Amtelecom closes Mindemoya office
 

by Tom Sasvari
MINDEMOYA---The closure of the Amtelecom Communications Customer Services office in Mindemoya has been received with shock and
disappointment by the community. However, a representative of the
company stressed the technical services provided by the company will
remain in operation.
"I'm very, very shocked and disappointed with this. I never realized
there was a possibility this would happen," stated Mary Nelder, reeve
of Central Manitoulin Township.
"I heard the news while I was in Toronto last week, but haven't had
the chance to talk to Dave (Wilson - of Amtelecom) in person, so I
don't know all the details," said Ms. Nelder. "It's really
unfortunate. I can understand the pressures on telecommunication
services, but we received excellent services over the past few years,
and excellent staff. Dave was so community minded, an helped us with
our plans for the community. He was very proactive and is a forward
minded thinking individual. I think the company played a role in the
development of the community," said Ms. Nelder.
"First of all, I am disappointed in hearing this, but I would like to
know the reasons why this decision was made," said Hugh Moggy, chair
of the Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA).
"We will no longer have the payment business office open, effective
today," stated Mike Andrews, president and CEO of Amtelecom
Communications, late last week. He pointed out the office staff
included two full-time and one part-time employee.
"Actually, the Mindemoya office was the last satellite business
office we still had open, where customers could walk in and make
payments," said Mr. Andrews. "This decision was not made lightly or
hastily, but we suspected it would be a shock for all customers who
have been making payments at the local office."
Mr. Andrews explained the customer service office was closed,
"because it was not cost effective with the customer service base we
have locally, as compared to having a customer service in a large
populated area."
However, Mr. Andrews noted, "The technical services absolutely will
stay in place. We are about 80 percent of the way through our service
improvement plan, which we have committed $6 million towards, and the
improvements will include three new remote switch network services
being added on the Island. We are still very much committed to
remaining in business on Manitoulin, which we feel is one of our key
areas of growth. We will see a strengthening of our technical
department growth."
Amtelecom customers can still make payments in person, through any
local financial institution, on line, on the phone, or by mail, said
Mr. Andrews. "I would like to turn back the clock and still provide
services over the counter, but we have to move forward and be as
efficient as possibly. And, as I indicated earlier, we have no
intention of making any cuts in our technical services provided to
the community. In fact, they will be increasing over the next few
years."
"We understand this has been a difficult process for the staff that
had worked out of the office. We have known for awhile that this was
going to take place, and we've done our best to soften the hard news
to the staff," added Mr. Andrews.
"It is really a shame to lose the local connection that we have had
with this office being open. And the loss of three jobs is
significant for the community," stated Ms. Nelder. "I am very
disappointed, and shocked because we had such good service for the
community, and there seemed to be such a commitment from Amtelecom on
Manitoulin Island with the dollars they have dedicated and the
service being provided."
Mr. Moggy noted, "This is three jobs being lost, which is what I hate
to see happen. I'm disappointed especially because this means three
more jobs leaving Manitoulin. In a small community the loss of one
job is like hundreds somewhere else."
"I hate to see this happen, but as long as we don't lose the services
provided by Amtelecom, and they adapt to make things better, you
can't fault them for making this decision, as long as the reasons are
good," said Mr. Moggy.
"I have a very grave concern about your closure of the Mindemoya
office," stated Larry Killens, a candidate for reeve in this week's
municipal election, in a letter to Amtelecom officials. "It seems
not too long ago that you asked for and obtained permission from the
CRTC to raise our rates so that you could maintain the current level
of service. Closing our local office here does not maintain the
current level of service. There was no mention of this in your
presentation to the CRTC when you sought permission to raise our
rates."
"I respectfully request your reasoning for this and why I should not
embark on a mission to seek the public's co-operation in boycotting
your company, i.e. changing internet services and changing phone
company long distance providers where they can. Strange, we still
cannot change our phone line provider. I will however, seek
assistance from not only our First Nations and neighbors who are
mandated to keep you alive at our expense, but will embark on a
letter writing campaign to your various holdings in Ontario."
Ms. Nelder added, "I expect the current council will be registering
their concern, and what actions we will take at our next meeting."

 

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