Mon May 04, 2009 at 23:47:18 PM EDT
|
|
It was the best of crimes, it was the worst of crimes.
A local television station just had an interesting report about local contractors. Due to hard times, it seems many of "small-time" home contractors are not keeping their licenses and insurance current. The result would be that if they were injured at your home, you and your homeowner's insurance company would be liable.
As is often the case with local television stations, the reporter identified this problem, created the appropriate "Call for Action" and proceeded to film a state sting operation. This is the sort of thing I adamantly oppose for many reasons, but this time I saw something I had never seen before. |
| vox humana :: A Tale of Two Pities |
| The first contractor, as one comes to expect with these sorts of reports, denied every charge that was leveled at him. In fact and rather comically, in his interview (how can people in such situations agree to be interviewed? I don't get it) he claimed to be a car dealer who was there to mow the lawn. He made this absurd claim while occasionally looking the reporter (and the "audience") right in the eyes.
The second contractor featured, however, was quite a different story. Sitting at a couch, his head was bowed in embarrassment. It seems this man had claimed someone else's license number as his own; his license had expired two years ago. When asked if he did this he said quite simply that he did, and he did it because the economy was bad and he needed the work. When asked if he knew it was illegal to do so he again admitted he did know this. He too looked the reporter in the eyes but while admitting wrongdoing. The reporter told us in her "wrap" that after the interview, he went and renewed his license - he had never had any complaints against him and and had no violations.
Is it wrong that by the end of the report I found myself rooting for him? Apparently he will face no charges as he immediately made amends.
I have to say that, contrary to these usual sting stories, state officials seemed quite understanding of why these contractors are doing this. Two different people from the licensing agency acknowledged the hard times these small businesspeople face and that under the dire economic circumstances people can "cut corners" without considering the consequences.
Score one for honesty, forgiveness and second chances. I would hope, under those circumstances, all his clients will come back or continue to support him. |
|
|
