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Morton, Ill. —
Comcast customers looking to drop off a payment or cable equipment will have to drive to Pekin or Peoria from now on — the Morton office is closed.
And, the cable company’s decision has a number of village officials wired over the closure, largely due to the village’s franchise agreement with Comcast that required the company to keep an office in Morton.
“I am extremely upset,” said Morton Mayor Norm Durflinger during a Sept. 7 village board meeting.
“We have a franchise agreement that says they must have a presence,” he added.
“I’m getting a little fed up with this,” Durflinger added. “I’m working extremely hard to bring in another cable company.”
That agreement apparently has no bearing on Comcast’s decision following the passage of the Cable and Video Competition law in 2007 that makes the company’s closure of the local office a valid move.
Despite the village’s franchise agreement, which dates all the way back to the late 1970s when the company was known as Continental, Comcast’s decision to close the local office has village officials not only angry, but ready to take action.
The company took advantage of the law change that allows them to move out.
“They are taking that position, which, unfortunately, is correct,” said Tom Davies, attorney for the Village of Morton.
The next question is whether or not the company is providing a no-cost drop off location.
“They are supposed to provide a place for people to drop off equipment at no cost,” Davies said. “In my mind, driving to Pekin or Peoria is not ‘no cost.’”
Comcast spokeswoman Angie Amores said the company’s decision was due to a variety of reasons.
“Customer activity at the center continued to decline rapidly,” Amores said.
She said more and more customers are choosing other methods to make payments, such as online or over the phone.
Amores said there was no job loss associated with the closure. One of the office’s employees recently died and another retired.
“For customers who have boxes that they need to exchange, we use a direct shipping option. There are also a couple of drop off boxes within 14 miles.”
Amores said customers can drive to 1617 Valley Vista Blvd. in Pekin or 3517 Dries Lane in Peoria to make a payment or drop off and exchange equipment.
Still, Durflinger maintains that, at current gas prices which currently sit at about $2.89 per gallon, 14 miles is not “no cost.”
As to how a company with a franchise agreement is able to opt out with the village, Davies is perplexed.
“I would assume it is probably due to the strong lobby of the cable industry,” Davies said.
Durflinger said he plans to continue to seek any possible action against Comcast. At the same time, he is looking to attract an alternative cable company.
“I will be working with our attorneys to determine what options we have with the franchise agreement,” he said.
“As you can tell, I’m not happy,” he added.
Comcast customers looking to drop off a payment or cable equipment will have to drive to Pekin or Peoria from now on — the Morton office is closed.
And, the cable company’s decision has a number of village officials wired over the closure, largely due to the village’s franchise agreement with Comcast that required the company to keep an office in Morton.
“I am extremely upset,” said Morton Mayor Norm Durflinger during a Sept. 7 village board meeting.
“We have a franchise agreement that says they must have a presence,” he added.
“I’m getting a little fed up with this,” Durflinger added. “I’m working extremely hard to bring in another cable company.”
That agreement apparently has no bearing on Comcast’s decision following the passage of the Cable and Video Competition law in 2007 that makes the company’s closure of the local office a valid move.
Despite the village’s franchise agreement, which dates all the way back to the late 1970s when the company was known as Continental, Comcast’s decision to close the local office has village officials not only angry, but ready to take action.
The company took advantage of the law change that allows them to move out.
“They are taking that position, which, unfortunately, is correct,” said Tom Davies, attorney for the Village of Morton.
The next question is whether or not the company is providing a no-cost drop off location.
“They are supposed to provide a place for people to drop off equipment at no cost,” Davies said. “In my mind, driving to Pekin or Peoria is not ‘no cost.’”
Comcast spokeswoman Angie Amores said the company’s decision was due to a variety of reasons.
“Customer activity at the center continued to decline rapidly,” Amores said.
She said more and more customers are choosing other methods to make payments, such as online or over the phone.
Amores said there was no job loss associated with the closure. One of the office’s employees recently died and another retired.
“For customers who have boxes that they need to exchange, we use a direct shipping option. There are also a couple of drop off boxes within 14 miles.”
Amores said customers can drive to 1617 Valley Vista Blvd. in Pekin or 3517 Dries Lane in Peoria to make a payment or drop off and exchange equipment.
Still, Durflinger maintains that, at current gas prices which currently sit at about $2.89 per gallon, 14 miles is not “no cost.”
As to how a company with a franchise agreement is able to opt out with the village, Davies is perplexed.
“I would assume it is probably due to the strong lobby of the cable industry,” Davies said.
Durflinger said he plans to continue to seek any possible action against Comcast. At the same time, he is looking to attract an alternative cable company.
“I will be working with our attorneys to determine what options we have with the franchise agreement,” he said.
“As you can tell, I’m not happy,” he added.
