Lowell, Massachusetts – For Cambodian American residents of Lowell, Massachusetts, the upcoming midterm vote is chance to voice concerns on a list of local concerns familiar throughout the U.S. – potholes, schools and housing costs.
Sreang Heng, the Cambodia-born owner of Heng Heng Auto Repair near Lowell’s Koumantzelis Park-Roberto Clemente Baseball Field, said potholes are taking a toll on his customers’ vehicles, which come to him with damaged tires and tie rods. While this means more work for auto repair shops like his, he’d rather not have it because of the social cost, especially to those who cannot afford to make all the repairs needed at one time.
‘Most of them complain the spare parts are expensive because taxes are already included, so they bargain for the reduction of service charges,’ said the 46-year-old who arrived in the U.S. in 2016.
Located on the Merrimack River,…
