Will wonders never cease?
In the wake of Dr. Paul Broun's win over Jim Whitehead for Congress, suddenly something seismically changed in the political power structure around here. Within a period of less than a half an hour, I conversed politely with local Republican leaders Melvin Davis (Board of Commissioners chairman) and Jim Luke (Board of Commissioners and former Planning Commission member) and had State Representative Bob Smith shake hands with me and ask me about my soccer playing son in Publix. I was astonished, but they all know we vote as well, sometimes with our noses held, and do occasionally have to vote G.O.P. in dire circumstances.
Melvin made some feeble excuse for his vote on the Barnett Shoals rezone about a 30,000 square foot lots adjacent to the development as why he cast the vote to break the tie. Jim Luke, who voted against it, made it clear he is a property rights person "as long as it is reasonable" but also thumped his chest from the planning commission days about sidewalks. They were talking to the Blue Hat Society at Krimson's Kafe Saturday about water. I decided I had made my son suffer enough of his dad's political demons long enough and Lowell had been very well behaved, so we split before the water talks started bogging us down. Rumor has it that Luke may well indeed run against Davis in 2008 (or is it 2010?). My money and support would be on Chuck Horton, but we shall see.
Melvin thought, like me, that Watkinsville City Council member Brian Brodrick would run for Mayor of Watkinsville to replace Jim Luken (not to be confused with the BOC's Jim Luke). Brian assured me the other day he will not run for Mayor, but will run for re-election as city council member of Watkinsville. He is still young, so I would not totally write off Brian Brodrick as a possible political candidate sometime in the future. I believe Brian and his lovely wife are about to add another addition to their wonderful family, so I think Brodrick has a solid two decades of political future in his fold (as if I am so sort of prognosticating pundit). Brodrick told me that Jay Hanley has moved out of Watkinsville, and I honestly wish nothing but the best for Jay and his family. They are good people, his dad is a former city council member I greatly admire and I am sorry for all difficulties they may have to endure.
We talked a great deal about all the challenges remaining for the BOC with beer and wine, road widening, infrastructure and development. I would like to thank the member of the BOC and State House for being civil to us in the minority. It will be an interesting six months. I know of at least three popular Athens-based restaurant chains wanting to come out here who should all look inside the city limits of Watkinsville instead of outside the municipality as they are currently doing. I also know of two major players in the recreation arena fixing to come out here as well. It will be an interesting rest of 2007 to say the least.
Various Realtors I know are pissed off major league at the Athens Banner-Herald for writing about how the housing market has shriveled up and apparently died for those wanting to move in a place with no down payment. HomeBanc gave up the ghost Friday.
Merritt Melancon moved back to the Banner-Herald after having enough of Maridee and Miss Vinnie Williams at the Enterprise.
Melvin made some feeble excuse for his vote on the Barnett Shoals rezone about a 30,000 square foot lots adjacent to the development as why he cast the vote to break the tie. Jim Luke, who voted against it, made it clear he is a property rights person "as long as it is reasonable" but also thumped his chest from the planning commission days about sidewalks. They were talking to the Blue Hat Society at Krimson's Kafe Saturday about water. I decided I had made my son suffer enough of his dad's political demons long enough and Lowell had been very well behaved, so we split before the water talks started bogging us down. Rumor has it that Luke may well indeed run against Davis in 2008 (or is it 2010?). My money and support would be on Chuck Horton, but we shall see.
Melvin thought, like me, that Watkinsville City Council member Brian Brodrick would run for Mayor of Watkinsville to replace Jim Luken (not to be confused with the BOC's Jim Luke). Brian assured me the other day he will not run for Mayor, but will run for re-election as city council member of Watkinsville. He is still young, so I would not totally write off Brian Brodrick as a possible political candidate sometime in the future. I believe Brian and his lovely wife are about to add another addition to their wonderful family, so I think Brodrick has a solid two decades of political future in his fold (as if I am so sort of prognosticating pundit). Brodrick told me that Jay Hanley has moved out of Watkinsville, and I honestly wish nothing but the best for Jay and his family. They are good people, his dad is a former city council member I greatly admire and I am sorry for all difficulties they may have to endure.
We talked a great deal about all the challenges remaining for the BOC with beer and wine, road widening, infrastructure and development. I would like to thank the member of the BOC and State House for being civil to us in the minority. It will be an interesting six months. I know of at least three popular Athens-based restaurant chains wanting to come out here who should all look inside the city limits of Watkinsville instead of outside the municipality as they are currently doing. I also know of two major players in the recreation arena fixing to come out here as well. It will be an interesting rest of 2007 to say the least.
Various Realtors I know are pissed off major league at the Athens Banner-Herald for writing about how the housing market has shriveled up and apparently died for those wanting to move in a place with no down payment. HomeBanc gave up the ghost Friday.
Merritt Melancon moved back to the Banner-Herald after having enough of Maridee and Miss Vinnie Williams at the Enterprise.
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