Oconee County, GA Politics

Very cool these dogs go to those in need even at the steep cost but good job all around raising the funds necessary. Rossiter: Given a new leash on life || OnlineAthens.com

Good karma returns to Select Trees for donating trees to many different groups in Oconee County. Business Briefs: Select Trees gets top business award || OnlineAthens.com

Watkinsville could well have a lot to learn from the industrialization of Cordele, a city I have always admired. Cordele could become "inland port" city, create thousands of jobs - Local & State - Macon.com

These publications listed and linked repeatedly below in a brazen commercial attempt on my part are the current selection for the Oconee County Democratic Committee's book club and it sounds like a perfect tome for the season Learning to link, and linking to learn, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:45:15 -0500 Subject: [oconee] A book well worth reading   Hello! If you've never joined us for the book group sponsored by the Oconee Democrats, this month would be a great place to start! We're reading . . . and some people are happily rereading . . . the wonderful A Sand County Almanac  by Aldo Leopold. Pick up a copy of this and read it aloud to your Valentine! Read it if you're depressed about what's going on in the world or in America. Read it if you'd like to know more about nature to explain to your child or grandchild. Read it if you're forgotten to look up at the sky to see the stars or clouds. Give a copy to p...

Begin forwarded message: From: Pat Priest < ppriest@charter.net > Date: February 7, 2010 9:32:47 AM EST To: Wayne Ford < wayne.ford@onlineathens.com >,   Rob Peecher < editor@theoconeeleader.com >, Oconee Enterprise < announcements@oconeeenterprise.com >,   News Leader < news.oconeeleader@gmail.com >, Kate McDaniel < katemail@bellsouth.net >,   Sarah Bell < docofenglish@gmail.com >, dan matthews < danjmatt@bellsouth.net > Subject: February book: a great one! Hello! Could you please help me get the word out about the book group book for February?  It's a lovely book people will treasure discovering -- or REreading, as many people do! Thanks! Pat Priest Member, Oconee Democrats ------------------------------------------------------ The community-wide book group sponsored by the Oconee Democrats is reading Aldo Leopold's classic "A Sand County Almanac" for its February selection.  The book is a collection of lovely e...

Friend -- An alarming new study shows that health care costs increased last year at the fastest rate in more than a half century. Health care spending rose to an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2009, or $8,047 per person -- and is now projected to nearly double by 2019. If we don't act, this growing burden will mean more lost jobs, more families pushed into bankruptcy, and more crushing debt for our nation. The conclusion is clear: This isn't a problem we can kick down the road for another decade -- or even another year. We need to pass health reform now. We're incredibly close. But too many in Washington are now saying that we should delay or give up on reform entirely. So we need to make it crystal clear that Americans understand the stakes for our economy and our lives, and that we want action. Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper right now? In just five minutes of your time, you can tell thousands of readers about this new report on spira...

AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE February 10, 2010 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK MINUTES  January 13, 2009 APPEARANCES                    1.  Jonathan Jones – business license – Jones Web Designs – 29A North Main Street, Suite 2       2.  Marilynn Butler – business license – Home Creations Etc., LLC – 2 South Main Street, Ste 110       3.  Heather & Jan Weisenborn – building permit – Remodel existing structure – 26 School Street ADMINISTRATION January 31, 2010 Reconciliation Report MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS 1.  Bird Sanctuary Ordinance 2.  Crosswalk repair update 3.  SPLOST RFQ finalists NEW BUSINESS

Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast is hosting the next meeting of the Oconee County Historical Society Monday at the stately grounds near Harden Hill and Main Street in lovely downtown Watkinsville.             We will be doing something different and I hope exciting for our next meeting.  Please note the new location and the evening's program.  We will also be discussing our search for a new location for meetings and the results of a meeting with the Parks and recreation department concerning the future of   Heritage   Park .  Peggy   The Oconee County Historical Society will hold its February Meeting at Ashford Manor on Monday, Feb. 15th at 7pm. Dave Shearon will give a talk on the Ashford family history.  Prospective members are welcome!

Sonny Perdue no longer trusts the people of Georgia to make decisions deciding our elected officials. When will the people of Georgia wake up and smell the coffee of continued cronyism ruining this state? Perdue proposes appointing instead of electing 4 state officials || OnlineAthens.com

Your morning jolt: 'The best people aren't always elected' | Political Insider Posted using ShareThis

Should you want to watch the best fourth grade basketball, please consider attending the Athens Academy High School games tonight ~ Friday ~ at the Spartan Center to see my son at the halftime of the boys game for a friendly exhibition between the green and white squads, then this also has the final two regular season games tomorrow ~ Saturday ~ at the Oconee County High School practice gymnasium. There are admission charges to both events. The following is an email from head coach Chris Pittard and should not be taken seriously or literally. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: This week Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 16:15:36 -0500 This week Hello all. Chronologically: Wednesday Night is our last scheduled practice.  If its possible, we might have a practice next week, but only if time and gym permits.  I will keep you posted. Friday Night, its GREEN VS WHITE the REMATCH!  We will be playing at halftime of the boys game at the Spartan Center....

If you or your children are at all serious about playing and learning advanced soccer and want to take the next step locally beyond the excellent Oconee County Recreation soccer programs, then I can recommend Oconee Futbol Club. My son decided he does not want to play soccer this spring, so we are not joining this league. There was an attachment to this that undoubtedly contained lots of forms to fill out, and if you need them then send me an email and I can forward them to you. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: oconeefc@charter.net To: oconeefc@gmail.com CC: dante275@charter.net Subject: FW: Academy Spring Registration Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 22:21:54 -0500 Hi Parents- Tomorrow is February 5 th . We really want to have everyone registered by that time. To help you out we will have walk up registration available Friday from 6pm – 8pm . We would normally have it a one of the fields but the weather is supposed to be bad. Therefore, we will have it...

Well deserved award to Oconee County Observations blogger Lee Becker and his work to maintain and keep clean Barber Creek here in Oconee County. From: Lee Becker lbbecker@mindspring.com Date: February 4, 2010 10:54:01 PM EST To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Subject: Georgia River Network Awards Reply-To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Dear Friends, The Georgia River Network today named the winners of its 2010 River Celebration Awards: the Coosa River Basin Initiative from Rome as the Watershed Group of the Year, Gordon Rogers of Albany as the River Conservationist of the Year, and me as the Volunteer of the Year. I'm truly delighted and honored, and I thank Karen Kimbaris, Eleanor Cotton, Tim Price and Joe Block from the Friends of Barber Creek for their support. Certainly they deserve the recognition as well. Details are at: http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2010/02/georgia-river-network-announced-river.html Lee -- Lee Becker Blog: www.oconeecountyobservations.blo...

Watch the whole Democratic Debate held in Athens Tuesday night on the link below: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/ video/22417918/ DuBose: Experience, Character, Solutions. and short email updates. (478) 290-2801 P.O. Box 98 Dublin, GA 31040 This message has been forwarded by danjmatt@bellsouth.net. As the recipient of this forwarded message you have not been added to any email list. Powered by NGP Software, Inc.

Chambliss: Repealing DADT Would Open Door To 'Adultery' And 'Body Art' In The Military | TPM LiveWire Posted using ShareThis

These are photos from the Health Care Forum held at the Waktinsville Library to a crowd of several dozen concerned audience members who heard from health care providers and insurance professionals about the problems and possible solutions from audience members as well as panelists. There were many different opinions in this discussion led by Russell Edwards and featuring Dr. Neil Priest, Teresa Duncan and Fazal Khan, who is in the law school. Oconee Dems plan forum on health care plan || OnlineAthens.com

The winner of the debate was the people of Georgia for turning in and learning about Thurbert Baker's daughter, the erroneous comparison of Carl Camon's Ray City to that of Wasilla, Alaska by panelist Tim Bryant, and watching DuBose Porter, Roy Barnes and General David Poythress careful not to step on one and others feet except in uniting in attacks on the status quo of Georgia Republican party. Leading in the polls seems to agree wtih Roy Barnes as he kind of played the jovial grandfather of the event. He glad handed everyone and appeared to have the fewest handlers at maybe two besides his wife. DuBose told of legislation he passed vetoed by Barnes back when he was our Governor before Sonny Perdue. The current lame duck Republican leaders was the target of many barbs for the many pet projects and property possessed at sweetheart deals. Needless to say, the Republicans have not done a very good job of taking care of the considerable needs of the State of Georgia recently,...

The money behind these Republican politicians is simply a-mazing!

Once upon a time not all that long ago in the midst of a recent political season I confided two bits of supposed political wisdom upon a local elected official piling signs out of an automobile. These two axioms of dubious wisdom and quality were as follows: Political Rule #1 Never run against a Fireman Political Rule #2 Never run against a Fireman's wife. This alone should convince Esther Porter she has no chance whatsoever to beat Margaret Hale in the 2010 Republican Primary and de facto General Election for the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. Margaret has had a health scare recently but in no way should this effect her ability to govern, although she did miss the most recent Board of Commissioners meeting.  I suppose Porter could be hedging her bet against Hale's health worsening, but even the most cynical political observer would not want their opponent to get more sick in order to win. In the insular world of whisper campaigns as loud as dynamite locally, this...

Friend -- Today, at 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time, Organizing for America is hosting a "Conversation with the President" -- and you won't want to miss it. President Obama will talk about fighting for change in 2010, and then answer questions from grassroots supporters like you. You can watch a webcast of the event starting at 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time: http://my.barackobama.com/Conversation President Obama will review our many accomplishments this past year and address the tough fights ahead of us -- including the 2010 elections, fighting to strengthen the middle class, and finishing the job on health reform. Then, I'll ask the President some of the questions that OFA supporters like you submitted online. I hope you can tune in at 5:45 Eastern: http://my.barackobama.com/Conversation Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South ...

Once again our correspondent and former Duke wrestler Fred Johnson reports exhaustively about the town where he calls home and formerly served as City Council member. From: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com Date: February 3, 2010 9:48:52 PM EST To: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com Subject: TONHS Feb 1, 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                            February 3, 2010 The council discussed the town's insurance needs and the merits of...

Armed robbery is rare in Watkinsville and we would like to keep it that way Store owner ups robbery reward || OnlineAthens.com

Last reminder I promise Woven brightly,  Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: info@paulbrounjr.com Subject: Thursday Reform Forum in Oconee County Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:04:04 -0700 From:  Pull the Plug PAC Re:      Thursday Feb 4, 2009 Reform Forum in Watkinsville Please contact Pat Priest, Oconee County Democrat, at 706-353-8310 for additional comment on the reform forum. For more information about Pull the Plug PAC, please contact Russell Edwards at 678-787-1191. Media release written by Michael Smith and includes quotes attributed to Pat Priest and Russell Edwards. Event:  Oconee County Reform Forum When:  Thursday Feb 4 2010 at 7pm Where: Oconee Public Library  1800 Experimental Station Rd. Watkinsville, GA 30677 Oconee Democrats invite the general public to a reform forum at the public library in Watkinsville, GA on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of political views or affiliation. A p...