howeenterprise.com
Monday, September 5, 2016
Page #3
Retirement party held for Sheriff Gary
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Sheriff Gary visits with Howe City Administrator Joe Shephard at his retirement reception. A "Who's Who" of Grayson County showed up at the west courtroom of the old Grayson County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon to pay homage to the 20-year veteran Grayson County Sheriff Keith Gary. The reception was held to honor the man who has served in that capacity since 1996 as well as United States Marshall prior to that. Several individuals stood up and gave speeches about Sheriff Gary, but none were more impactful as was the one from his son, the Honorable Judge Brian Gary.
Deputy Marshall in the Eastern District of Texas." Judge Gary began to tell the audience that it was his father who hired Williams. Not because he was black, but because he was qualified for the job and his father decided to give him an opportunity.
"That sticks with me because it tells me about his ability to treat people fairly. He won an award for hiring women and minorities. This man doesn't need an award for that because he's done it his entire "This story kept going through my career. He wasn't hiring women mind." said Judge Gary. "The story and minorities because some goes - dad was going to a night government program told him to do class one night (in the 1960s at it. He was doing it because that's Louisiana Tech) and what does he the way he rolls. He was a see? He observed a few white guys conservative person who was were refusing to let a young black willing to take those types of risks man to go to school. He told me back then." that never again would he allow something like that go on in his Judge Gary then finished the story presence. I also remember that dad by explaining that Williams became Marshall when I was about eventually fell in trouble and his five years old. One of the fondest father had to let him go. memories I have is getting to know dad and some of his deputies. But "So the lesson I took from that is the one I remember most was Andy currently what I do everyday now." Williams, a big ol' black guy said Judge Gary. "Sometimes you - huge. Andy Williams was the first just have to make tough decisions black man to ever be hired as a and you've got to do it anyway continued on page 5
Park
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Recently the city has contracted the services of grant writer Terri Wilson and the city has identified the 45 acres as an opportunity to create a city-owned park with ideas of walking trails, football field that could double as soccer field, bleachers, scoreboard, pavilion with a concession area and eventually a fishing pond. The city will be submitting for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Small Community Grant that is due on October 1. It is a $75,000 grant that requires matching funds. The matching funds can come from inkind donations such as labor and materials. In example, one Howe citizen has expressed interest in building a pavilion on the property. The cost of that structure would go towards the $75,000 matching portion of the grant.
The City of Howe will hold a public hearing on September 20 at 6 p.m. at 700 W. Haning Street regarding the park. The grant is available in multiple phases and once the first phase is complete, they will be pushing towards phase two which also can be used with matching funds of donated materials and labor. The name of the park is planned to be the Casey and Dot Jones Memorial Park. City officials will be seeking out those who were interested in donating dirt work back in 2005. For those interested in donating labor and materials, contact Monte Walker at the Howe Development Alliance at 903-532-6080.
