" This is very interesting... I agree with Joe Lonsky that the manner in which this "concern" was brought to a head is disgusting. If a town board wants to enforce an ordinance which requires contractors to carry a certain limit of liability insurance, or worker's compensation etc, they are within their rights and authority to do so. The problem here seems to be that the town of Locke simply wants to make it difficult for the Amish to operate within the limits of the town. There's a simple way to deal with this situation... Make everyone carry the proper coverages. Many towns and cities already do this. It does protect the homeowner in the end, and frankly it also protects the contractor as well. The harder issue is one of enforcement. They'll have to take the time to make sure everyone gets building permits for every project, and that every job (big and small) that is to be done by a contractor is accompanied by a valid insurance certificate. If the Amish trust fund can provide proof of financial responsibility, fine. What bothers me the most is that apparently nobody in the town of Locke's government seemed to care about uninsured contractors doing business before. It's been going on for years and they know it. I would also add, on the flip side of my agreement with Joe about the broader issue, that if a neighbor kid gets hurt raking his leaves, or helping cut firewood, or doing any of the myriad things we all did as kids, he will be personally and financially responsible. It happens, and good people lose lawsuits. AND let's not forget that if a weekend warrior builds your new deck or a set of steps, and they fail causing someone to be hurt... YOU'LL PAY DEARLY. There are legitimate costs to doing business. None of us like them, but we deal with them. "

" If having a contractor with insurance. Is important to you. Then hire only a insured contractor. The problem is having a "goverment" mandate. You you can or can not hire. This is the whole point. Its freedom of choice. So, Missy your point makes no sense. Ben makes a good point. He would not hire a contractor. Unless they have insurance. You can do the same with out the goverment sticking its nose in a private contract? "

" Not sure what all the fuss is about. If I hire a contractor to work on my house, I make sure they have appropriate insurance. If they don't, they don't work for me. "

" LET'S SEE. THE AMISH ARE HIRED TO CONSTRUCT A GARAGE FOR YOU AND THEY ACCIDENTALY LEAVE A BOARD WITH A NAIL STICKING OUT OF IT. YOUR CHILD IS RUNNING IN THE YARD, TRIPS AND FALLS ON THE NAIL WHICH GOES DEEP INTO HIS SPINE. THE MEDICAL BILLS AND THERIPY TO GET YOUR CHILD TO WALK AGAIN IS $1,000,000. THIS IS COVERED UNDER A CONTRACTORS POLICY WITH A MILLION DOLLAR LIMIT. CAN THE AMISH DO THE SAME? "