Oconee County, GA Politics

It was wonderful and heart-warming seeing 20 some odd people turn out to Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville for the semi-annual clean-up of the jewel of the county seat. All the members of the city council were there, bouncy Brian Brodrick, fireman Mike Link, teacher Samantha Purcell, former police officer Joe Walter and Mayor and ex-Marine Jim Luken were all sweating to the trash removal. Johnny Lay was removing brush and big limbs with Brodrick from the area near the playground. Other areas were under scrutiny for cigarette butts and what not. Former city council candidate Kathleen McQuiston arrived as I had to go to off to pick up my son for his soccer game. I am sorry I had only 45 minutes or so to offer. Mr. McGrath ~ the man who biked in my yard to get an Obama sticker ~ was there in a V-103 shirt. Board of Education Post 3 candidate Ashley Hood helped out in the flower bed with Sam and some others. The Mayor was in the creek and needed hip waders instead of the calf high galo

I vomited in my own mouth when I heard NewsTalk 1340 WGAU AM's Tim Bryant being manipulated by State Senator and Congressional wannabe Barry Fleming today on his Fleming's many arrows and barbs, but it set the tone for the nasty words rising faster than the gas prices. Fleming did blast Broun about not wanting to save the Ag Research Center in Athens. Nice try Barry. The J. Phil Campbell Jr center is only in Watkinsville, not Athens, and if you think there is a big stink between folks from Augusta and Athens in the Whitehead meltdown last year, wait to you hear some folks from Oconee and Clarke going at it. Broun won't go to bat to try and get some congressional pork to save the agriculture facility. That pretty much decides it that I cannot vote for Broun ever again. If you are going to play on the team, you need to know the rules The gist of Fleming's phlegm this time was that Broun wants to do bong hits with your kids and sell porn pictures of them as well. Of cour

  I wanted to bring your attention to a couple of entries on Lee Becker's blog, which can be found here: http://www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/   First relates to the recent vote on beer & wine.  If you weren't able to attend and witness the BOC vote on this issue, read the brief narrative provided by Lee.  You can also watch a video of the vote .  Lee provides two links for viewing the video.   Second, Lee has a posting entitled "Oconee Primary Could Air Governance Issues: Can the Board Make the Chairman Learn to Share?"  Here he outlines some of the recent issues surrounding the position of Chairman, in particular the level of power and control that currently resides with that position.  Lee also provides some historical details on the position.   Thanks, Tony        

please attend Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting   Date:   Thursday May 1, 2008 Time:   7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Repeats:   This event repeats every month on the first Thursday. Next reminder:   The next reminder for this event will be sent in 4 days, 2 minutes. Location:   Oconee County Courthouse Phone:   706-354-8861 or 770-725-5397 Notes:   Conversation

Also love to help clean up Harris Shoals Park. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Dear Dan:     The City will sponsor and conduct a clean up and streamwalk in Harris Shoals Park on Saturday, April 26.   We will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude no later than 11:30 am.       The clean up will involve removing litter from Harris Shoals Park to include the trails, the children's play area, the flower beds, baseball diamond and Calls Creek.        The flowerbeds will be cleaned and mulch added.   We will remove driftwood and litter from Calls Creek.       All trash will be collected in trash bags provided at the park.   Mulch is available at the park (anyone desiring to take mulch home, bring your truck and load as much as you want).       Driftwood, branches, limbs, etc will be piled in a designated area and mulched by the Street Department the following Monday.          Bring gloves and any favorite tools.   Select where you desire to help in the

"A Home of Our Own"   Jeannette Rankin Foundation  1 Huntington Rd. Suite 701 Athens, Georgia, 30606 706-208-1211 Click here for a map of JRF's new home.

. Wanted to remind everyone that my husband and I are holding a "Sustainability Showcase" at our place this Sunday afternoon from 3-5 to have experts on hand to talk about our solar panels, metal roof, cistern, and permaculture garden. The event is part of the Oconee Democrats' Fourth Sunday series that takes up issues of importance to our area -- and the world. The paper today incorrectly characterized the event as a home tour (yikes!), but in fact, it's all outside, so I hope the weather is good. We'll have informal stations set up around the yard to talk about the things mentioned above as well as about rain barrels (proper siting, overflow controls and mosquito prevention strategies), solar cooking (fun and easy!), native plants, and privet eradication. We have a new gizmo for pulling privet and Russian olive called a weed wrench that's actually rather fun to use! You might find it amusing to note tha

