7 LV-area contractors lose licenses

Phil Levin

Monday, Jan. 3, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

The Nevada State Contractors Board last month revoked 10 licences from seven Southern Nevada companies.

On Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, the board revoked the licences from:

Company owner Clark Ellsworth said he "had no idea this was happening, as no one from the board ever notified us about this.

"I just renewed my licence in September, so they would have had no problem reaching me. I've been in business in Las Vegas for 15 years and have had only two minor complaints in all that time."

Ellsworth said both he and the owner of the business involved in the investigation "thought this was resolved" and were "shocked" at the news that his licence had been revoked. Ellsworth said his attorney is petitioning for a rehearing on Jan. 11.

However, company owner Gary Barton disputed the charges, and said he was not given ample opportunity to state his case due to his late arrival at the board meeting.

"I was late by about one-half hour and they refused to allow me to present my side," he said. As to the charge of doing business with an unlicensed contractor, Barton said he was "misled by installers, and had nothing to go on but their references. As a small business person, that's all you can do."