Dorothy and Marv Davenport received plenty of community sympathy after they lost $6,000 in an asphalt paving scam earlier this month. One Longview company even repaired the shoddy job for free.

The Cathlamet couple were approached on Aug. 1 by a man offering a deal for asphalt left over from another job. The small paving job at the Elochoman Valley Road home turned into a more extensive project. At the end of it, the workers demanded $9,000, with the Davenports eventually agreeing to pay $6,000.

The couple blamed themselves for falling for the scam. But following the Aug. 8 Daily News story, Dorothy Davenport said several people told her about their similar experiences.

People were very sympathetic. It made me feel better that we werent the only ones, though I feel bad they had to go through the same situation, too, Davenport, 75, said Thursday.

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is still investigating the case.

After reading the Davenports story, Scott Schill, manager of Accurate Asphalt Solutions in Longview, offered to repair the driveway for free. Schill said he sees paving scams all the time and hates how scammers have blighted the industry.

I was heartbroken. Ive done work for the family. Theyre part of my customer base, so I wanted to take care of them, Schill said Thursday. Theyre good people.

After surveying the bad paving job, Schill said he wouldnt have even paid $6,000.

They got ripped off. Some of that asphalt was a half-inch thick. It wouldnt have made it through the winter, he said.

Workers spent eight hours Wednesday cutting out the bad asphalt and laying down new blacktop, which was donated by Lakeside Industries. Davenport said she was grateful for the generosity from Accurate Asphalt and Lakeside, which saved the family from waiting just before winter to get the pavement repaired.

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Local businesses step up to help couple caught in driveway scam

Smithtown, NY (PRWEB) August 20, 2014

Flawless Paving, a Long Island-based asphalt paving company, announces the addition of sealcoating to its already extensive array of services being offered to customers in the New York metropolitan area.

Flawless specializes in all aspects of construction & maintenance including parking lot paving, patching, road construction, driveways, drainage, and striping. Flawless also provides masonry including bricks, blocks, paving stones, structural and poured/finished concrete. A detailed description of all the company's services is available on its website flawlesspaving.com.

The company features a full management staff to ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish. Flawless Paving owns all of its own equipment including, trucks, machines, steamrollers and excavation equipment and employs respectable operators and laborers. Flawless doesn't rely on subcontractors and that allows the staff to stay in control of a project and demand top quality craftsmanship.

Sealcoating asphalt is extremely important to protect it against harsh winters and strong sunlight in the summertime. Sealant also protects driveways and other asphalt surfaces from oil and fuel leaks, as well as improve traction for drivers and pedestrians.

Flawless Paving only uses high quality Velvetop products, which are durable and extend the surface's lifespan. Consumers should beware of contractors who dilute sealer with water or mix it with off brand products to maximize profits. Flawless uses only Velvetop slurry mix blacktop sealer, known as the premier sealer on the market. The sealcoating is always hand applied with quality brushes to assure maximum coverage and protection.

Before sealing a parking lot or driveway, it is important to fill all cracks to prevent water from penetrating the asphalt and causing more damage to the paved area. Flawless uses all commercial grade hot application crack filling materials to best protect parking lots or driveways. After sealing is complete, Flawless Sealcoating can re-stripe all parking spaces.

Flawless Paving specializes in both residential and commercial applications, regardless of size, and is fully insured with licenses in New York, East Hampton, Southampton and the five New York City boroughs.

Flawless offers free estimates on paving and sealcoating projects. In Nassau and Queens, call (516) 781-3512 or in Suffolk dial (631) 366-3512. To learn about Flawless Paving's services, log on to the company's website.

Read more here:
Flawless Paving Adds Sealcoating to Their List of Services

Staff Photo by Joe Sarno

The driveway and parking lot at the North Boulevard Elementary School was recently repaved due to its poor condition.

The North Boulevard Elementary School's parking lot was repaved early last week, Board of Education Business Administrator Barbara Decker said Tuesday, and the refurbishment will be complete before school starts on Sept. 3.

"The [parking lot] looks beautiful," Decker said. "They should be in good shape."

The resurfacing, which was done by the Fairview-based J.J. Sinisi Asphalt Paving, cost about $93,000 and included small sidewalk repairs. The funding came from the district budget's capital reserve.

Decker said previously that the lot, which also features a long driveway that leads onto the Boulevard, was in such poor shape that patching would not have been adequate.

Striping was scheduled for this weekend.

Steve Janoski

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Fresh paving and striping for fresh year at North Boulevard

New Jerseys Trusted Name for Residential and Commercial Paving Since 1986

When youre looking to hire a NJ paving contractor for your next residential or commercial project, its important that you work with a company that has the experience with the types of paving project youre looking to do. Godfrey Nichols has been paving since he was 17 years old. With over 30 years of experience as top paving contractor in New Jersey, Godfrey and the team have the expertise to ensure that your project is a success.

