Jilted worker punches, threatens man with sledgehammer attack
By Erin Smith
Thu Jul 10, 2008, 09:20 AM
Somerville -
A
construction worker felt jilted enough by a deal gone bad that he
attacked his former client's son with a sledgehammer, police said.
When Police Officer Alan Monaco responded to 22 Thorpe St. on July
6, a 44-year-old Somerville man told him Somerville resident Gedeon
Oliveira had done some work at the victim's mother's Thorpe Street
house, and there was a disagreement about money. The mother allegedly
gave Oliveira $600 and asked him to leave and not finish the job,
according to police reports.
About two hours later, at about 8:45 p.m., Oliveira alleged returned
to Thorpe Street with a sledgehammer and told the man he was going to
rip down the work completed at the mother's house, according to reports.
The victim told police he was frightened for his life because of the
way Oliveira was swinging the hammer at him. The victim unsuccessfully
tried to calm Oliveira, according to police reports. Oliveira then
allegedly punched the victim in the head — as the victim's wife and two
teenage sons watched — before leaving the area, police said.
Oliveira, 46, of 77 Munroe St., faces charges of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and a
thecontractorsside.com
Lee W. Dodson
3508 Loma Lada Drive
Los Angeles CA 90065
818-737-1336
323.243.0404
July 10, 2008
Editor
Somerville Journal
Re: Sledgehammer
Assault
The Internet is Mightier Than a Sledgehammer
Dear Editor:
Read with interest the story of Gedeon Oliveira, the alleged
attacker of a client on whose house he worked.
While this story of a contractor taking untoward action
against a client may be uncommon, the circumstances leading to the attack are
not. Client-contractor disputes are all too common because the contractor is
the least likely person to afford either the time or the finances to take the
civil action against the client, and when he does, the contractor finds
unsympathetic ears in court, in the media, or with official agencies.
In fact, this man reacted, albeit unwisely, to the climate
of the construction business lately. The man obviously felt he had nowhere to
turn, therefore Oliveira made a hasty and unwise decision to tear out his
unpaid work.
Mistakes in this situation abound, and many questions need
answers. Had the client properly researched the worker? Was the agreement in
writing? Was the worker licensed? Had the contractor researched the client? Was
the work hourly, cost plus, or stated price? Were the complaints about the work
discussed rationally with the intent to settle?
The client has many resources and all of the power because
she has the money and owns the property, but the contractor has few avenues. He
normally doesn't ask for references. All he knows is that there is work to be
done and that he is willing to do it.
Because the contractor has had no way to check out a client,
or anybody else, we established thecontractorsside.com,
a resource website where a contractor, a tradesman, or anyone connected to the
construction industry can register a complaint or can check out client,
supplier, official, or agency online.
What happened between Mr. Oliveira and the client could have
been avoided if information on both were readily available.
These things happen? They don't need to.
If the client were listed as difficult, the contractor could
have said "No thanks," and never would have faced the situation. Information is
power, and sometimes, it's the power to just say no.
Admittedly, thecontractorsside.com weights toward the
tradesman, but on the site
Offers the opportunity to answer because an e-mail of
notification is automatically generated to person about whom the complaint is
posted.
The world of construction, as common as it may be, is
unfamiliar territory to most clients, but resources are available. It is a
different story for the contractor…until now.
Check out http://www.thecontractorsside.com.
If nothing else, it is interesting.
Respects,
Lee W. Dodson
Owner
thecontractorsside.com
