The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Oconee County information about Board of Commissioners corruption



 
Please pass this message on to anyone who is interested in open government in Oconee County.
 
What Is Happening?
    The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on 1-29-08 will get an update on bids for design and support for the upgrade of the Rocky Branch sewage plant, which will discharge treated sewage water into Barber Creek.
 
What Do We Know About the Bids?
    Only the names (no addresses) of the nine bidders.
 
Why Do We Know So Little?
    The County closed the bidding process, saying citizen knowledge about the bids will "taint" the bidding process.
 
That Is Silly. Why Is the County Keeping Us in the Dark?
    Because an examination of the bids in the first round showed the County was trying to use a cheaper and less efficient treatment technology.
 
What Kind of Technology Is Being Used Now?
    We don't know, because the County will not let us see the bids.
 
Who Is Going to Pay for This Upgrade?
    Ultimately, all citizens are responsible for the $8-10 million cost of the project.
 
How Can I Learn More?
 
What Can I Do?
    Attend the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. on the 29th in the Courthouse, and/or write to the BOC members and tell them to open up the process. Here are their email addresses:
 
Melvin Davis, (Chairman), mdavis@oconee.ga.us
Margaret Hale, margarethale@oconee.ga.us and marghale@aol.com
Chuck Horton, chorton@oconee.ga.us
Jim Luke, jluke@oconee.ga.us
Don Norris, dnorris@oconee.ga.us
 
 
Lee Becker
 
 

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