THE PUBLIC MIND: LICENSING OF CONTRACTORS WOULD ONLY HURT `LITTLE GUYS'

To the Editor:

Citizens of Cape Girardeau, beware. Should we pass the ordinance to require the licensing of electricians and contractors, prepare to pay more and wait longer for small jobs, or risk violation of the law. If you are a do-it-yourselfer you will quite probably find that putting your skill to work is illegal since you are not an "electrician" or a "contractor."

Licensing requirements such as these are a boon for three groups: large, established contractors, insurance companies and trade unions. They are the downfall of small, independent craftsmen who quite often do such work as a sideline and, accordingly, charge much less.

Unfortunately, the city staff seems little-informed and unprepared to comment on the scope and implications of this maneuver. My conversation today with the city inspectors illicited such comments such as, "I don't know what it will mean." "I've learned that the newspaper is never right," and "Take it up with the council." When queried about the ramifications of the contractor's licensing requirement in particular, I was told, "...my understanding (of the draft copy) is that any construction will have to be done by a licensed contractor."

Scary isn't it? While I am certain that this will not be stretched so far as to include Rover's new house, it will certainly extend to such routine matters as building/re-building a deck, replacing rotted porch posts, repairing a sagging floor, enclosing an existing carport, enlarging/adding a window or door, adding a closet, etc.

The City of Cape Girardeau already requires an electrical permit "to do anything other than replace an existing outlet or switch." Will these new requirements require a licensed electrician to do anything else? If so, get ready to hear quotes like "New plug-in huh? $75."

Our city inspection staff is already thorough in fact almost excessively vigilant as any of you who have dealt with them are very well aware. (Recall the restroom door in one of Mayor Rhode's buildings which was three-sixteenth's of an inch too narrow; the poor homeowner who had to virtually destroy his basement floor because there was no ledge inside the door to keep out water; and the denial of a request by one of our city council members for a variance of codes requiring that water heater overflows and central air-conditioning drains be vented.) Considering the picayune nature of these "violations," it is quite apparent that the city is already providing a sufficient "safety net" against the shoddy construction that this requirement is supposed to prevent.

Recently, I started a small, retail store in an older building. Even though it had been occupied (thus apparently approved by the city) a year before, the city required that we virtually re-wire the building (at considerable cost) before it was approved. Had I been obligated to hire an electrician, the cost would have been virtually unbearable and the store may never have opened.

We need a conscientious, objective and thorough examination of these new ordinances to be reported in a public form such as this newspaper. Also, those of us who will be most directly affected should attend any and all city council meetings where this matter is discussed. This is one instance where we "little guys" cannot stand by and have our livelihoods destroyed.

Michael W. Thies

Owner, Holiday Happenings

Cape Girardeau