A standing room only crowd filled the Greenwood Community Building for a meeting regarding the potential establishment of a transitional house or halfway house by Martha Moore McCormick in the community. The house located at 2606 Roseville St. would house up to 6 convicted female felons upon their release from prison. The meeting was conducted by Representative John Paul Wells, also present was Senator Ruth Whitaker and two representatives from the Department of Community Corrections along with other elected officials. The obvious majority were against the establishment of the transitional house mainly due to safety concerns. It was obvious that the area resident's did not want the transitional house in the community, but felt that such a house would be better located in a metropolitan area with a larger police force. The majority that spoke at the meeting were concerned about the safety of their children if felons were allowed in the area. The representatives of the Department of Community Corrections told the group that if all requirements are met by an applicant that their agency would grant a license request. They went on to say that the current law does not allow for opposition from the community as a factor in granting a liscense. The representatives did say that in order to be licensed through the DCC that the applicant would have to have a supervisor on sight 24 hours per day. At this point, Martha Moore has not submitted a license request. One other note of interest from the Representatives of DCC was that anyone sent to such a facility licensed by their agency would be required to have a background FREE of any violent or sex related crimes.

Representative John Paul Wells told the crowd at the end of the meeting that he was against the transitional house being located in the Altus Community and was working with County Judge Joe Powell and others to see what could be done to prevent the home from becoming a reality.

KDYN also talked with Moore late Monday afternoon and obtained a letter from here that will also be appearing in the Spectator this week. A copy of that letter is available at our web site.....www.kdyn.com, on the home page