At times I have been very critical and at times I have been very kind to the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Oconee County, but at the very least I would be remiss if I were not to give the readers of this 'blog the opportunity to make up their own mind and eat some pork products at the same time: COME TO A BARBEQUE! MAY 2, 2008 HARRIS SHOALS PARK WATKINSVILLE 11:30AM – 1:30 PM IN APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP OF VOTERS IN OCONEE COUNTY DURING HIS TERMS MELVIN INVITES YOU TO ENJOY A BBQ LUNCH WITH HIM BBQ WILL BE PREPARED BY TOM LITTLE INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS INCLEMENT WEATHER MOVES EVENT TO THE WATKINSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER ON VFW DRIVE

Dear Daniel, Democrats believe that it's everyone's job to protect and steward our natural resources.  Today, on Earth Day, we wanted to share some tips with you on how you can help leave a cleaner planet for our children and grandchildren, with cleaner water to drink and safer air to breathe. Check out the Energy Star program to research products that offer energy-efficient alternatives for your home or business, like dishwashers and washing machines that save water, kitchen appliances that use less energy, and even electronics that save you money on your power bill. Cut pollution by taking fewer trips in your car.  You can combine errands, take public transportation, or even walk or bike.  And with gas prices averaging $3.50 a gallon in Georgia, you'll save a few bucks too. How many Democrats does it take to change a light bulb?  Just one, to commit to helping the environment by switching to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL).  Did you know that if every hous

Franking is the process where Congress people can get to send letters back to their district without a stamp and instead a signature. 10th district Congressman Dr. Paul Broun has been making the most out of his franking abilities to bombard everyone in the 10th district with thinly-veiled campaign literature. Blake Aued writes a good news story about it here and blogs about it here. As usual, Blake balances that fine line between being snarky and smart.

Vernon Jones won't be there, but it might well be worth your attendance checking out the U.S. Senate candidates for the Democratic nomination. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.    ATHENS, GA.- The Young Democrats of The University of Georgia and  Athens-Clarke County will host a forum for the Democratic candidates  for U.S. Senate on Wednesday, April 23 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the North  Psychology-Journalism Auditorium on the UGA campus . Confirmed  attendees are Josh Lanier, Rand Knight, and Dale Cardwell, and  tentative is Jim Martin.    Josh Lanier is a retired Vietnam War veteran from Statesboro, Georgia.  He has worked in business for several years, and at one time served on  the staff of U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge (D-Ga). Rand Knight is an  ecologist and businessman from Atlanta. Dale Cardwell is a former  investigative reporter for WSB-TV in Atlanta, and currently resides in  DeKalb County. Jim Martin is a former state representative and  Commissioner of Human

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: concerts on the lawn Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:22:42 -0400 From: David Shearon <ashfordmanor@charter.net> To: David Shearon <ashfordmanor@charter.net> Postcard for the concerts on the lawn 2008 series   Thank you, Laurie Castro Ashford Manor B&B (706)-769-2633 ph   (706)-769-5427 fax www.ambedandbreakfast.com

So from now on, every bad fiscal decision which occurs in Oconee County will be a direct result of the demon alcohol, at least if you are to believe some of those opposed to beer and wine sales in restaurants. T he Athens Banner-Herald newspaper's reporter Adam Thompson wrote a pretty even handed article here about the effects of beer and wine on the tax base of Oconee County, both real and imagined. Let me know what you think,please. p.s. Who is going to be the next Mayor of Bishop now that Johnny Pritchett is going to run for the Board of Commissioners?

Anyone else note a hint of irony in making people who chose to come to the caucus to display a picture ID after we fought so hard against Republican lawmakers enforcing photo ID to vote? I understand why we had to do it. Georgia State chair Jane Kidd and Terry Holley did a fine job in a tough thankless position. I saw a few Oconee Democrats, including Herb and Myrna West and Pat Priest. Mike Hamby collected ballots. Obama supporters met in the lunch room; Clinton supporters including Becky Vaughn voted in the auditorium. The credentials line took forever to certify all the caucus attendees. I did not have my voter registration card and was not given the yellow credentials card either, but Terry Holley hooked me up and I voted before the speeches were commenced. Gwen O'Looney actively campaigned to the point of bringing some of her tenants to the caucus, and it paid off as she won along with Athens attorney and forthcoming local Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ken Dious. Dr. David Jarr