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Wednesday, June 1, 1989 TERRACE BAY/SCHREIBER NEWS Page 5 Northern ahs ev clonmchic ale By Maurice Fenelon Northern Development Officer Home improvements sparked about 10 per cent of all the com- plaints lodged with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations last year. More than 1,100 consumers reported problems with home repairs or renovations. Paving, general interior renovations and work on windows, doors and sid- ing were behind the largest num- ber of request for government help. Painter's customers lodged the fewest complaints, with a total of only 19. Misunderstandings cause the majority of problems, Take the time to go over every detail of a job before signing the contract. Make sure both you and the contractor understand exactly what work is to be done, with what materials, then get it all in writing along with the costs. Don't assume anything. If you want the porch built of the bets wood or expect oil-based paint to be used on the new addition, put it in the job specifications in writ- ing. Think details and you'll avoid a lot of problems. It is vital to get at least three quotes on any job. Try to start with a selection of reputable con- tractors or tradespeople who have been recommended by friends. Provide each with a list of required work, show them the site and walk through the project with them. Discuss alternatives for mate- rials and construction methods. Hazardous waste Environmental problems fac- ing Canadians today are complex and frightening. Acid rain, pollution of lakes and rivers, "holes" in the ozone layer, and the global warming have become everyday news items. People across the country are concerned, and are asking "What can I do?" As consumers we need to accept responsibility for the envi- ronmental effects of the manufac- ture, use and disposal of the prod- - ucts we use. We can all make a difference. Individuals can make deci- sions and take action to protect the environment. "Even cveryday houschold cleaning can be more environmentally sensitive," says Julia Langer, Executive Director of the national environmental group Friends of the Earth. "Replacing a shopping cart full of harsh cleaning products with a few environmentally sensitive alternatives is worth a pound of cure," and can save you money too. An average of cight different kinds of products are used in our bathrooms, including drain clean- er, scouring powder, mould and mildew. killer, air freshener, mir- ror and glass cleancr, toilct bowl cleaner, floor cleaner, and disin- fectant. Companies play on our fear of germs. They try to convince con- sumers that only strong cleaners are effective, and that a different cleaning product is needed for every houschold chore. There are some simple alterna- tives to the wide varicty of pack- aged products. Baking soda and white vinegar: form-the backbone * "Le but don't get confused. Be sure all quotes are based on exactly the same specifications. It is helpful to have done a bit of research through a library or knowledgeable acquaintance, before calling for estimates. Along with technical details, contracts should set out accept- able work hours. Start and finish dates are also important. Delayed completions are a common source of consumer complaints. This problem can sometimes be avoid- ed by adding a contract clause setting out a financial penalty for each day of delay beyond the completion date. Contracts for large jobs may involve installment or "progress" payments to be made as each phase of work is completed. A schedule of payments should be set Oul in writing. To obtain protection under the law, consumers are required to hold back 10 per cent of each progress payment or the total cost of the contract for 45 days fol- lowing completion. This cnsures the homeowner cannot be held financially responsible if suppli- ers or subcontractors are not paid. Should a consumer fail to pay the contractor, a lien can be placed on the property, creating scrious headaches if the house is put up for sale. It is a mistake to withhold pay- ments in an attempt to settle con- tract disputes. It is possible to make payments into the courts to be held while a resolution is of the environmentally friendly cleaners, and along with borax, washing soda and lemon juice, can replace over 20 different houschold cleaning products. An excellent washing solution for floors, walls, and even wood- work can be made with three tablespoons of washing soda in about four cups of warm water. A half-and-half solution of white vinegar and water is also effec- tive and doesn't need to be rinsed. Grease or scuff marks are easi- ly removed with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Baking soda is an exccllent, non- toxic scouring powder for