Neighbors vote against spending $8,000 to help oust sex offender

2-20-2008 Texas:

PLANO, Texas (AP) - Suburban Dallas neighbors want a convicted sex offender off their block. But they voted against spending $8,000 in homeowners association funds to cover the closing costs of buyers interested in his home.

Members of the Carriage Hills Homeowners Association in Plano yesterday voted 97-30 against the board proposal aimed at literally paying to get rid of Kenneth James McQuade.

Instead, they're renewing calls for city officials to hasten the move of the 54-year-old sexual offender.

McQuade sexually assaulted three young boys more than 20 years ago, and his home sits near a youth center.

McQuade's home put him in violation of a city ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of places where children commonly gather.

Plano police spokesman Rick McDonald says officials are working to help McQuade get into compliance with the law. In McDonald's words, "You can only sell a house so fast, and he's doing it as fast as he can." ..more.. by KTRE-TV