When it comes to NJ residential paving, we tend to focus along the Jersey Shore area. If youre a homeowner or a landlord in Monmouth, Ocean, or Middlesex Counties, we will be happy to provide you with a free estimate with a cost breakdown on all of the components so you understand exactly what you are getting and all of the prices involved. So whether youre looking for a Monmouth County paving contractor or an Ocean County paving contractor, give us a call or contact us through our website for a free consultation and estimate.

When it comes to driveway paving in NJ other than the Jersey Shore areas, we honestly find it difficult to be competitive with prices. As you can imagine, hauling our paving equipment all over the state can be expensive and is not an efficient use of our time or your money. Call the NJ Driveway Paving Experts Today!

Re-paving your driveway or adding a new patio not only improves the look of your New Jersey home. It also increases the value of your property.Since 1986, G.Nichols Paving Contractor Inc., has been providing residential and commercial paving in New Jersey. Godfrey Nicholsand his crew of experienced, courteous and knowledgeable workers complete every job with the pride of quality workmanship.

When it comes to larger projects such as the following, we are competitive throughout the state of New Jersey:

Commercial parking lots in particular are usually subject to a lot of wear and tear. First, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country. Second, we can experience some relatively harsh weather, when it is extremely hot during the summer and freezing cold and icy during the winter months.

These two factors combined mean that NJ commercial paving projects seem to be going on everywhere you look. Its difficult for parking lots to get a break with all that traffic.

At G. Nichols Paving, we always recommend that property management companies and facilities managers get on a regular schedule when it comes to parking lot paving and commercial paving in New Jersey. Whether you have the financial resources to re-pave or re-seal your parking lot every few years, or whether a little touch up work and care on an annual basis is more appropriate, we will make sure that you get the longest life out of your asphalt paving.

See more here:
#1 Monmouth & Ocean County NJ Paving Contractor

Freda DGuerra thought she found the right paving contractor for the job. The Mississauga woman and her husband were searching for someone to install interlocking stones at their home. After some research, the couple settled on Villas Paving, run by John Villano.

The way he spoke, I thought he knew what he was saying what he was going to do, said DGuerra, who called Global News in frustration six weeks after retaining Villanos company. She added that Villano dressed well and seemed to act in a professional manner.

DGuerra signed a contract for $8,500. She agreed to pay $3,500 in cash to Villas Paving, with the balance due on completion. DGuerra says she was assured the job would be done in two to three weeks.

But six weeks later, all thats been done is the removal of the old driveway and walkway. DGuerra says she and her family members have called Villano umpteen times trying to find out when the work would be completed. She says her calls have not been answered or returned.

I called you because I wanted some action, DGuerra told Global News, saying she didnt want another consumer to experience the same situation she did.

Global News caught up with Villano outside a residence in Mississauga; but the contractor saw the news camera and drove away, leaving his girlfriend on the sidewalk. The woman, who called herself Melinda, ran from the camera and refused to answer questions, later saying she had nothing to do with the business.

For about seven minutes, the news crew ran alongside the woman while Villano passed by several times, occasionally at high speed. Finally, he screeched to a stop to allow the woman in before backing up with tires squealing.

Raw Video: Sean OShea chases suspecteddelinquentcontractor

Later, in a text message to DGuerra, the contractor said: I had no intentions (sic) of not finishing the job at the house. He then threatened not to complete the work if Global News aired a story. If there is a story on TV tonight I will definitely not be finishing the job. And you can post this text message.

DGuera says she has no interest at this point in having Villanos company do any additional work given the track record.

See the article here:
She paid for paving but Mississauga consumer cant track down company

Years of struggle came to fruition Friday as Shaffer Road residents rejoiced as they watched the paving of their road.

Four years of fighting and praying finally coming to completion, said Steve Harnick, a resident of West Shaffer Road in Sanford.

Four years ago next month began a long and difficult wait for the asphalt to be laid on this one mile stretch. On Friday the asphalt was a welcome sight to Harnick and his neighbors.

In years past, signs along the side of the road were not as friendly. This time around, a new set of signs adorned the roadside signs of gratitude, right next to Fridays victory barbecue.

One sign read: Thank you Comish Finley, MCRC Manager Mr. Gupta, MDN Editor Mr. Telfer & Sam, (referring to Sam SanMigel, Midland County Road Commission superintendent).

For the first time in four years, Linda Friend and Susan Harnick were finally able to walk the entire length of the road without fear of potentially hazardous road dust.

Even members of the crew laying the asphalt were smiling. The workers had obtained this sign from the road: We love asphalt, and attached it to their vehicle. Harnick quickly grabbed the camera next to him, explaining how the whole process had been documented, and he shared the photos of the sign on the truck.

The road that Harnick and his neighbors live on was in need of repairs and was later pulverized a few years back. At the time, however, the road was not sealed and the dust particles that remained contributed to numerous concerns.

It was a safety hazard, a rust hazard, a health hazard, said resident Mike Weaver.

Weaver owns property on the south side of the road, across from Harnick.

