ilted worker punches, threatens man with sledgehammer attack By Erin Smith Thu Jul 10, 2008, 09:20 AM EDT * Tools: * E-Mail * Print * Comments * Share * StumbleUpon * Newsvine * del.icio.us * Digg Somerville - A construction worker felt jilted enough by a deal gone bad that he attacked his former client’s son with a sledgehammer, police said. When Police Officer Alan Monaco responded to 22 Thorpe St. on July 6, a 44-year-old Somerville man told him Somerville resident Gedeon Oliveira had done some work at the victim’s mother’s Thorpe Street house, and there was a disagreement about money. The mother allegedly gave Oliveira $600 and asked him to leave and not finish the job, according to police reports. About two hours later, at about 8:45 p.m., Oliveira alleged returned to Thorpe Street with a sledgehammer and told the man he was going to rip down the work completed at the mother’s house, according to reports. The victim told police he was frightened for his life because of the way Oliveira was swinging the hammer at him. The victim unsuccessfully tried to calm Oliveira, according to police reports. Oliveira then allegedly punched the victim in the head — as the victim’s wife and two teenage sons watched — before leaving the area, police said. Oliveira, 46, of 77 Munroe St., faces charges of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and batteryLetter: The internet is mightier than a sledgehammer Fri Jul 11, 2008, 10:43 AM EDT Somerville - Dear Editor: I read with interest the story of Gedeon Oliveira, the alleged attacker of a client on whose house he worked. While this story of a contractor taking untoward action against a client may be uncommon, the circumstances leading to the attack are not. Client-contractor disputes are all too common because the contractor is the least likely person to afford either the time or the finances to take the civil action against the client, and when he does, the contractor finds unsympathetic ears in court, in the media, or with official agencies. In fact, this man reacted, albeit unwisely, to the climate of the construction business lately. The man obviously felt he had nowhere to turn, therefore Oliveira made a hasty and unwise decision to tear out his unpaid work. Mistakes in this situation abound, and many questions need answers. Had the client properly researched the worker? Was the agreement in writing? Was the worker licensed? Had the contractor researched the client? Was the work hourly, cost plus, or stated price? Were the complaints about the work discussed rationally with the intent to settle? The client has many resources and all of the power because she has the money and owns the property, but the contractor has few avenues. He normally doesn't ask for references. All he knows is that there is work to be done and that he is willing to do it. Because the contractor has had no way to check out a client, or anybody else, we established thecontractorsside.com, a resource website where a contractor, a tradesman, or anyone connected to the construction industry can register a complaint or can check out client, supplier, official, or agency online. What happened between Mr. Oliveira and the client could have been avoided if information on both were readily available. These things happen? They don't need to. If the client were listed as difficult, the contractor could have said "No thanks," and never would have faced the situation. Information is power, and sometimes, it's the power to just say no. Admittedly, thecontractorsside.com weights toward the tradesman, but the site offers the opportunity to answer because an e-mail of notification is automatically generated to person about whom the complaint is posted. The world of construction, as common as it may be, is unfamiliar territory to most clients, but resources are available. It is a different story for the contractor…until now. Lee W. Dodson Owner thecontractorsside.com