Oconee County, GA Politics

--- On Thu, 9/3/09, Poythress for Governor <David@poythressforgovernor.com> wrote: From: Poythress for Governor <David@poythressforgovernor.com> Subject: Culture of Corruption Continues in Georgia Politics To: danjmatt@bellsouth.net Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 4:13 PM CULTURE OF CORRUPTION CONTINUES IN GEORGIA POLITICS Back in May, I criticized Congressman Nathan Deal for not joining me in standing up to the irresponsible secession threats that his fellow Republican candidates for Governor were supporting.  He never responded and now we know why.  It appears that Congressman Deal and his congressional staff were focused on protecting his no-bid, state contract. A recent investigation by the Atlanta Journal Constitution revealed that Deal's personal business venture, Recovery Services Inc., has benefited from a lucrative agreement with the state where his Gainesville company is one of five locations (and the closest to Atlanta) f...

I can be there but I hope you make it. This invitation came from the Congressman Paul Broun's office. I implore you to investigate his stance and ask him questions about why he chooses to continue to make insurance companies richer. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me From: paul.broun@houseenews.net Subject: Health Care Town Hall To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 08:14:37 -0700 If you are having trouble viewing this message, please click here . September 05, 2009 Unsubscribe Update My Profile Website | About Paul | Services | 10th District | News | Issues | Contact Congressman Paul Broun speaks to constituents at a recent community gathering. Join him this Tuesday for an open forum to as...

A great letter from the Morgan County crimson ninja, Patsy Harris, chair of the Democratic party down in the city of Madison. Patsy Harris: Compromise may be impossible | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Watkinsville has been going through the same economic shifts as the rest of the county, but a seemingly high number of local businesses have gone through transfers of ownership or location lately. Full Moon Studios shifted ownership with Mark Cooper Smith letting Charlie Garrett take over the reigns at the location of the Oconee School of Rock and any number of local music recordings ranging from the new program on Rock 100.7 called Athens Outside In to projects by the Indigo Girls, Vic Chesnutt, Five Eight, Magnapop and many others. Sweet ReTreat just shifted owners as well after the current ownership had offered the business for sale for some time. The location was very busy there this first Friday as Miss Vickie introduced me to the new owner, and she seemed like a very gracious host as well. They had free cupcakes as part of the First Friday celebration downtown. Big props to the First Christian Church for having karaoke and miniature golf to go with their train around the ne...

Say it ain't so, Joe (although I heard this from another on campus source about an hour ago). Internet sources reporting Cox battling flu | Breaking News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Slowly but surely a new Courthouse becomes an increasing certainty in Watkinsville, no matter what it is called. I understand the cramped quarters in the current Courthouse but would still support an attempt at sharing/renting/leasing/owning/buying/condemning some of the vacant business and residential properties nearby the current Courthouse rather than mortgage our future for an entirely new Courthouse location. Thanks as always to Lee Becker for his excellent reporting. The gist of his reporting is that next week the meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee will be overshadowed by the two higher profile meetings of Congressman Paul Broun's townhall Tuesday morning at the Civic Center and the Oconee County Board of Education's personnel matter concerning the immensely unpopular termination of Principal John Osborne, From: Lee Becker ; lbbecker@mindspring.com > Date: Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 11:06 PM Subject: Courthouse by Another Name To: lbbecker@mindsprin...

I believe sidewalks are included in the upcoming plans for the extremely busy Mars Hill Road thoroughfare, but I also now that plans change, especially with governmental entities. Oconee hires firm to design a wider Mars Hill Road | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Another hilarious letter to the editor from local artist and magazine writer Greg Benson. Perhaps it is time for Dr. Broun to take a chill pill at the very least. Greg Benson: Time for prescription, Dr. Broun | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Well done Watkinsville Chief of Police O'Dillon, Sheriff Scott Berry and Cpl. Shane Partain. Oconee deputy spoils getaway | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

This is one of the more level headed responses I have seen to the situation with John Osbore. If members of the Board of Education are at the demonstrations, do the students and parents stand a glimmer of hope for at least a suspension as opposed to a termination? Richard McSpadden: Compromise needed in Oconee | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

The always entertaining North High Shoals city council electoral process became all the more interesting with longtime incumbent Violet Dawe drawing opposition for her many term held post. New father Joseph Latner of Plantation Road will be running against Violet for her seat. There is also an open seat, vacated by Fred Johnson, where newcomers Sarah Donegan will be running against Stephen Arnold. Post 3 (currently vacant) will feature David Lawrence vs Scott Wilson Post 4 (currently held by Fred Johnson) will feature Stephen Arnold vs Sarah Donegan and Post 5 will have the incumbent Violet Dawe vs Joseph Latner (borrowed from Steve Holzman's blog ) "I think it is great that we have young people willing to run," said Dawe. "For the longest time we never had any candidates." She especially enjoyed her most recent term on the council, saying it was her favorite. "We got a lot done with the two other council members (Fred Johnson and Steve Holzm...

Should you want to see any of the declared Democratic candidates Subject: CCDC FW: Invite to statewide candidates rally! Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 7:10 AM Subject: Invite to statewide candidates rally! To: Morgan County Democrats morgancodems@yahoo.com Hi Georgia Democrats!!! We have a terrific event planned at Rock Eagle next month! (See the press release below.) It is a rally for statewide candidates, and so far ALL the serious, announced candidates have said YES! Do call me if you all would like to buy tickets. Patsy PRESS RELEASE: Aug 31, 2009             Of the 18 announced Democratic candidates for statewide office in the 2010 Georgia elections, 15, including all six gubernatorial candidates, have confirmed they will attend an event at Rock Eagle on September 19 to meet and greet Democratic voters.             The dinner, dubbed "Meet, Gree...

