating rate increases to cover these and future inflated costs will no longer be tolerated. At a recent meeting of munic- ipal and Ontario Hydro offi- cials, executive members of On- tario dro announced that there will be a double digit in- Appreciates great staff To the Editor: Thank you to Big V Drug Store. Big V staff and free deliv- ery service deserve much more than just a thank you, but that is about all this one person can 0. In this day when customer service is almost non-existent, the service Big V's staff made available to me was truly re- freshing. " I know Karen and Rima gave me service above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you. I really appreciate your time and effort that went to making me a healthier and happier custom- er. Once again thank you. ] Sincerely, Catherine S. Chamberlin crease in the wholesale cost of electricity and that electricity customers can expect more dou- ble digit increases commencing as early as next year. Ontario Hydro has an- nounced an average rate in- crease of 11.8 per cent for 1992, on top of 8.6 pér cent for this year. This increase is the tip of theiceberg. ey The public must becom aware of Ontario Hydro's present policies which put an added strain on the economy b increasing costs and which will undoubtedly encourage in- creased movement of industry south of the border, These policies will also force smaller companies into receiv- ership, increase farm costs, not to mention, the effect on indi- viduals, rural and urban resi- dential customers living close or below the poverty line. Ontario Hydro is gross] overstaffed in senior and mid. dle management categories at- tributed in part to the empire building that took place in the 1970s and 1980s. To be efficient and in line with organizations in the real world, Ontario Hy- dro should have less than half the number of employees in its head office and geographic re- gions. This utility appears reluc- tant to implement the recom- mendations of the CRESAP re- port or even consider the cost- cutting recommendations of the Ontario Energy Board. For years Ontario Hydro marketed and promoted elec- tricity with horrendously ex- pensive media marketing tech- niques so as to encourage the use of electrical energy. The re- verse is now the situation, as Estimates * Freo 175 River St. E. Seagrave 985-8836 " Marine & RV Specialists © Ve! e Auto Interiors e Furniture "Work Guaranteed Viobile Service (local free) For Better or For Worse® SE Hydro's new plan is conserva- tion to encourage, even financ- ing a switch to gas from electric heat. This new $2.7 billion plan is geared to try to save power equivalent to the output of six Darlington size reactors by the year 2000. Ontario Hydro is planning a large public relations program to try and sell this conservation as well cushion the rate in- creases required in part to pro- moteit. The first public relations pro- gram involves 100 transport truck loads of light bulbs. Onta- rio Hydro plans to mail through Canada Post, a package of two 52 watt light bulbs to 3.6 mil- lion Ontario households togeth- er with coupons that will subsi- dize the purchase of compact fluorescent and halogen bulbs from selected firms. The people who are notin the front line who dream up these programs are obviously not ex- periencing the effects of the re- cession, or seeing the suffering and hardships of many df the slsgivieal Sustomers. is type of program is an in- sult to the intelligence of Hydro customers whose increased rates will be used to support this obviously transparent sub- terfuge. Surely, an 11.8 per cent increase is in itself an in- centive'tosave. THe goal of power at cost was the founding principle of this utility under the chairmanship of Sir Adam Beck in 1906. This goal is not being met in view of the following facts: Ontario Hydro's debt as of June 30, 1991 is $30.5 billion. Compare this to the province of Ontario's debt of $9.7 billion or Canada's national debt of $400 billion. 'Ontario Hydro has 35,846 . employees on staff (end of Aug. 1991). Many are paid at wage levels higher than 20 per cent - over the private sector. Execu- tive salaries listed below are to- tally out of line in comparison to the public service and do not include the many fringe bene- fits, cost of limousines and chauffeurs, foreign travel, etc. To be efficient and in line with organizations in the real . Turnto Page 13° for the past B 125 years "The Tradition Continues" Mildred and Roy Hope of Prince Albert were the guests of honor at an Open House at the Prince Albert Hall Sunday afternoon on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. A large crowd of family and friends attended the celebration to extend best wishes to the popular couple. Letters io the editor Enjoying fast paced trip Editor's Note: The following let- ter is from Greenbank resident Michael Green who is presently touring with the international group Up With People. Tothe Editor: First of all, let me formally apologize for 'the lateness of this letter. Things have been so hectic since my beginnings with the group. The latest mail strike did not assist matters ei- ther. . Well, I am in New York State right now. My trip has been very fast-paced with high levels of excitement. Already in my trip, I have covered six States in approximately three weeks. I have been to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, West Vir- ginia and New York. My travels have been packed full of great excitement with just a hint of reality to keep us guessing. In Houston, my cast met Eu- gene Cernan,.who is the last man to walk on the moon. We had dinner with his family and they came to the show. In Louisiana, I was given the opportunity to visit the birth- place of jaz New Orleans.' Tt - is a beautiful city with a lot of different things to offer. If any of you get the chance, visit it. As well, we have had many community involvements that have been wonderful. I have gone to prisons, nursing homes, schools, etc. One that has touched my heart was when we visited Pinecrest Home. It is a place for 1,200 mentally and physically handicapped people tolive and work in peace. It was so wonderful to see a place for these people who need it to go and get the care that is re- quired. As you can tell, I am being kept quite busy. I look forward to writing my next letter. Until then, keep smiling and remember, only by opening your eyes can you see and only y seeing can you truly open your eyes. Sincerely, Michael Green Michael looks forward to hearing from his friends. Any- one wishing to write him may do so at the following address: P.O. Box 40365, Tucson, Arizo- na, 85717, USA. 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. LYL 1B9 PHONE (416) 985-7306 ALL LINES OF GENERAL INSURANCE $* » 'HOMEOWNERS - FARM - AUTO COMMERCIAL ----_ qu RA A lr A i i Mi ed aA AAR i TT II mI I Uf 4+<JA NED SUR oa. om ah ual Ou | cn pO op. SH SC SH SO a al a a Laan on a 2c uu IE SL a aoa ambh aml EEL a Si aL CE Li EE aia SESS. i I 3 Se