Editor Of The Citizen:

I can’t believe what I read in The Citizen article dated April 8, 2009 about the Florida Construction Lien Law. This brings to mind the Criminal Protection Extortion for money schemes, only this time it has been made the law by our elected state representatives.

Simply explained, if you hire a contractor, it is your responsibility to make sure that he has paid for the materials used on your home or business. If the contractor hasn’t paid for the material, then you are responsible even if you have paid in full with receipts for all the work.

This makes me wonder what kind of pressure was utilized to persuade our lawmakers to pass this unjust and unfair legislation in the Florida Construction Lion Law.

Over the last few years, my wife and I have had our roof replaced and had our home completely outfitted with hurricane shutters. What if either of these contractors had not paid for the materials used on our home?

I don’t know what I would have done.

So let this be a warning,if you own a business or a home, be double sure that your contractor has paid for all the materials used on your project, or you may be paying twice, thanks to this irrational law that every few people are aware of.

Steven S. Clar

Lehigh Acres