Oconee County, GA Politics

Earlier today in the spirit of fair play I posted a protest email from candidate Ryan House in what purported to be an email exchange from House to Wendall Dawson. Seems House doctored up the email exchange a bit before forwarding it my direction. I concur that this does not bode well for Mr. House attempting to gain any legitimacy to his candidacy for Board of Education. I was not the biggest fan of Mack Guest when he built his LAD trucking lines and warehouse three blocks from my house in Watkinsville. But he has conducted his business well and been a careful, cautious leader to our school board. This latest example of House's lack of leadership skills shows why we need to keep him off the Board of Education and re-elect Guest instead of voting for a dishonest House. Dan,   You need to verify your postings…..  Ryan House sent you an edited email from me.   His conduct in this matter reinforces my feeling that he is too inexperienced and unseasoned to...

My name is Chuck Toney, and I am running for Board of Education Post 4.You are receiving this e-mail because mutual friends who are supporting my candidacy have shared their lists with me.   I am writing to ask for your vote (if you haven't already voted).   My wife, Laura, and I moved here in the summer of 2001.   Laura teaches at Malcom Bridge Elementary; Isaac, our oldest son, will start at North Oconee High School this fall, and John and Will will be in seventh grade at Malcom Bridge Middle.   My parents taught me that I had an obligation to serve the community, and I have done that in many ways since we moved here.   I just completed a term as president of the Oconee Rotary Club and am on the board of the Chamber of Commerce.   I have volunteered with Relay for Life and have coached youth sports at least twice a year.   More to the point, I have been deeply involved in the schools.   I served on the MBES School Council and I am t...

The following is a conversation of emails between Board of Education candidate Ryan House and former Board of Commissioners chair Wendell Dawson. I am not one to besmirched Mr. House with the development tag, Mr. House asked for me to print this, so hey, here it is, make up your own mind: Dan, I have included the email that Wendall Dawson and myself exchanged today. I ask that you please remove the content that you have included from the AVOC INC website on your website. The facts are not accurately represented and are not true in the slighest way regarding the statement that "AVOC has researched the candidacies and lists persons AVOC believes to be the least influenced by the Development Community and current "Power Clique"." I am shocked to know that anyone would tie me to the development community. As you will see in my orignial email, I have not accepted or received any campaign contributions from any development community. As the campaign contribu...

Vote for Sarah Bell for chair of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Citizens Attached is a message from Sarah Bell.  Be sure to vote Tuesday. Charles Baugh

I did not know Oconee County Democratic party member Pat Priest's father was killed in Vietnam. She is a very active person involved in many local causes and media. Her column is well worth your reading.

Oconee County Board of Education candidate Ashley Hood had her home mailbox in Bishop vandalized in an apparently not random act in her Bishop residence Thursday evening. No other homes or mailboxes in the surrounding areas suffered any similar acts, giving rise to the specter of an intimidation crime at the 1041 Ridgefield Road house. If anyone knows anything about this petty vandalism, please feel free to leave a comment here or call the Oconee County Sheriff's Department. These kind of acts are deplorable and reprehensible and should not be condoned or at the least bit tolerated in a community as wonderful as ours here in Oconee County, Georgia. Voters in Tuesday's primary should be made well aware of this kind of ridiculous behavior and vote accordingly, sending a very loud and clear message to those that seek to intimidate candidates that their petty vandalism will not only never work, but will often times have the exact opposite effect.

Dr. Tony Glenn gives his view on the primary election. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Afternoon all, When Courtney Gale, Michael Reuter, and I decided to form Citizens for South Oconee County, we did so keeping in mind that the group should be a broad-based organization advocating principles of smart growth in the county as a whole, while protecting the distinguishing rural qualities that the southern portion of the county exemplifies.  We feel that CSOC has had a significant positive impact on the county, and we are proud of what we have accomplished.  We have participated or voiced our thoughts on a range of rezone issues, ordinances, and infrastructure projects.  We have cosponsored three political forums.  Most recently, we had a role in persuading the county to begin webcasting its BOC meetings.   In the beginning we had two tacit goals for CSOC.  First, we did not want to be considered a NIMBY organization, and as n...

Might be a chance for a few intrepid candidates to pick up some votes if they are not allergic to Democrats. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Blue Hats of Oconee Co. Democrats   Date:   Saturday July 12, 2008 Time:   1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Repeats:   This event repeats every month on the second Saturday until Saturday January 31, 2009. Location:   Krimson Kafe, Watkinsville, GA Street:   ...

Local redheaded journalist for the Athens Banner-Herald Adam Thompson writes succinct summaries of all the local races of interest, including the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education . One can never be too informed about politics.

7-10-08 Oconee Voters have choices in July 15 Primary – Important Election 7-10-08 Oconee Voters have choices in July 15 Primary – Important Election AVOC has researched the candidacies and lists persons AVOC believes to be the least influenced by the Development Community and current “Power Clique”………………………. ………..SEE OTHER ONLINE SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION LISTED BELOW . AVOC . July 8, 2008 . Oconee Voters have choices in July 15 Primary – Important Election . By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc . Another Voice Oconee County has attempted to bring facts and issues to the public about our county. Traditional media will not deal with many issues for various reasons, i.e., advertisers, favorite candidates, prejudice, etc. The Internet allows citizens more information and a better perspective. Some active BLOGS are listed below. . A big concern of AVOC is the influence on our county government and school policies (location of sc...