Efforts to thwart a halfway house end up helping "Save the Church"

expected in attendance But that was not the case at all The house was packed with 250 people interested in finding out more about the project and even then County Commissioner Johnny Waldrip showed up to inquire

"That's why they were looking for an unincorporated area with a house and some land They could start with a house and then start building these cabins or sheds " said Hunt

Gate Prison Ministry of Missouri purchased 26 acres with a 3bedroom house at 1589 Harrell Road in Howe to be used as a residential house for Texas parolees. Harrell Road residents ,including Rob Hunt, met to form a group to protest the group's landing in their backyard

The local house and program was to be called the North Texas Fort Good Shepherd and the purpose was a faith-based house The co-founder of the company, Rick Mathes planned to provide residence for 10 people coming out of Texas prisons The operation was to be run by Lynn Ferguson, long active in prison ministries in Texas

The ex-inmates were to use the property as an alternative house due paroled if they have no address to go to The ex-convicts were to attend and join a local church; meet a 10 p.m. curfew; attend classes every week night; not have any alcohol, drugs, pornography, weapons, have guests only with approval; and be employed by the second week. Howe opponents expressed grave doubts that 11 former prisoners living together could do so without problems, either among themselves or in the community

Bruce Dawsey, longtime law enforcement officer and now Howe ISD School Board member, led the charge and did most of the speaking at events held to rally opposition The group initially met at Robert Hunt's house on Dec 15, 2007 and only a few were

Hunt said that he first learned about the project from Jerry Helvey, who had stropped to ask questions of the new property owners. After Hunt learned about it, within six hours, the information had spread throughout Howe ISD's email system That started the major inquiries that led to the initial meeting

"Our first question (to Mission Gate Prison Ministry) was, 'what kind of supervision do you have and do you have any trouble at your other location?'" said Rob Hunt "The answers we got were 'we never have any trouble whatsoever and the supervision comes from a parolee who has gone through the program and serves as an on-site manager.'"

Through investigation, they found out that all that has to happen is that the Texas Parole Board has to bless the site. As long as the halfway house doesn't receive funds from the state, there is no oversight

Hunt and others formed the group called, Not in Grayson County, and put a board together which consisted of Hunt as president, Marilyn Hunt, vice president; Margaret Garrett, secretary; Cotreasurers Carolyn Harrell, Bruce Butterfield and J W Ham; Bruce Dawsey, media spokesperson; Traci Carlson, public relations liaison; David Harrell, legal liaison

Their next meeting took place on Dec 18, 2007 at the Howe Church of Christ where another 250-300 were in attendance Pastor Toby Soechting explained that the church was neither for nor against the proposed residence for parolees and expressed his love and cares for the community and urged prayer for parolees.

Dawsey, spoke as a resident and not as a police officer gave the facts of another Mission Gate Prison Ministry location housed in Cuba, Missouri