Thursday, December 13, 2007

ANOTHER “HIGH MILER” GETS A SEVEN DAY IMPOUNDMENT

(Goulais River, Ont.) A Wawa man has had his drivers licence suspended for seven days and the vehicle he was driving impounded.

Yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. an officer with the Sault Ste Marie Detachment was conducting radar patrols on Hwy 17 in Goulais River. The officer clocked a vehicle, that was passing two transports, traveling in excess of 160/km/h in a 90/km/h zone.

The vehicle involved has been impounded for seven days and the driver has been charged and his drivers licence has been suspended for seven days. The driver, and his three passengers, had to find another means of transportation.

The driver has been identified as twenty five (25) year old Brian LOCKSTIEN of Wawa, Ontario. He has been charged under the province’s new “stunt” legislation. He will also have to appear in Sault Ste Marie Provincial Offences Court on Jan 30, 2008.

PASSED STOPPED SCHOOL BUS WITH LIGHTS FLASHING

(Laird, Twp.) A Sault Ste Marie man learned the expensive way that you just never know who is watching your driving.

Yesterday at about 4:45 p.m. a school bus was stopped in the westbound lane of Hwy 17 in Laird Township. The bus had its overhead lights on and was discharging students. A vehicle passed the school bus. What the driver of that vehicle didn’t realize was that an off duty police officer was stopped for the bus and watched the driver go right by the bus.

The officer got the licence plate of the vehicle and followed it until a marked police cruiser was able to pull the car over.

Fifty seven year old Frank SICOLI, of Trunk Road in Sault Ste Marie, has been charged with Passing a Stopped School Bus. He was issued a ticket and if found guilty he could face a minimum fine of $490.00.

‘Tis the Season for Telemarketers and Door-to-Door Sales Representatives

Once again The Seniors Issues Office and the East Algoma OPP are receiving calls about door-to-door sales representatives and Telemarketers blanketing the city of Elliot Lake, trying to separate you from your money while you are in a generous holiday mood. Remember that you have the right to say “NO” to Telemarketers and Door-to-Door sales persons.

When listening to the sales pitch of a Telemarketer or door-to-door sales representative ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you really need the product or service being offered?
2. Do the claims of the product or service being offered seem reasonable?
3. Are you being pressured into purchasing this product or service?
4. Do the people selling the product or service have all the proper permits and qualifications to do so?

Not all telemarketers or door-to-door salespeople are dishonest or high-pressure but their main objective is to separate you from your hard earned money. Do your homework. Don’t make quick decisions. Check out the company calling you on the phone or standing at your door. Don’t be afraid to look at alternatives to what is being offered and to speak with other people or professionals that are in the know about the product or service being offered.

For example if the company is making claims about health risks and how their product can alleviate those problems check with your doctor or your local Health Department. An informed consumer is a smart consumer.

Elliot Lake has passed a by-law requiring all door-to-door sales people to acquire a “Mobile Vendors” permit. Before even letting a sales person in your residence make sure that they produce this permit to show that they are properly licenced to conduct business in the City of Elliot Lake. If the company or person are making other claims perhaps in regards to health issues make sure they are qualified to make these claims.

Although it should be noted that not all telemarketers and door-to-door sales people are high-pressure the majority can be. And although it may not be illegal to use this method to sell a product or service, it could be considered misleading. Remember you have the right to say “no” and hang up the phone or close the door.

If you are having a problem with a telemarketer or door-to-door sales people you can contact the Seniors Issues Office at 705-848-3009 or the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services at 1-800-268-1142.