Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams is calling on all residents to participate in Ontario’s province-wide Power Pledge Community Challenge – a friendly competition for bragging rights as Ontario’s most conservation-conscious community.

To date, 392 community pledges have been completed by Orangeville residents. That places Orangeville in the top 20 participating communities, but just barely, so more pledges are needed.

There are two ways for Orangeville residents to help win the challenge:

1. Take the Power Pledge at www.powerpledge. ca . The community with the most pledges per capita wins both a trophy and a $10,000 award to support a local renewable energy project;

2. Use as little electricity as possible from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Community Challenge Day, Wednesday, August 11. The community with the highest megawatt reduct ion will win the prestigious Woodstock Cup.

“As of today, 392 people in Orangeville have already taken the Power Pledge. But we want the Town to win this challenge,” said Mayor Adams. “Join the Orangeville team and take the Power Pledge today. And on August 11, use electricity very carefully. We will all win.”

Orangeville Hydro is offering a free Power Pledge barbecue meal for those who take the pledge. The barbecue is open to the public, at a minimal cost of $2 per person, on August 11 at Rotary Park from 12 noon to 6 p.m. so you can save your electricity that day and eat in the park.

Competition for the Community Challenge is already heating up, according to the Ontario Power Authority, organizer of the province-wide campaign. Some 90 communities representing 82 per cent of Ontarians are joining in for the event. To date, over 117,300 Power Pledges have been submitted from all corners of the province.

Don’t forget to turn off and plug out all non essential lights, appliances and equipment on August 11

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Community Challenge Day, and conserve whenever possible every other day of the year!