300 sign petition protesting closing of bill-payment centre
Published Friday August 29th, 2008
A 300-name petition will be sent to NB Power protesting the removal of a bill-payment centre at the Canada Street Pharmasave.
Marysville Coun. Steven Hicks will forward the petition to NB Power's head of customer service.
"After speaking with countless elderly folks, it's not a mere inconvenience, it's fear. They fear that they will be unable to get to a location to pay their bills and may subsequently lose service," he said Thursday.
Hicks said he continues to hope that the power company and Aliant will rethink the move.
The bill-payment centre in Marysville was located in the Gibson Medical Clinic building on Canada Street. Seniors are used to making one trip to accomplish three tasks: see a physician, fill prescriptions and pay their bills.
"They've grown accustomed to going there for the last few years," Hicks said.
Many don't use online banking options and some don't drive, so arranging transportation to pay their bills can be inconvenient, Hicks said.
The Marysville petition will be added to another one bearing the signatures of 260 New Maryland residents who are concerned that the phone- and power-bill payment centre at the New Maryland pharmacy has been eliminated.
Twenty-eight payment agencies in New Brunswick will be closed.
Spokespeople for NB Power and Aliant have said that more customers are paying their bills electronically and there are still options available to pay in person.
Power and phone bills can still be paid at banks and at 50 payment agencies around the province.
In Fredericton, Sobeys grocery stores on the north and south sides of the city accept payments. So does Jean Coutu Pharmacy in Devon.
NB Power spokeswoman Heather MacLean said it would take a lot for NB Power and Aliant to change their minds.
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