State Representative Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell) earlier this week sent a letter to Massachusetts Attorney General asking her to look into certain paving companies operating in the state and the City of Lowell. (full letter published below)
Responding to reports of “deceptive and potentially unlawful practices by certain paving companies,” Elliott wrote they appear to target vulnerable individuals, including the elderly.
The 16th Middlesex Representative specifically mentioned being contacted by several members of the Cambodian community who described being approached about a “free estimate or inspection.”
However, it is alleged these companies then begin paving operations without consent or a signed contract, ultimately presenting a hefty bill and pressuring the property owner for immediate payment. The work is also performed without proper permitting, leading to issues with city inspectors.
If warranted, Elliott asks the AG to take enforcement action to protect consumers and deter further such conduct.
One response to “Rep. Elliott Seeks Investigation of Paving Scams”
Respectfully to both Senator Howard & Representative Elliott, Lowell has, and will potentially have, no voice or voting power in TWO of our State Representative seats. This means when critical decisions are to be made at the State House, nobody is casting a vote on behalf of the hardworking taxpayers. I understand that Representative Elliott wants to finish his term without pay, but the State Ethics Commission has to review it first, and If they say no, this seat will also sit completely empty for the rest of the year.
I wondered why they just couldn’t appoint a temporary replacement. I found out that in the Massachusetts Constitution, appointments are banned for THESE seats. Only a vote by the people can put someone in the State House. The law was made this way to “prevent a Governor or political party from hand-picking a temporary politician without the voters input”. As far as I’m concerned, the current system fails the hardworking taxpayers! We need to push for a “Proxy System” so that when a politician runs for office, they should have to name a trusted local backup if they have to leave office early for whatever reason. From what I understand, that backup will be able to step in within 24 hours just to cast votes until an election is held.
DId you all know that other states protect their hardworking taxpayers from this exact problem? Yup, 23 other states use fast appointment laws to fill empty seats within 15 to 20 days. In Massachusetts, they only have the Massachusetts Emergency Management Act, aka the “Emergency Succession Rule” which uses a proxy-style system for emergencies. It works by requiring elected leaders to have a list of “emergency successors” who can instantly take over their duties if a disaster happens. So this same model should be used for legislative vacancies too because a district losing its democratic vote is a “local representation emergency” that deserves the exact same type of backup plan! This is the only fair way that keeps the hardworking taxpayers representation in place. Because going months without advocacy and a vote isn’t fair or democratic!