NOPEC
In 2011 Vermilion residents voted on an Aggregation Program. As the result of that vote, City Administration have chosen NOPEC as the electric and natural gas aggregator.
The City of Vermilion has a new NOPEC Relationship Manager, Kyla Presto. She is not only knowledgeable on all things NOPEC but is always eager to help in any way she can.
The city has anniversary dates with NOPEC for both gas and electric. They are not the same year and are not every year. Anniversary dates are when you receive opt out letters from NOPEC. The anniversary date for gas supply is this year. There will be an opt out letter coming your way in April. One way to research prices is on a website called Apples to Apples. It lists all the suppliers for our area along with their rates and the terms that go along with each rate. There are so many terms that just picking the lowest rate doesn't always mean you are getting the best deal. NOPEC rates are not listed on Apples to Apples but instead can be found on their website, https://www.nopec.org/checkrates.
The choices and whether to opt out or not can become overwhelming. To help you in making a decision, Kyla Presto has set up an information night for residents at Ritter Public Library. During the Information Night Kyla and other NOPEC Representatives will be able to answer questions you may have before responding to the opt out gas aggregation letter. The Public Information Night is on Thursday April 24th at 6:00 p.m. in rooms A/B in the basement at Ritter Public Library.
NOPEC will never go door to door to solicit their services. Per the agreement voted on in 2011, everyone was initially signed up for NOPEC and must opt out. Although there is a deadline to opt out, a consumer has the right to choose another supplier at any time. Again, please remember, NOPEC will never go door to door.
You can get more information on NOPEC under Programs and Services at www.cityofvermilionohio.gov
Solicitors, Peddlers or Canvassers
It's Important to Know the Difference
Before we get into the details of how to have your address added to the Do Not Knock List, or how solicitors obtain a permit there is some important information that not everyone knows when it comes to someone knocking on your door.
There is a difference between a solicitor/peddler and a canvasser. A peddler is a person attempting to take orders for profit by the sale of something. Similarly, a solicitor seeks to obtain funds. A canvasser seeks to spread information or to influence the opinions of residents. (Codified Ordinance 860.01)
A "No Trespassing" sign is needed to stop a canvasser from knocking on your door. Asking a canvasser to sign a registration form and obtain a permit or to not visit homes listed on a Do Not Knock List violates the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech). So having a "no solicitors" sign or sticker at your door does not legally stop a canvasser from knocking. As with anyone who comes onto your property they must leave if you ask them to.
There are laws protecting you the consumer such as the Ohio's Home Solicitation Sales Act. The most important thing to remember is you do not have to give anyone private information and should not invite them into your home.
Do Not Knock List
Registration for the Do Not Knock List is now online. Simply fill out the form and submit the form and your address will be added to the list for one year.
Submitting the form online will allow you to receive a message confirming your address has been added as well as setting you up to receive an email reminder to submit the form again next year.
A list of addresses on the Do Not Knock List will be available online as well as given to each person who receives a solicitor/peddler permit.
Please submit a new registration even if you have had your address on the list in the past.
|
Solicitor/Peddler Permits
Solicitor/Peddler Permits are now completed online. Solicitors will be required to fill out an application as per the City of Vermilion Codified Ordinances Chapter 860. After an investigation, the Chief of Police shall approve or deny the permit application. The solicitor will be notified to pick up and pay for the Permit.
Each solicitor/peddler granted a permit will be issued a permit that can be added to the lanyard they wear with their employee badge or should be made visible to residents as they answer the door.
A list of approved solicitors will be made available online. The list will have the solicitor's name and the company they are working for. Should a resident ever question if someone who has visited their home has a valid permit, the list can be checked at any time. As always should someone feel unsafe or threatened, they can, at any time, call 911.
|
