Jim Hawkins' plans for establishing a sober living home has been greatly compromised as a result of the article published in the May 30 issue of the Pahrump Valley Times.

Because of misinformation, it was not possible to contact Hawkins at the time of the article; therefore his side of the story was unavailable. The record will now be put straight.

Hawkins said, "I never applied for a license as a halfway house. My intent was to open a sober living home for those trying to get there life together and rejoin the community. I have my business license to operate as Progress House from both the town and the state."

According to Hawkins, it was the Planning Division that placed his home under the title of a halfway house, as a sober living home was not directly identified in Nevada Statutes. (Reference the May 30 issue regarding information obtained from the Planning Division.)

He used his own personal funds for all expenses related to opening the home, and still plans to continue with this endeavor.

The name Progress House was a name chosen by Hawkins and has no connection with the California facility, although Hawkins said, "I did help establish that facility many years ago.

"The early article made it sound as if I was opening another such facility as part of that one. My home has absolutely no connection with it or any other. I simply liked the name as it applies to the people who will hopefully be there."

Regarding review by the Fire Marshal, with receipt in hand, Hawkins said, "I paid the fee for this inspection, but no one from the Fire Department ever came to check it.

"I was there to oversee those entering my home," said Hawkins. "The one very specific requirement is that they be clean and sober at least three days prior to coming here. Any other form of supervision is not required."

Hawkins also disputes comments made by neighbors in the previous article. Hawkins said, "Everything they said was not true. They should apologize to me for their false representations. The house was not 'closed' by anyone on May 18. I closed it." The PVT will make no further comment on this issue.

He plans to reopen his home, to those in need of a place to stay while they complete their efforts to live a normal life, in the near future. The PVT and this reporter had no intention to deny him or anyone from being able to do so.

Anyone who would like to help Hawkins and those in the community who need such help, contact him by calling Progress House at 751-0606.