DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know if any of your readers might know how to contact chimney cleaner (name withheld).

Two years ago, he stopped by and cleaned my chimney, and I fronted him some money that he said he needed for some materials he needed for a job. He promised to pay me back.

Since then, I have run into him three or four times, and he always has the same excuse but says he will stop by my house in a couple of days to pay me and will give me a free chimney clean because I helped him out. He never shows up.

The phone number I have for him is out of service and he no longer lives on Walnut and Pierce streets.

If I can locate him, all I want is that he makes good with his promises. That is why I want to locate him. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots had to withhold the name you gave because she has no way of verifying the information you provided. She could not find a chimney sweep by that name in the phone book or online.

For that matter, there is no way of knowing if he is even a legitimate chimney sweep. Anyone could come by your house and say he is, then go up on your roof and make some noise like he is working.

There is a man by the name you gave who was arrested and charged with home repair fraud in 2010. He went to older people’s homes and asked for upfront money for repairs, then never returned.

He was arrested and may still be in jail, but you should let the local police know what happened, so they can follow up with your case.

Please, readers, don’t hire someone who comes to your door. Legitimate repair people don’t have time to go around knocking on doors. They are actually working.

If you ever have any questions about whether you should hire someone, you could check with your local police or the Consumer Protection Service of the Maine Attorney General’s Office. You can reach them at 1-800-436-2131 (9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday), email consumer.mediation@maine.gov, or write Attorney General’s Consumer Division, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to your Aug. 3 column, Smedberg’s Crystal Spring Farm, Route 26, 1408 Main St., Oxford, also raises and sells its own meats. — G. Smedberg, smedbergfarm@hotmail.com, 743-6723

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I work for New Beginnings, a local nonprofit that provides youth with shelter, housing and family support services. In 2011, New Beginnings’ programs served approximately 750 youth and families from central and southern Maine. While in these programs, many youth remain in school or return to school or other training programs.

We are in need of supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, binders, folders, backpacks, planners, flash drives and calculators. As summer comes to end and people begin their school shopping, I would like to ask readers to consider donating school supplies for the youth we serve. Thank you to the Lewiston-Auburn community and surrounding areas for your continuing support over the years!

Please contact Rachel at our administrative office at 795-4077 for more information. Donations can be dropped off at 491 Main St., Lewiston. — Jada Caron, family services coordinator, emergency shelter, jada@newbeginmaine.org

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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