sinks, toilet bowls, tubs and counters. It doesn't scratch surfaces, and deodorizes as well. Mould and mildew on tile grouting don't require highly reactive cleaners. White vinegar on a cloth or old toothbrush is just as effective. Even disinfec- tion can become more environ- sought. In this situation, the builder could not put a lien on the property. Although the judicial system - small claims court in particular - provides recourse for consumers involved in disputes, most dis- agreements can be scttled through discussion and compromise. If this fails or you feel laws have been broken, send details of the complaint in writing to the nearest Consumer Services Burcau of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations or the office of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mincs. Ontario consumers have a legal right to fair and honest treat- ment. It is against the law for a company to make false or mis- leading statements. The Law Socicty of Upper Canada provides information about renovations through its "Dial A Law" phone-in system. In area code 807, ask your opera- tor for Zenith 99210. The applica- ble Dial A Law recordings are Home Repair Contractors (tape 90) and Builders' Licn (tape 700). Additional information is also available at the office of the Ministry 'of Northern Development and Mines, 2 Stevens Avenuc, Box 280, Marathon, Ontario - call 229- 1153. For areas outside of Marathon ask your operator for Zenith 33160. disposal mentally friendly and mect hospi- tal standards when a solution of 1/2 cup of borax mixed with four cups of hot water is used. A simple herbal basket of dried rose petals, peppermint, or cloves will effectively replace aerosols or solid air fresheners. An all-purpose cleaner, vine- gar and water, can be uscd for mirrors, windows and tiles. And instead of paper towels, crumpled newspapers are great for shining surfaces. The most environmentally friendly solution for unclogging a drain is to use a plunger or a wire "snake". Another alternative is a mild chemical drain cleaner. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain. As quickly as possible, add 1/2 cup of vinegar. The reactive bubbles should be covered tightly with a cloth. A kettle full of boil- ing water poured directly down the drain finishes the job. |. Murray Dodick Optometrist 1119 Victoria Avenue Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 1B7 1-622-7726 Made for each other -- GM cars and GM accessories A Ls mig ay Se he bith nk m7 IND ribs Ht UTE TTT 7 Our parts Department stocks a full range of top vality accessories for your GM car... dtl Tem hoor mats and mirrors to trailer hitches an: fog lamps. And everything will fit your GM car perfecily, because they're GM parts ~ The Expert Choice. The expert choice. SPADONI BROS. LTD. Schreiber 824-2244 Free Foot Care Clinic The McCausland Hospital will be offering a Eree Foot Care Clinic for (1) Nail Cutting & Packing (2) Advice on Foot Care This procedure will be done at the hospital on Tuesday, June 13, 1989 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. In the emergency department and at the Schreiber Medical Centre on Wednesday, June 21, 1989 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. PLEASE PHONE THE HOSPITAL FOR APPOINTMENTS AT 825-3273 See ee ee ee ee a ee no Ontario THE SURVEYS ACT Take notice that under the provisions of Section 52 of The Surveys Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario 1980, Chapter 493 a amended, a hearing before the Surveyor General will be held in the boardroom at the Terrace Bay District Office, Ministry of Natural Resources, Terrace Bay, Ontario on the 28th day of July, 1989 at 9:00 o'clock local time in the morning to consider the following resurveys shown on plans and field notes of survey: District of Thunder Bay 1. Northerly Portion of the East Boundary of the Township of Bomby 2. Southerly Portion of the East Boundary of the Township of Brothers 3. Northerly Portion of the East Boundary of the Township of Laberge Copies of reports, plans and field notes of survey may be examined at the District Manager's Office, Terrace Bay, or at the office of the Surveyor General, Ministry of Natural Resources, 90 Sheppard Avenue East, 4th Floor, NORTH YORK, Ontario. All parties interested in or affected by the resurveys referred to herein may attend at this hearing and will be heard concerning any objections as to why the surveys as performed should not be confirmed. And further take notice that if any person or persons do not attend at this hearing the Surveyor General may proceed in their absence and they will not be entitled to any further notice in the proceedings. Renseignements en francais : (807) 825-3205. Dated the 23rd day of May 1989. S. B. Panting Surveyor General