Stormy weather as the one El Paso is experiencing now can produce a big demand for roofing contractors. It is also a great breeding ground for “storm chasers,” fly-by-night roofing contractors who sometimes go door-to-door offering their services enticing residents with incredibly low estimates or offering new roofs paid entirely by the insurance company.
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal has some recommendations for residents who are having problems with their roofs and are in need of hiring a contractor to fix their leaks:
· Hire only licensed or bonded contractors. They might be more expensive, but are the only ones who can offer you some peace of mind in case you are not happy with the repairs.
· Do not be rushed into signing any contract, especially if the contractor uses high-pressure sales tactics, such as today-only discounts.
· Always sign a detailed contract for the project, and get the terms and any warranties in writing.
· Before deciding to hire a contractor, do your homework. Get more than one estimate; ask for references from the companies, and search online for any complaint filed against the company or the individual, particularly with the El Paso Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/elpaso/). You can also call the El Paso County Attorney’s Office at (915) 546-2050 to find out about any pending or previous criminal cases involving a particular contractor.
· Never make full payment of the project upfront. A reputable legitimate home improvement company will NEVER ask for full payment upfront. However there are times when it’s industry standard for the homeowner to make a 50% deposit depending on the project, price and/or special order of the materials.
· Check with the City of El Paso to determine whether a city permit is needed for the roofing project. If one is required, ask the contractor obtain the permit. This will ensure he is bonded and insured.
“Most established roofing companies are trustworthy and professional. Consumers should be wary of an offer that sounds too good to be true – it probably is,” said El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal.
Any resident who feels has been the victim of a scam is asked to file a complaint with the El Paso Police Department at (915) 832-4436 or the El Paso Sheriff’s Office at (915) 546-2280. For more information, please call the Criminal Unit of the El Paso County Attorney’s Office at (915) 546-2050.
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Roofing Contractor Scams Press Release.pdf
El Paso County Attorney's Office and the University Medical Center of El Paso are partnering with the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) to promote the use of Advance Medical Directives (“medical wills”) in the community, particularly among the beneficiaries of public housing programs in El Paso County. The pilot program was created to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning.
As part of the campaign to promote the use of the “living wills,” attorneys from the County Attorney’s Office, and volunteers from the University Medical Center will be offering free assistance regarding advance care planning and advance directive forms on Wednesday September 17, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Hervey Community, 4949 Alps. All residents of El Paso County are encouraged to come and get assistance drafting their advance directives forms.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They provide a way for you to communicate your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals, and to avoid confusion later on.
A Directive to Physicians or Living Will tells how you feel about care intended to sustain life. You can accept or refuse medical care. There are many issues to address, including:
- The use of dialysis and breathing machines
- If you want to be resuscitated if breathing or heartbeat stops
- Tube feeding
- Organ or tissue donation
- Blood transfusions
A Medical Power of Attorney allows individuals to designate someone they trust to make health decisions if they are unable to do so.
As part of the program, the participating organizations will host similar events every month at different HACEP locations around El Paso. The events are open to the general public.
| October 16, 2014 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Father Pinto 1001 S. Ochoa St. El Paso, TX 79901 |
| November 13, 2014 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Alamito Terrace Community 509 St. Vrain El Paso, TX 79901 |
| December 6, 2014 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Baines Community 10661 Vista Del Sol El Paso, TX 79935 |
| January 20, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Father Ochoa 8820 Old County Rd. El Paso, TX 79907 |
| February 4, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Williams, Machuca Communities 1039 Sunland Park El Paso, TX 79922 |
| March 13, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Tays Community 2201 San Antonio St. El Paso, TX 79905 |
| April 7, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Paisano Green Community 4000 E. Paisano St. El Paso, TX 79905 |
Individuals interested in getting the Directive to Physicians and Medical Power of Attorney forms can download them by visiting the County Attorney’s web page at www.epcounty.com/ca. The forms are available in both English and Spanish.
WHO: Volunteers from the County Attorney’s Office and UMC
WHAT: Free Assistance in drafting “Living Wills”
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hervey Community, 4949 Alps
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2014 Living Wills Campaign Press Release 5.pdf