Dear Eric: My husband and I live next door to a family that, when having work done at their house, tends to use low-wage, unlicensed workers. We found out they are getting their driveway repaved.
The men we saw with our neighbor were in an unmarked truck and may not be professional concrete workers. I said to my husband that if they start jackhammering into the driveway without calling the utility company to get the underground utilities marked, I was going to call the utility company. My husband said I was not to do that.
My husband said I am being nosy. I said I am not nosy but concerned. If they hit a gas line, there could be consequences for our house, as well as for many others in the neighborhood. So, am I too nosy or rightfully concerned?
Eric says: Your concern is valid; the consequences of hitting a utility line probably would impact more than just you. But waiting until the jackhammer revs to life is too late. The national Call Before Your Dig number is 811. Notice that it says “call before you dig.”
It’s better that the property owners call because the callers need to know the type of project being undertaken and the exact area on the property where the workers are planning to dig.
Reminding your neighbors and their workers of the importance of doing this in advance may stave off your husband’s “nosy” accusations (unfounded, I think). Plus, it’s the law.
Drink up
Dear Eric: At the family Thanksgiving gathering, my father-in-law’s girlfriend was asked to pass my drink to me. Instead of grabbing the cup on the outside, she put a finger on the inside and a finger on the outside to lift it.
This woman is just an awful, disgusting person in general. She is a hoarder, neglects her animals and is highly disliked by everyone in the family except my father-in-law.
