Watkinsville wonders about possible poker machines, passes hunting consignment and 3 hr. painting place
The Watkinsville City Council meeting Wednesday evening was brief but to the point: Paige Hudspeth received approval for her business license for her three-hour group painting class called Paint with Class, and it will possibly be located at 8 School Street if real estate negotiations are completed as expected. Hudspeth explained that she can teach a group to complete paintings within three hours to take home paintings after an outing. She plans to primarily market to women, but will of course accept men. She says she has a knack for teaching people how to finish their works to take home with them.
Another amended business license will aim to accept consignment of hunting gear from primarily men, but will accept deer stands from women such as City Council member Samantha Purcell. The people who have been giving loans at Oconee Lending Group have decided to also have ATVs and golf carts in the parking lot shared with Sunshine Cycles during the day, but promised to put them away at night.
The owner Cliff Adams admitted the possibility of accepting all kinds of hunting equipment and even guns in the future, but realized there are many hurdles to having them on consignment. The business at 52 N. Main Street may be expanding and fencing in the back as well.
Chris Higginbotham received a building permit for his breakfast nook and porch at 1101 Jacob Drive.
The big drama for the evening came at the end of the evening during an initial prelimnary hearing when J & B Food Mart owner JoJo John appeared before the council to defend his Shell Station from accusations of having video poker in violation of state law.
Mr. John presented his state license for redemption games after a woman screamed she won more than $5,000.00 in the back room of the store and several customers called Police Chief Lee O'Dillon.
Both the Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Robert Hegge spoke at the informal preliminary hearing as to what they witnessed at the Shell Station. Mr. John said he wants to keep the machines and his beer and wine license. The attorney for Mr. John requested a formal hearing which will take place at the next meeting.
Mayor Joe Walter also said that three trees will be cut down Tuesday on Main Street with the help of the GDOT between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.
The Mayor received approval from the council to write a letter of intent to accept ownership of Harden Hill Road from the county after considerable work on the foundation and culverts by the Oconee County government is approved by city engineers. There remains the possibility of a future SPLOST having sidewalks on the side of the street frequented by many pedestrians and bicyclists as well as vehicles.
Walter also met with the Bishop family and did not make much progress on the property for consideration for expansion of Harris Shoals Park. The Mayor and Council members will meet with the family to walk the property at an unspecified future date.
The council also discussed the revisions in the sign ordinance and also removed the conditional use permit for 68 Whitehall Road.
Council members Brian Brodrick and Toby Smith will lead a discussion of the SPLOST projects 6:00 pm Wednesday, October 6th at the Watkinsville Community Center.
The council also approved the Ethics Commission with Connie Massey, George Rodrigues and chair Lee Morgan.
Hegge selected the house of Ana DeGarcia of 1080 Jeremy Drive of Morgan Manor Estates for Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award, presented by Purcell.
Purcell, Smith and Mike Link had no opposition during qualifying for the recent municipal elections, thus saving the city the expense of having a contested election.
Mike Greenlee missed the meeting and the chance to give his power point presentation of the Gateway Grant update. Council member Brodrick showed Walter an additional application for future gateway grants.
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| Paige Hudspeth shows one of her paintings to the Council |
Another amended business license will aim to accept consignment of hunting gear from primarily men, but will accept deer stands from women such as City Council member Samantha Purcell. The people who have been giving loans at Oconee Lending Group have decided to also have ATVs and golf carts in the parking lot shared with Sunshine Cycles during the day, but promised to put them away at night.
The owner Cliff Adams admitted the possibility of accepting all kinds of hunting equipment and even guns in the future, but realized there are many hurdles to having them on consignment. The business at 52 N. Main Street may be expanding and fencing in the back as well.
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| Toby Smith |
Chris Higginbotham received a building permit for his breakfast nook and porch at 1101 Jacob Drive.
The big drama for the evening came at the end of the evening during an initial prelimnary hearing when J & B Food Mart owner JoJo John appeared before the council to defend his Shell Station from accusations of having video poker in violation of state law.
 |
| JoJo John presents his paperwork to city attorney Joe Reitman |
Mr. John presented his state license for redemption games after a woman screamed she won more than $5,000.00 in the back room of the store and several customers called Police Chief Lee O'Dillon.
Both the Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Robert Hegge spoke at the informal preliminary hearing as to what they witnessed at the Shell Station. Mr. John said he wants to keep the machines and his beer and wine license. The attorney for Mr. John requested a formal hearing which will take place at the next meeting.
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| the paperwork for the machine |
Mayor Joe Walter also said that three trees will be cut down Tuesday on Main Street with the help of the GDOT between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.
The Mayor received approval from the council to write a letter of intent to accept ownership of Harden Hill Road from the county after considerable work on the foundation and culverts by the Oconee County government is approved by city engineers. There remains the possibility of a future SPLOST having sidewalks on the side of the street frequented by many pedestrians and bicyclists as well as vehicles.
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| Mayor Joe Walter listens to Mike Link as Julie Sanders takes notes |
Walter also met with the Bishop family and did not make much progress on the property for consideration for expansion of Harris Shoals Park. The Mayor and Council members will meet with the family to walk the property at an unspecified future date.
The council also discussed the revisions in the sign ordinance and also removed the conditional use permit for 68 Whitehall Road.
Council members Brian Brodrick and Toby Smith will lead a discussion of the SPLOST projects 6:00 pm Wednesday, October 6th at the Watkinsville Community Center.
The council also approved the Ethics Commission with Connie Massey, George Rodrigues and chair Lee Morgan.
 |
| Samantha Purcell presents the award to Ana DeGarcia |
Hegge selected the house of Ana DeGarcia of 1080 Jeremy Drive of Morgan Manor Estates for Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award, presented by Purcell.
Purcell, Smith and Mike Link had no opposition during qualifying for the recent municipal elections, thus saving the city the expense of having a contested election.
Mike Greenlee missed the meeting and the chance to give his power point presentation of the Gateway Grant update. Council member Brodrick showed Walter an additional application for future gateway grants.
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