The Fate of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission

 Mary Mellein has always been a champion of the underdog here in Oconee County, having run an unsuccessful campaign to get herself on the Board of Commissioners a few years ago. This time it is the continued clean up of our wonderful county she is trying to maintain, and Chairman G. Melvin Davis and some of the current Board of Commissioners do not seem to share the same esteem for the aesthetic of keeping Oconee County free of litter, among other things.  The following is a letter from her in an attempt to save the committee she chairs:

From: Mary MELLEIN <mrmellein@bellsouth.net>
Subject: The Fate of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission


Dear Neighbors and Friends,

 

In follow up to my earlier e-mail concerning the fate of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful (KOCB) Commission at the hands of the Board of Commissioners (BOC), the decision of the BOC did not go favorably for the KOCB commission.  To better explain the position of the KOCBC volunteer members I am sending you the following, which is a letter to the editor of the Oconee Enterprise and should appear in its July 3rd  issue.  If you value any of the KOCB commission's programs please speak up in support of your Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission by calling or e-mailing the part time BOC members. You can find their contact information on the county's Webb page (www.oconeecounty.com).

Mary Mellein

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, is this the end?

 

I am greatly disheartened over the BOC's decision to phase out the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission's executive director's position and farm our his duties to in house staff of the Public Works Department.  The idea that staff with full time jobs and no knowledge of the Keep America Beautiful Organization can do the job of the director is just wrong. To be a Keep America Beautiful affiliate you must have a dedicated paid executive director.  This requirement is to assure that the organization is run in a professional manner.  Phasing out KOCBC well not create a savings for the tax payers.  Through grants, and community service the KOCBC brings in more money to the county than what is spent on the executive director's salary.  Last year the executive director acquired $35,000 in grants, which funded programs like scrap tire amnesty, and the sale of compost bins at cost.  The sale of these bins put $23,500 into the county's general fund.  The KOCBC's 12 volunteers last year provided 2272 hours of volunteer work providing programs such as: Christmas Tree recycling, free tree give-aways, electronics recycling, document shredding, teacher reuse store, Adopt A Mile, old phone book recycling, river clean ups, car litterbag distribution.  In addition we provided hours of education to school children and the public on recycling, water conservation, and litter prevention. What is the value to the county of thousands of volunteer service hours? Every program provided by the KOCBC results in cost savings to the citizens and helps to sustain the beauty and health of the county. 

 

In 2006 our Commission was named the Premier Affiliate Organization in the state by Keep Georgia Beautiful.  We were also recognized as second in the nation by Keep America Beautiful. Our director, John McNally, was also named the State Keep Georgia Beautiful Affiliate Executive Director of the Year.  Other counties will wonder why Oconee County does not appreciate nor support their commission.

 

Chairman Davis intended to fully fund KOCBC and he requested the part time commissioners reconsider their decision to cut the executive director.  Will their decisions result in savings to you and me the tax payers?  No, Oconee County citizens loose. 

Mary Mellein – chairperson KOCBC


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jeff Dantzler's arrests may be the best thing that ever happened to him

THis has next to nothing to do with Oconee County with the possible exception of the location of his former office, but a former colleague of mine on the radio got popped today for four counts. Any one who has listened to 960 the Ref AM sports talk radio or heard the UGA Lady Dawgs or men's baseball team has surely heard the encyclopedic knowledge of one Jeff Dantzler. Jeff and I are pretty much diametrically opposed poltically, but today he was arrested on four counts including DUI. I hope he gets the help he needs following his incarceration. I work for a lawyer who could help him out if he does not having someone already representing him. This man is a great broadcaster and I hope this arrest serves as a wake-up call for him and his rock and roll lifestyle. I live a far from perfect life myself but long ago and far away I learned how and when not to drink. Now we will be without he dulcet tones on Lady Bulldog broadcasts as well as on Georgia baseball games and also on the after...
Read more

A deep wound waiting to be healed - restoring order and dignity in the city cemetery

Image
The Watkinsville City Cemetery is an oasis amidst the houses on the east side of the municipality, near the neighborhood once called Sidney. There is a large section of the cemetery that remains a mystery, but perhaps we can work together to dignify the eternal resting spot somewhat better than the current neglected and forgotten (not to mention unmarked) graves of 70 people, more than likely of African-American descent. They deserve to be honored as well. An effort has been undertaken to repair the graves with fill dirt to stop the continued erosion amongst the graves. The most recent grave and bench belong to Larry Sheats,  and as any one who played basketball at Herman C. Michael Park or knew him otherwise  can attest, he was among the best people this county has ever seen. Larry was always ready to help. Now it is our turn to help. Do it for someone you knew there, maybe the Hardens, or the Downs, or any number of other people, but allow me to reminisce about how L...
Read more

I strongly disagree with the impending demolishing of the iconic Watkinsville Water Tower

Image
I know the Watkinsville Water Tower near where the "Big Spring" of what was one called Big Springs, Georgia serves no functional purpose anymore. I know it is a hazard. I know it is rusty and old and past its usefulness for the most part. I see a purpose beyond the aesthetic and instead as a possible financial benefit.  I know there is a way to keep it and make money for our municipality. I wonder who is doing the seemingly shoddy job of removing it (or at least preparing to raze it) and who stands to make money off that?  The dismantling of the Watkinsville Water Tower has already caused one gas leak and I can only imagine what problems await the demolition of the dinosaur.  If it is only because a group of kids have been crawling up it, then build a fence around it. I would think the City of Watkinsville would benefit and making monthly lease fees if they would instead do what about 90% of these abandoned water towers do and that is become a cellular telephone tow...
Read more