Oconee County, GA Politics

I am hoping some intrepid reader of this blog might have miraculously taped the infamous appearance of Charlie Norwood at the Greene County Farm Bureau a week or so back where he ostensibly said "Some of the Republicans aren't worth taking out back behind the barn and being shot" and "All of the Democrats aren't worth being shot" over their views about immigration. If you heard him there, or taped it, call me ASAP at 706-769-1131. I am trying to get a website called congresspedia (like wikipedia only for members of congress) to put it in their file for all of humanity to see on the website. I need corroboration people!

I did not make this one, but here is the unpassed nor approved minutes of the Watkinsville City Council meeting: MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE September 13, 2006 PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh and Walter. VISITORS: See attached sheet. QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. Mayor Luken also asks those with non-emergency cell phones to turn them off or down. All speakers are asked to approach the lectern and address Council. WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD: Councilwoman Samantha Purcell announced The Thomas’ of Simonton Bridge Road as receiving the Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award for the month of September. The selection was made by The Big Easy Cafe. MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2006 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. JEFF HARGENS: Councilman Walter moved and Councilman Link second...

If anyone wishes to use this blog to announce their candidacy, by all means please do so. Here is Merritt's story on the council vacancy and special election moving across the street. Why they can't do it in the same place is beyond me. Council election planned Bishop By Merritt Melancon | juliana.melancon@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:32 AM on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 The city council of the tiny Oconee County town of Bishop has decided to fill its long-vacant fifth council seat after the town's attorney advised that it probably is the right thing to do. The City of Bishop will hold a special election to fill Post 1 of the Bishop City Council on Nov. 7 at the Bishop City Hall across from the Bishop Community Center on U.S. Highway 441. Candidates who wish to be on the ballot can pay a $5 qualifying fee and register at the Oconee County Board of Elections Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until noon Wednesday. The city cou...

Below I’m including some recent comments that Gary Noffke would like shared with the whole group. If you have a response you’d like to share with the group, send your comments to me. Otherwise provide feedback directly to Gary (garynoffke@bellsouth.net). His primary concern is with potential loopholes in the recently passed stormwater ordinance that may allow for MORE development in rural Oconee. Two sections of the stormwater ordinance that Gary references are: D. Stormwater Management in the Non-Urbanized Area Section 6 of this ordinance shall apply to areas not within the area of the County regulated under the NPDES Stormwater Phase II Permit in the following circumstances: any residential development containing lot sizes of three (3) acres or less and having five (5) or more lots, all non-residential development, any development with size, configuration, and/or density that would lend itself to be considered an urbanized area, or if the site is designated a hotspot for stormwa...

Greetings! We just wanted to let you know that we are hosting a fundraiser for Terry Holley on Wednesday, September 20, (tomorrow) from 6-8 p.m. at our house in Carlton. Terry is running for Congress against Republican incumbent Charlie Norwood, and this is a great opportunity to meet him and ask questions. Drinks and barbecue are being provided--please bring a potluck dish, and a friend. Thanks, Chip and Dena Chandler 706-797-3501

Evening everyone, Both rezone requests (west 295 acres and east 70 acres) were approved by the Planning Commission. The vote was 6 to 2 for both. The Planning Commission did some arm twisting on the Plum Creek developer and forced a change in the minimum square footage for the houses. The developer had in mind an “empty nest” market that would desire high quality but smaller homes (minimum of 1800 sq ft). However, since other recently approved developments in the area are targeting larger homes, the PC forced a change in the minimum to 2400 sq ft. Keep in mind that the Chair of the Planning Commission (Dan Arnold) is a partner in ALP Development, which recently got a rezone for a residential development on the adjacent property. I got the feeling that some members of the commission didn’t like the idea of the previously approved McMansions being under priced by a similar development next door that would have less expensive homes. The hope for conservation of this land is not d...

Becky Vaughn rescheduled her meet-and-greet with Cathy Cox at Girasoles She is having a party tonight - MONDAY EVENING - to send out invitations for it. Please adjust your calendars and join other Becky supporters on Wednesday, September 27 from 6-8 at Girasoles in Watkinsville. Please invite anyone who might be interested in a positive change for District 113! Also, if you are available on Monday (9/18/06) evening from 6:30-8:30, come by my house (1030 Meriweather Dr.) You can stuff yourself with pizza and wings while stuffing envelopes for the fundraiser. Let us know if you?re coming so that we're sure to have enough. Give us whatever time your have! Call for info or directions ? 706.540.9724

I apologize for sending this on such short notice. Two related rezone requests for adjacent tracts of land along US441 and the Apalachee River are on the agenda for tonight’s Planning Commission meeting. Plum Creek Timberlands (http://www.plumcreek.com) is a large timber company that claims to be the largest private landowner in the nation, and they are seeking two rezone requests, both from A-1 (agricultural) to AR-5 (agricultural-residential with minimum 5 acre lots). The western tract of land is 295 acres with frontage on the Apalachee. The eastern tract is 70 acres and no frontage on the river. The Oconee County Planning Department has recommended approval of both requests. It is worth noting that the county Fire Department has concerns due to the lack of water for fire protection. Keep in mind there is no infrastructure in this part of the county. Septic systems and private wells will be needed for each of the 66 proposed homes. The anticipated price for homes will be $35...

Democrats must get angry, motivated and organized in their advertising, GOTV and other efforts in order to win at all levels. If the convention in College Park proved anything yesterday, it is that the Georgia Democratic Party needs an influx of new leadership from the top on down and it saw the first glimpses of it yesterday. The only state level candidates I saw glad handing folks and firing up the choir were Tommy Irvin and Michael Thurmond, although everyone else showed up later. The Georgia party $$$$ need to flow to the candidates earlier. We need to point out what the Republicans and Sonny didn't do or did poorly and we need it on the airwaves six times daily yesterday. Call it negative advertising if you will, but the Democrats are not going to take back over this state without it. We need to accentuate our positive solutions in the final 14 seconds or last half of a 28 second ad. We need to sponsor talk radio shows in our communities to counter all the negative bullshit sp...

At two meetings of municipal councils last week, sprawl won and rural charm took it on the chin. Here are a couple of photos. Above is several shots of developer Jon Williams asking Bishop to annex 30 acres into the city limits, ( DON'T FORGET BISHOP TOWN SUPPER COMING UP MONDAY, OCT. 9th I think} and at the very top is North High Shoals town council learning about Bella Rosa subdivision encroaching on a working farm. Violet Dawe's husband Donald was purged from the Planning Commission after suing the city for the subdivision.