By Jessica Verge
The Oshawa Express

Whether it’s a question about taxes or a pothole that needs to be fixed, 16 new city staff
members are just a phone call away and ready to help. Service Oshawa, a one-stop-shop for municipal questions and concerns, is now open for business.

“The whole objective is when you call for service you don’t get passed around anymore,” says Rick Stockman, commissioner of corporate services.

By dialing 905-436-3311 or stopping by the first floor of city hall at 50 Centre St. S. from
Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,

Oshawa residents can receive information and request municipal services related to public works, parks, transportation and parking and revenue and taxation.

By late 2008 or early 2009, Service Oshawa will be able to assist with questions and concerns related to all city departments.

“Now we have one phone number they can call and we resolve their issues,” says Brenda
Jeffs, customer service manager, adding that the city previously had more than 50 phone numbers in the blue pages. In addition to one easy number and location, all concerns are tracked and customer service representatives will follow through with an answer.

The centre relies on highly trained staff members and state-of-the-art knowledge-based software. Opened for one month now, Mayor John Gray says the feedback from residents has been great.“So far, results have been outstanding,” he says.