Joe Marier Construction

I was letting my dogs out into our backyard a few weeks ago when I saw a large cloud, of what looked like smoke, filling our backyard. I stepped out and realized it didn't smell like smoke, so I went to my front door to see where it was coming from. There was someone cutting our neighbors concrete driveway and concrete dust was Everywhere. I'm not exaggerating, because it was a windy day and there were 15' to 20' high plumes of concrete dust blowing in 3 different directions. To top it off the cutting was happening not more than 10' from my car! I took some quick short videos of this and then went out to stop the cutting.

I had to get within 2 ft of the work and inhale concrete dust to get his attention (I found out later it was the owner) and got a blank awkward stare. So I signaled to shut off the saw and when he did I was very nice and calm when I said that there is concrete dust blowing everywhere because he needs to be using a hose attachment / wet saw for this work. He was also nice when he claimed he had just waited for the wind to die down. I mentioned that I had been in my backyard when I noticed what looked like smoke everywhere, so it's still very windy. I also mentioned that even without wind, it's a safety hazard to not be cutting with a wet saw or have some way to keep the concrete dust from traveling/being breathed in. He said, and I quote, "It's just dust."

I sort of laughed, because I wasn't sure if he was joking and responded that if that was just dust that OSHA wouldn't have rules on how to handle it. He waived that off while stating something about how that is "new" stuff (like it was hogwash or irrelevant). I ended up going back inside, but a few minutes later he had already hooked up a hose from the faucet on the house to his saw and was making his final cut.

So I waited until he looked like he was close to done with work and cleaning up, so that I could talk to him again and give him my number. Despite all that I've mentioned I was still calm and nice, because I know being angry and blowing up doesn't help resolve things any faster. I simply started by voicing my worry about my car, telling him I don't want this to be a big deal or any money, but that my car was the closest to his work and I don't know what to do about it. He was quick to laugh it off and say more forcefully this time, "It's just dust! What do you want me to do?" I said that I know concrete dust can damage paint and that I wanted him to have my name and number so that he could call if he has something he thinks he can do to make sure that doesn't happen. He said, "I'll tell you what, I'll give you $20 and you can go get a car wash." Again, I said I don't want money and I definately don't want to go get a car wash, because it said online that if the concrete isn't washed of in a certain solution that it will hard permanently or that it could scratch etc. I made it clear that I didn't want to be the one who ends up ruining my car exterior. He just got very frustrated and kept saying how it wasn't a big deal and that there's nothing else he can do. So instead of bringing up anything else, I simply remined him that he has my name and number and that he has a few days to try to find a solution to cleaning the exterior of my car before it rains and could become permanently damage.

First off, he said he waited until the wind died down, but I wouldn't have known he was even there unless I saw the clouds of concrete dust going over my yard, porch and dogs. Secondly, he knew how to use the water hose with the saw and that he should be using it and made it clear he just didn't care. Lastly, he was piss poor at handling an honest concern after HIS misteps. I went to call the company and as I called I saw him answer his phone and quickly realized he is the owner! Great. Who knows how many outdoor kids toys, cars, siding on houses, intake exhaust vents or animals have had damage to them due to this one mans inability to take 3 to 5 minutes to