More here:
Neighbors celebrate paving of Midland County's Shaffer Road

Road work will close Grove Street from Route 35 to Old Quarry Road on Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, and Ledges Road will likely close in the afternoon.

The road work milling of the road surface in advance of paving it is expect to go from 7 a.m. to about noon.

Paving of the two roads is planned later in the week, probably starting Thursday, depending on the weather.

During Tuesdays milling, work crews will allow travelers limited access to commercial buildings off Grove Street, as well as the rear entrance-exit to Casagmo.

Casagmo traffic will be expected to enter the condominium complex via the Main Street driveway, but will be allowed to exit via the Grove Street driveway although there may be a wait.

Were going to keep it open as long as we possibly can, said Highway Department Foreman Dave Buccitti.

When were working right in front of their driveway, itll be closed off.

The milling work is an operation that moves down the street, so the waits shouldnt be too long, he said.

Originally posted here:
Road Work will close Grove Street Tuesday

Dorothy and Marv Davenport say they should have known better, but recently lost $6,000 in an asphalt paving scam. Now, the Cathlamet couple want other people to learn from their mistake.

We dont like to admit it, but I guess were in the senior citizen category now and I know thats who is most vulnerable to these things, said Dorothy, 75. Its been a bad lesson for us.

The Davenports were minding their own business on Elochoman Valley Road on Aug. 1, she said, when a man in a truck pulled up offering a deal on a little bit of asphalt he said he had left over from another job.

They agreed to a small paving job, but soon noticed the crew doing much more work than they had agreed to.

When questioned, the workers said it just made sense to do the whole thing and offered what they called a great deal at only $2,000, Dorothy said.

When they were done, though, they demanded $9,000.

I said Youve got to be kidding, Dorothy said.

Next, the man offered to knock it down to $7,000.

Eventually, Marv Davenport ended up giving him $6,000 in cash for the larger-than-asked-for job, which the couple now admits was a mistake.

We didnt sleep good at all after that, she said.

See the original post:
Couple taken in by shoddy paving job they didn't want

One Sherwood Park resident who is upset that some households are paying for sidewalk replacement, while others arent, will be taking his complaints to a future council meeting.

The issue for William Kidd, a resident of Village Estates, began in February 2011, when a paperboy for the Sherwood Park News slipped on the curb of the sidewalk out front of Kidds home, hitting his head quite hard.

The grater had taken out part of the stones there it was slippery, it was jagged and thats where he went down, he said, noting his sidewalk hasnt been replaced in its 32 year existence.

While the boy was eventually fine, Kidd said he phoned Ward 1 councillor Vic Bidzinski and voiced his concerns. In turn, Bidzinski and Ian Gray, director of Transportation and Agriculture Services with the county, visited the Kidd household and inspected the area in question.

Mr. Gray said to me, We cant do your whole curb driveway right now, we just dont have the funds, Kidd recalled.

He said to me, Were going to do your whole area in two years. That was in 2011.

Two years following the meeting, Kidd said Strathcona County and Devlin Construction returned to pull and repair sidewalks in the area.

While Kidd had been told by the inspector on duty that the sidewalk in front of his home was a hazard and needed to be removed, he said crews had pulled out nearly all of the sidewalk on his side of the block, except for a section along his property line and along a neighbours property line.

I was left with five sets of sidewalk, Kidd said. They did pull out the curb area where the young fellow had fallen, which I was very grateful for, but my argument was that if youre going to come into an area and do this, at least pull out everybodys treat everybody equally.

Strathcona Countys residential paving program is one that combines spot concrete removal and replacement, and asphalt rehabilitation.

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Sidewalk headaches in the Estates

Paul Rignell

Columbus Reporter

Columbus City Council voted on Wednesday, July 23 to move ahead on new paving of gravel roads in two areas this fall after public hearings were held for neighbors to speak.

The residents who spoke from one of the neighborhoods were all in favor of getting paved roads along with being billed thousands of dollars in assessments. Vocal neighbors from the other area under review by the council, however, were decidedly split whether asphalt roads and higher costs would be a good trade-off.

Four council members, with Mayor Dave Povolny absent, first opened discussion on a neighborhood involving 33 lots that could be billed on 177th Lane, 178th Lane and Heidelberg Street.

An estimated month of work, ending in mid-October, would end with topping those roads with 3 inches of asphalt. City Engineer Larry Bohrer projected the neighborhoods cost at $270,100 for a price per lot of $8,185.

Residents speak

Doug Palmer, a resident who said he has lived on 177th Lane since 1987, introduced himself as the neighbor who began a petition to work with the city on paving in the neighborhood.

I am really, really glad to see it at this stage right now, Palmer said. I think it is long overdue to have this (these roads) updated.

Most lots in the other area where the city is considering road paving this year, on Bender Street and 184th Avenue, would be assessed $8,581 per lot based on the engineers total estimate of $188,790.

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Columbus moving ahead with paving gravel roads