THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509170049
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Contrary to reports, the Outer Banks district office of North Carolina Power is not closing its doors, the utility says.
However, starting Nov. 1 customers will no longer be able to pay electric bills at the Manteo office.
Company spokeswoman Billie Ketterman said that North Carolina Power clients will still be able to take care of other service needs at the Manteo office.
But bill payments will be handled at the Nags Head and Kitty Hawk locations of Seamark Foods, and at Island Pharmacy in Manteo.
``We've had some complaints from customers that the Burnside Road location was inconvenient for them to pay their bills,'' Ketterman said.
John Hughes, coastal area manager for the company, said the shift will enable North Carolina Power to provide better customer service, while at the same time reduce costs.
``If a customer mails a payment to us, it costs eight cents to process it,'' Hughes said. ``If a customer brought payment into our Manteo office, it costs $1.50.
``Also, the office in Manteo was convenient for our customers on Roanoke Island, but it was inconvenient for folks who lived on the northern beaches or in Currituck. This will also be more convenient for people who work because we will have extended payment hours at these new locations.''
North Carolina Power has contracted with American Payment Centers to handle bill payments.
The utility is undergoing a reorganization effort in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. However, Hughes said that none of the 57 employees in the Outer Banks District office will lose his or her job.
Three employees will be given new responsibilities as a result of the company's effort, known as ``Vision 2000.''
Wayne McClanan, director of construction in the Elizabeth City office, will handle similar duties in Kitty Hawk. C.N. ``Ted'' Kranz, formerly director of customer service in the Outer Banks District, will work with a Richmond, Va.-based re-engineering task team that will work to improve customer service.
And William P. ``Perk'' Hazle-grove will be moving from the Outer Banks office to the Elizabeth City office to serve as director of customer projects.
But Hughes said the three employees won't have to relocate from their present homes on the Outer Banks to perform their new duties.
North Carolina Power is a subsidiary of North Carolina-Virginia Power, which serves about a million customers in North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
NEW LOCATIONS
After Oct. 31, North Carolina Power customers will no longer be
able to pay bills at the Outer Banks District office on Burnside
Road in Manteo. Instead, bills can be paid at the following
locations.
Seamark Foods, Kitty Hawk
Seamark Foods, Nags Head
Island Pharmacy, Manteo
Customers must bring their bills with them to make payment. All
other customer service matters can be handled at the Outer Banks
District Office on Burnside Road in Manteo.
by CNB