HALFWAY HOME DENIED

Slaed Jones long running battle to turn his property on East Selma Street in Dothan into a halfway home for rehabilitated drug offenders--women who would otherwise sleep on the street, came to a hault today after the Dothan City Zoning Board denied his request. "Were just going to continue on, were gonna fight it and eventually it will be open. I`m just trying to do some good with the house," said Jones. But some homeowners in the community, who oppose the establishment of the halfway home, also voiced their strong opinion to the zoning board. "Im sympathetic to the fact that they do need somewhere to go, but theres a lot of elderly people who live on that street, it could be dangerous for them," said Lisa Hatfield. But supporter Maureena Livermon says, "these people dont understand that when these women get out of their twenty-eight day rehab program, if they dont have anywhere to go, theyll be put back in the same situation. If theyre desperate thats when they can rob your house." The city zoning board denied Jones` request noting that there are currently no state guidelines set to govern the operation of the home.