Today's Feature

Sign Was Difficult to Move.

Workers ran into an unexpected difficulty when trying to move a sign at the corner of Garrison and Fairview recently. Dynamic Signs of Carthage was awarded the bid to relocate signs for Aldi Grocery and UMB bank, part of the intersection improvements being done by the City and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler explained the complication to the Public Works committee last week. Wampler said that when the workers tried to remove the 10 inch diameter steel pole which held the Aldi sign they discovered that it was set in a block of concrete approximately 4 feet wide, 8 feet long and 8 feet deep. It became apparent that the workers would be unable to remove the pole from what Wampler described as, "more concrete than you would need to put down a small barn."

The pole was instead cut off slightly below ground level and a new pole will be used for the sign in its new location. The Public Works committee approved a change order in the amount of $742.98 for the replacement pole. Dynamic Signs plans to have the project completed when the new pole arrives, later this week.

Like seein’ how far and high I can jump a chat pile on a bicycle. I can remember spendin’ summer hours with a couple a friends developin’ the guts and skill to accomplish a good long jump. I don’t think about that much anymore. Just not interested.

Don’t know if it’s cause I’m smarter or just don’t have the energy, but it’s way down on the long list of things I do have an interest in. It’s down there with learnin’ how to do tricks on a skateboard, or playin’ football. Use ta be pretty important stuff.

I still do get the urge ever now and then to play a little softball, but the thought of slidin’ home and gettin’ a mouth full of catcher’s mitt usually calms the desire.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Contractor Says It’s Too Humid to Paint

Q: I am having a painter come in and repaint some interior rooms of my home this month. The painter told me it would only take a couple of days, asked for an advance payment of $500, and said he would start the next Monday. So far it has been two weeks since he made that appointment and he has yet to start. I called the company and was told that because it has been raining so much, it’s too humid to paint. Is this true? If not, how do I get my money back? -- Sandra L., Concord, N.H.

A: Excess humidity can have an effect on interior paint’s adherence to wall surfaces, causing paint to wrinkle, blister, crack and peel. So, if it is exceedingly rainy and humid outdoors, your painter may be exercising caution by delaying the work until the sun comes out, to avoid having to do the job all over again much sooner than anyone would like.

The contractor responded to your phone call, which is a good thing; however, he does need to confirm that as soon as the weather dries up, he will be over there doing the job he promised to do. Be polite but persistent in calling him daily and get him to commit to a time and date -- after all, you have to take time out of your schedule to let him in to do the work.

I’m hoping you got some sort of estimate on cost and time in writing, or better yet, a written sales contract. But many contractors are hired with a handshake. If this is the case, set a time limit for him. If the contractor fails to start (and complete) the work within a certain period of time -- say, a month from the time he said he would begin -- I’d recommend you ask for the advance back.

If he fails to complete the job or absconds with your advance, you should certainly file a report with the Better Business Bureau and consider getting the money back through small claims court.

HOME TIP: Insist upon written estimates and agreements with repair contractors, including details of work to be done, labor and materials costs, and when the contractor will start.

Send questions or home-repair tips to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.