State and local officials teamed up for a sting operation in Costa Mesa last week that ended with 14 being cited forillegal contracting and/or local business license violations, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) announced Wednesday.

13 Alleged Unlicensed Contractors Busted in State Sting in Dana Point

The CSLB teamed with the Orange County District Attorney's office and Costa Mesa's Police and Code Enforcement departments to conduct the sting operation on Feb. 11-12. Team members posed as homeowners who called the phony contractors for bids on improvement projects that included painting, flooring, tile work and a new concrete driveway and walkway at a South Coast Plaza-area home.

The location was determined due to Orange County's current home remodeling boom. In Costa Mesa, the number of building permits has increased 21 percent over the past three years, according to CSLB officials, who cautioned increased availability of work routinely creates an influx of unlicensed contractors hoping to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

The contacted tradespeople responded with bids ranging from $1,650 for interior painting to $13,000 for concrete work. Any home improvement job totaling $500 or more in combined labor and material costs requires that the person have a state-issued contractor license, the CSLB notes.

Fourteen unlicensed contractors provided illegal bids to the undercover investigators and now face a misdemeanor charge each of contracting without a license, according to the CSLB. Twelve of them also face misdemeanor charges of illegal advertising as California contracting law requires unlicensed individuals to state in all advertising that they are not licensed. Two may face additional charges of illegally using another contractor's license number, the CSLB says.

Thirteen of the phony contractors also were cited by Costa Mesa Code Enforcement for not having a city business license.

"The timing of the sting could not be better," says Costa Mesa Building Official Khanh Nguyen in a CSLB release. "We've had an increase in calls from residents regarding shoddy workmanship or unfinished work by unlicensed contractors."

"Many consumers don't realize the risk they take when they hire someone who isn't licensed to work in and around their home," adds CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. "Many ask for big down payments, and then end up abandoning a job, or doing lousy work. Once you give an unlicensed contractor a lot of money, it's very difficult to get it back."

At least there is the legal system to discourage any more of this by phony contractors. The 14 suspects must answer to their contracting violation charges on either May 6 or 13 at Orange County Superior Court's West Justice Center in Westminster. They are identified on the next page ...

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State Stings 14 Phony Contractors in Costa Mesa

Wellington City Council is making good progress on strengthening both ends of the Hataitai bus tunnel, with most work being done while the tunnel is open.

However, to safely repair and paint the portals and retaining walls, the tunnel will need to be closed for four weekends. This will mean changes for some bus users.

The tunnel will be closed - day and night, Saturdays and Sundays - on the following weekends:

- 28 February-1 March

- 14-15 March

- 21-22 March

- 11-12 April

The No 2 and 91 (Airport Flyer) services will use a different route on these days - travelling between Hataitai and the city via Kent and Cambridge terraces and the Mt Victoria road tunnel.

Temporary bus stops will operate in Taurima Street in Hataitai, replacing the usual ones on Waitoa Road adjacent to the tunnel and in the village.

People who normally get on or off buses in Elizabeth, Brougham or Pirie streets in Mt Victoria will need to use stops along Kent and Cambridge terraces instead.

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Weekend bus tunnel closures coming up

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G.A. Home Improvements Painting Contractors. Dayton, Oh

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The Finance Minister Michael Noonan says one of the reasons for a big increase in the maintenance budget for Government Buildings is the replacement of carpets because of health and safety concerns.

Last year just under 400,000 was spent on maintenance, but the budget for this year is estimated to be 1.4m.

Upgrading the phone system from analogue to digital as well as re-plastering works are some of the reasons for the increase.

But Michael Noonan says carpet replacement is also required.

He said: "The next project is a major upgrading of our electrical systems so that we comply with business requirements and health and safety standards.

"This will be followed by plastering and painting to bring the accommodation to an acceptable standard.

"Walls have been significantly damaged with the recent work, under-investment and general maintenance in recent years means that worn carpets in particular on stairs present a specific health and safety risk and indeed a legal risk as well."

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Noonan: Worn carpets account for some of Government's rise in maintenance bill

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Waukesha, Wis. (PRWEB) February 17, 2015

Safway Groups Vice President of Multiservices Tim Siemek has been elected 2015 President of the Coating Society of the Houston Area. An active participant in the Society for over 15 years, Siemek served the past three years on the executive board in various positions.

I am deeply honored to have the privilege of serving as the 2015 President of the Coating Society of the Houston Area, states Siemek. I look forward to working side-by-side with other board members, all volunteers from various companies who have dedicated their time to our cause, as we strive to accomplish the Societys goals.

By having a broad-based membership, the Coating Society of the Houston Area helps to foster and support best practices for the industry as a whole. I would like to thank each of the board participants and Society members for their dedication, hard work and personal perseverance, says Siemek. These are the components that make the Coating Society of the Houston Area the success it is.

Safway strives to support and improve the industries it serves, he said, adding, I look forward to working to improve our industry alongside my fellow society leaders and members, states Siemek.

Educating tomorrows coatings directors in corrosion prevention is critical to advancing the industry. There is a growing need for corrosion prevention, explains Siemek. By providing instruction and sharing our knowledge base on safe, best practices, we will ensure that future industry pioneers will have an in-depth understanding of the mitigation of this industry-wide problem. I hope to be able to continue the legacy left by all the board members over the last 50-plus years and with the support of every member, I know that we can make 2015 the best year yet!

Siemek is a 28-year veteran of the coatings industry. Since joining Safway Group in November 2012, Siemek has focused on ensuring the delivery of high performance scaffold, insulation and painting (SIP) products and expertise.

As President of the Coating Society of the Houston Area, Siemek will focus on education advocacy for the mitigation and prevention of corrosive damage through the disbursement of both academic and non-academic scholarships; serve as chairman for trade show committees; participate in special scholarship fundraising; and facilitate the by-laws of the Society.

Established in 1956, the Coating Society of the Houston Area serves owners, suppliers and contractors as a channel to share ideas and best practices for the control and mitigation of corrosion-related issues through the utilization of protective coatings and surface preparations. In the past five years alone, the Coating Society of the Houston Area has awarded more than 50 academic scholarships totaling over $60,000. Additionally, it has begun to partner with the NACE foundation, which awarded an additional $10,000 in 2014 for industry-specific scholarships.

About Safway Group With more than 95 locations in the U.S. and Canada and a growing system of distributors worldwide, Safway Group companies deliver efficient, high-performance multiservice solutions THE SMART WAY by collaborating, communicating and sharing resources. Offering experience and expertise in access, scaffolding, insulation, fireproofing, surface preparation and coatings, Safway Group companies include CL Coatings; Industrial Coatings & Fireproofing (ICF); Redi Solutions; Safway Atlantic; Safway Services; Safway Services Canada; S&E Bridge & Scaffold; and Swing Staging. With the largest engineering staff, an exclusive project management system, award-winning safety excellence and a full line of products and services, Safway Group companies design and implement innovative, quality solutions at the lowest installed cost for projects of any size and scope. Safway has been an industry leader since 1936. Safway Group companies serve the petrochemical, oil and gas, power, refining, marine, manufacturing, transportation and commercial construction industries worldwide. For more information about Safway Groups services and capabilities, visit http://www.safwaygroup.com.

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Safways Siemek Named President of Coating Society