On NewsTalk 1340 WGAU AM this morning, Tim Bryant had on a couple of North Oconee High School parents giving their take on the Osborne fiasco. No great revelations except the public will not be allowed to speak in front of the Oconee County Board of Education until Sept. 21, a solid 10 days after the closed door personnel hearing Sept. 11 to decide Osborne's employment fate at North Oconee. Charles E. Squires: Reinstate NOHS principal | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Winterville, Watkinsville, Athens, we are all joined at the hip. James Garland: ABH 'petulant' on Broun meeting | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Someone just told me of 370 cases of flu like symptoms at the UGA Health Center yesterday when they were opening the new wing. Yikes! Wash hands and be careful

Once in a blue moon I will buy some Krispy Kreme donuts from the softball team or whatever at Butler's Crossing, but I do not want to read about someone hitting them in another horrible accident, so essentially I agree with the AB-H's institutional editorial on this one. Editorial: Oconee should try ban on roadway solicitation | Opinion | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Eagle Tavern Museum will be the beneficiary of the $5 donation asked for the hour long stroll around Watkinsville by Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman G. Melvin Davis. Chairman Davis to lead Watkinsville tour | Oconee | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

With the qualifying period now half over, no challengers have emerged (so far) for presumed Mayor Joe Walter, City Council member Brian Brodrick and newly appointed member (and Christian Lake subdivision resident) Henry Norman (who has yet to officially attend a meeting of the Watkinsville city council as a member but will do so in less than a fortnight Wednesday, September 14.) The special qualifying period for Walter's seat he gave up to become Mayor will be during the last week of September, according to City Clerk Julie Sanders. "Qualifying will be the end of September. An advertisement will be in the paper - probably next Thursday announcing qualifying," according to Julie.

This person and his wife were heckled by some neighbors of mine at the rally Saturday morning. He made the best sign and writes an eloquent letter to the editor in today's Athens Banner-Herald. J.P. Crisan: U.S. health care socialized now | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

The former Mayor and current City Council member of Bishop once again looked at the rally with Republican coated glasses, but Nedra ~ even though she has written letters critical of me when I used to cover her meetings in Bishop ~ is usually quite gracious and has given me vegetables out of her garden and use to invite me to the Town Suppers in Bishop. I do wish she had seen the rudeness displayed to me by somewhat trying to assault Barry Gordon Irwin. But of course that was on the other side of the small rally and well outside of her predetermined point of view. Nedra Johnson: Democrats rude at rally | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

I wish I could take off work Tuesday to go and give Congressman Broun my opinion about health care and his performance at the Watkinsville Civic Center. But most people in Athens can travel down Hog Mountain Road to go let our U.S. House of Representative member know our/their feelings about health care reform. I hope we can avoid the stunts and stick to the facts, but I know we won't by in large. Editorial: Watkinsville isn't Athens, Congressman | Opinion | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

I would be in favor of restricting and regulating who is allowed to go on the road, but would not be upset by a total ban of selling doughnuts and firemen asking for donations. Oconee may restrict roadway fundraising | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Great letter by an Oconee County Democrat and a very good UGA journalism professor as well. Jay Hamilton: UGA furloughs are pay cuts | Letters | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Sounds like another chance for people to butt heads, or at least let their opinions be heard. Let's hope the stunts and screaming are kept civil and at a minimum. I am more than willing to give Congressman Broun my opinion, but I will be working at the time to pay for my ridiculously expensive Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums. Broun to host health care forum in Oconee County | Breaking News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

help center | e-mail options | report spam danmatt has shared a video with you on YouTube: Interesting montage of support for ousted principal John Osborne of North Oconee High School john A video collage of the first home game without you. We missed you but felt your spirit throughout the evening. Enjoy! All you see here is because of your love for our children... thank you. © 2009 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZnp9yuNeEs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZnp9yuNeEs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Finbox%2F%3Fref%3Dmb&feature=player_embedded

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Interesting statistics about how more people attend UGA from Oconee than last century. UGA a draw in Oconee | Uganews | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Even though the qualifying period for municipal elections in Watkinsville does not start until tomorrow, the electoral gears are already grinding toward filling vacant slots. Now some of you may need a score card to keep up, but I will try to keep this as simple as possible. 1. City council member John Walsh, Jr. resigned at the end of the August meeting because he is moving outside of the city limits of Watkinsville. The remaining members of the council then appointed Henry Norman, who lives in the Christian Lake subdivision, to fill the end of his term (less than six months). 2. Norman announced that he will seek election to the slot he was appointed to in August in the November municipal election. 3. Mayor Jim Luken of Watkinsville announced he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as Mayor of Watkinsville. He will instead support the candidacy of city council member Joe Walter to the Mayoral slot. 4. Council member Brian Brodrick announced he will seek another term on the cit...

Good to know about the annual bash for dogs and their owners September 20 at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast in Watkinsville. Grace's Birthday set for Sept. 20 | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

I think Shirley White of Watkinsville needs to go back to school to learn grammar given the lack of subject-verb agreement on her sign. Athens Banner-Herald journalist Blake Aued does a fine job of showing how much the people who were in attendance at this rally have in common despite being diametrically opposed on philosophical grounds. Healthy debate? Vocal faceoff at Watkinsville rally | Slideshow | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis