Rossiter: Given a new leash on life || OnlineAthens.com

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

Business Briefs: Select Trees gets top business award || 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 become "inland port" city, create thousands of jobs should they follow Cordele's lead- Local & State - Macon.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

A book well worth reading for your Valentine - will you be mine?

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 people who want to develop every
last parcel of land in Oconee and elsewhere. And then go take a walk to
look closely at the woods and fields yourself!

See the details below about time and place.

Work to protect the irreplaceable web of life around us!

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 essays about Leopold's
home in Wisconsin, where he hunted, fished, and walked the land to
closely observe the seasons. The work is considered alongside Rachel
Carson's "Silent Spring" as one of the top-two 20th-century books about
the environment.

The group meets the last Wednesday of every month at 6 PM at Five Points
Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway. The February discussion takes place on
February 24th and is open to people from any county and with any
political affiliation -- or none.

The group's books are available at a 25% discount at Books Galore in
Watkinsville.

To see the year's slate of books, check out oconeedemocrats.org. The
March book has been changed to one about Haiti (the inspiring
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder) to learn more about that resilient
nation so plagued by poverty and tragedy.

For more information, contact Pat Priest at patricia.priest@yahoo.com.
_,_.___

ps I will be the first to urge you to buy locally but if you do click on the amazon links
 then this blog may eventually see a few shillings

Fwd: February book: a great one!

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 essays about Leopold's home in Wisconsin, where he hunted, fished, and walked the land to closely observe the seasons.  The work is considered alongside Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" as one of the top-two 20th-century books about the environment.

The organizer of the group, Pat Priest, had this to say about Leopold's book: "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.  Read it if you've lost your sense of wonder."

The group meets the last Wednesday of every month at 6 PM at Five Points
Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway.  The February discussion takes place on February 24th and is open to people from any county and with any political affiliation -- or none.

The group's books are available at a 25% discount at Books Galore in Watkinsville.

To see the year's slate of books, check out oconeedemocrats.org.  The March book has been changed to one about Haiti (the inspiring "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder) to learn more about that resilient nation so plagued by poverty and tragedy.

For more information, contact Pat Priest at patricia.priest@yahoo.com.

Pass health reform now

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 spiraling costs, and why abandoning reform is just not an option. You can also help by posting this note on Facebook, letting your friends know about the new costs study and asking them to join you in writing a letter to a local paper. President Obama and many allies in Congress are working hard to finish the job -- but we can't rest until it's done. Your note will help break through the Washington spin and show members of Congress and the media what local voters really believe. Click here to get started: http://my.barackobama.com/FinishTheJob It's clear that we're in the fight of our lives to pass real reform. But after a century of trying, the finish line is finally in sight. As President Obama reminded us all in his State of the Union address, we're fighting for our families and our country -- and we don't quit. Thanks for making it possible, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to: oconeedemo.crats@blogger.com Update Address / Email | Unsubscribe

Watkinsville City Council agenda for Wednesday evening Feb. meeting 2010

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 B&B hosts next meeting of the Oconee County Historic

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!

Perdue proposes appointing instead of electing 4 state officials || OnlineAthens.com

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

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

Posted using ShareThis

This week in hoops in Oconee County

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

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.  So let's plan on meeting about 7:30 at the gym and watching the girls and the boys and support our Spartans.  Our boys will be playing at halftime of the boys game which should be about 9:15.  If you want, you can drop your kid off, I will be there about 7:30, and I will be happy to load them up with Fun Dip and a Coke…we would like to organize a team picture before halftime of the boys game.  SO EVERYBODY WEAR GREEN!  We will then reverse one team after the picture.

Saturday the green team (Connor Owen T Taylor Will Jackson Drew) plays at 12:30 vs. Jack Mangle and the white team (Carson, Lowell, Joe, Alex, James, John, Thomas) plays at 2:30 vs. Rocky Branch.  This will conclude our regular season.  Playoffs begin next week during the week.  We do not know where we are seeded yet.  The minute I do, I will contact you and let you know.  But please keep in mind that if winning continues, you could play every night next week.  Hope that didn't jinx us…

We will also discuss the end of the year party (who am I kidding?) the parents will discuss the end of the year party and there will be an email to follow regarding that.

HOOPS HOOPS HOOPS!

Christopher Pittard

Oconee Futbol Club Academy Spring Registration

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 at 1081 Coday Bluff Athens, 30606. If you have not registered, please contact us or come by on Friday.

Directions from Loop 10:

Travel south to Spartan Ln.

Turn left onto Spartan Ln

Take the 2^nd right onto Knob Creek

Take the first right onto Coday Bluff

Go to the end of the street on the left, 1081 Coday Bluff

Directions coming from the south:

Travel North on 441/129 past the Hog Mt. Rd intersection

Turn Right onto Spartan Ln

Take the 2^nd right onto Knob Creek

Take the first right onto Coday Bluff

Go to the end of the street on the left, 1081 Coday Bluff

If you have trouble, call 706-614-1359 or 706-614-3394

See you Friday.  If you can't come, please call or email.

Thank you!

---

From: OconeeFC [mailto:oconeefc@charter.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 12:26 AM
To: 'oconeefc@gmail.com'
Subject: Academy Spring Registration
Importance: High

Parents of OFC Academy Players,

Welcome back for the 2010 Spring season!!  We are looking forward to working with your sons and daughters once again, and we hope they are ready to boot up and train hard.

I will try to make this message brief.

Even though all players are officially part of the club for a year, each player must fill out a registration form for the spring season for legal purposes.  All players must be registered by Friday, February 5^th.  Registration forms can be found on the website at http://www.oconeefutbolclub.com under "forms and documents" in the menu on the left of the screen.  One is also attached to this e-mail for your convenience.  We do not need medical releases or copies of birth certificates for returning players.  Registration costs will remain at $320 for the season. Please get your forms in as quickly as possible.

Checks are to be made payable to Oconee Futbol Club.

Registration forms and payments can be mailed to: 

OFC Scheduler

3515 Old Lexington Rd

Athens GA 30605

For your convenience we will also have a representative at Oconee Veterans Park from 6-8PM the 28^th & 29th (this Thursday and Friday) wearing an OFC sweatshirt to receive your registration.  We will also set up a location to do the same on Thursday and Friday (Feb 4 & 5) next week.  We will let you know the location at a later date.

We have received inquiries from current players asking if new players can join and the answer is yes. With that in mind, we will reward any current player bringing a new player to sign up with gift from the club.  (Please make sure they are not already affiliated with another club.)  New players must also turn in a medical release form and a copy of their birth certificate.  Medical release forms will soon be found on the website.

Training sessions will begin the week of February 15^th.  We will have 2 sessions per week, and all training sessions will be held at the Westminster fields.  The season will open with games on March 6^th, and the final games will be on May 8^th.

We will update you soon with more exact information on training days and times. 

If you have any questions or concerns, send and e-mail to oconeefc@gmail.com or call Andy Pokoski at the number below.

Andy Pokoski

OFC Scheduler

H: 706-543-4834

C: 706-340-1186

ofcscheduler@bellsouth.net

Georgia River Network Award given to Lee Becker

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.blogspot.com

Web: http://lbbecker48.googlepages.com/

Should you want to watch the entire Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial debate

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

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

Posted using ShareThis

Oconee County Democrats host forum on health care plan

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

Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Debate round up

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, and the Democratic Party of Georgia needs to better point this out in clear ways on a daily basis if any of the five of these candidates truly have a chance to win. It is apparent that State Party chair Jane Kidd got the boys together in a room and read them the riot act as as not to repeat the Mark Taylor - Cathy Cox intransigence of the past gubernatorial electoral cycle.

The Georgia Democratic Party has yet to field a viable candidate to run against Paul Broun in the 10th Congressional District. There seems to be a disturbing wait and see kind of attitude about whether current Georgia Labor Secretary Michael Thurmond will run for Lieutenant Governer.  What about Ag Commissioner? No announced candidate there either.

Recent poll results have Barnes hanging with Oxendine and all the rest of the Republicans.  Will Roy be our savior or millstone? We shall see very soon.

Georgia Democrats need to continue to offer realistic and viable alternatives to the status quo.  A dozen years have gone by since they have elected one of their own to a statewide open seat, and it is well beyond time to end that. More opportunities for the candidates to meet the people are always welcome.

The debate was broadcast all over the state and it is a good thing to make Athens the go-to spot for political debates for both parties. The Young Democrats of UGA did a great job of getting everyone seated and credentialed. All in all, I give the event five stars out of five for all parts ranging from the satellite feeds to the venue to the journalists asking informed questions and not at all stumbling over or repeating each other. Moderator Ray Metoyer of WNEG 32 from Athens/Toccoa is pictured here.

Ray City mayor Carl Camon was the unknown factor for me, and he came away impressing me the most just for no other reason then I had absolutely no idea about him.  For no preconceived notions to work in your favor so well is more a comment on the way we have become very complacent in our elected officials. He has been mentioned as possible Lt. Governor timber as well, but mentioned he would rather have 5,000 one dollar donations then one $5,000.00 donation from a corporation. His long shot, small town candidacy is refreshing and exactly the kind of influx of new ideas from fresh faces the Georgia Democratic party so severely needs.

General Poythress rode a gimmick to not accept a salary until Georgia's unemployment rate drops below 7%, which is a nifty idea but not very good for our treasury and labor commissioner's statistics gathering.

Attorney General Thurbert Baker passionately spoke about his daughter's dealing with diabetes and showed he is more than a lawyer or law maker.

Carol Porter makes a great speech, aside from quoting Glenn Beck, for her husband DuBose here. This is not part of the debate but I felt inspired to share this with you.  I am a newspaper man, so it is hard for me to not support him. I would vote for her as well. Here she is addressing a group of small business owners kicking ass and taking names.

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

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

Esther Porter vs. Margaret Hale? No contest - Hale will win again in another landslide

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 strategy might actually backfire and garner Hale even more sympathy votes in her struggles. 

I think that by in that some of the old school elements in Oconee have urged Porter to run again. I would have urged a martyrdom campaign strategy around the whole Keep Oconee Beautiful fiasco, but Lee Becker's unearthing of the doubled raise of former director John McNally leaves a taint and a stench to the whole enchilada. Also I know of no anti-builder bias in Oconee or even Athens for that matter when it comes to pulling the lever, although the four thousand empty lots and numerous PVC farms and seemingly abandoned subdivisions do not bode well for Porter or her political viability.

What I do think there is abundantly clear is that certain elements of the local G.O.P. are afraid of anyone who does not display their conservative credentials proud or loud enough, and that in general relative newcomer John Daniell, Margaret Hale and Chuck Horton remain in the cross hairs of a reactionary minority with whom nothing short of a conservative litmus test putsch would make them happy.  No Republicans in Name Only (RINOs) in my back yard or my commission according to these ill-tempered types.

There is seemingly a much larger segment of the local voting populace that realize a few bits of cold political reality that seems to make the far right fringe angry around these parts. Chief among these is that the patronage and favoritism has to stop, that Oconee County is in serious economic jeopardy without some kind of limited and specific economic partnership with Athens-Clarke, and that the anti-incumbency fervor can only go so far when it comes to what actually gets done in this county.

Hale beat Porter like a drum once before and will do it again. Hale had nearly two and half times the votes of Porter in 2008, and I am not sensing some shift where suddenly several thousand people are going to change their minds.

Today: Conversation with the President

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 Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to: oconeedemo.crats@blogger.com Update Address / Email | Unsubscribe

Town Of North High Shoals Feb 1, 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred

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 different bids with those present.  Through discussion it was revealed that GIRMA, an insurance group run through the Georgia Municipal Association, insured many more items to much higher levels than the other two offers and at a significantly lower price.  In the end, the Town Council accepted the GIRMA policy for more than twice the insurance coverage for less than half the price of last year.  Last year the town paid $9,373 for insurance, and this year the town will pay $4,375.  That's a $5,000 savings for more and better coverage!!!!! 

The council then purchased workman's compensation insurance after it was reported by Council Member Arnold that the town has not had this type of insurance. The policy covers all town employees as well as council members.  Great job to Steve Arnold for all the work he did to get the town's insurance in order and save the town a huge amount of money.

Thanks for your support of North High Shoals; I'll see you at the next meeting.

                                                                                    Fred Johnson

Unofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting Notes

February 1, 2010

By Fred Johnson

Council Members at the Meeting:  Council Members Steve Holzman, David Lawrence, Steve Arnold, Mayor Violet Dawe, and Clerk Carolyn Pritchett.

Citizens and Guests: Mike Beall, Joey Westman, John Westman, and Horst Klein.

Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:00 – 7:45pm

Agenda Setting

·        Mayor Dawe stated that there would only be one item on the agenda: town insurance.

Old Business: 

1. Property and Liability Insurance

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept GIRMA bid for the town's insurance & 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.
• Council Member Holzman asked for the previous cost and coverage of the town's insurance.  Last year the town's insurance cost $9,373.00.   The Trident and Scottsdale Insurance bids excluded many areas of coverage which were covered by the GIRMA Policy.  GIRMA's cost for insuring the town was $4, 375 which covers all of the property's in town which were not covered by the previous policy.  The GIRMA policy is half the cost of last year's policy and offers much more than twice the insurance coverage.
• Council Member Arnold reported that he checked with two references for GIRMA and was given great reviews from Lavonia and Bostwick which have participating in the GIRMA insurance going back to the 1980s.
• Several citizens complimented Council Member Arnold's work and asked questions to help understand the offers.
• Discussion then focused on worker's compensation coverage for the city.  Council Member Arnold discovered that the city does not have workers compensation coverage because we have fewer than 3 employees, but the city is still responsible for these type of liabilities.  GIRMA offered the city their minimum workers compensation plan for $750 which would cover all employees and town council members when on town business.
• Motion by Council Member Arnold to purchase GIRMA workman's compensation insurance for the town employees and council & 2^nd by Council Member Holzman; approved 3-0.
• Discussion from citizens and council members was very positive about adding this insurance.

Mayor's Update:

(All requests to be on the agenda must be submitted at least 7 days before a meeting.  Direct your agenda items to Town Clerk Carolyn Pritchett or any Town Council Member.  Look for the agenda for the next council meeting on the town's web site one week before the next meeting.  The next council meeting will be held at 7: 30 pm on Monday, February 15, 2010 to discuss the Town's insurance policy.)

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to adjourn. Second by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 3-0.

Store owner ups robbery reward || OnlineAthens.com

Armed robbery is rare in Watkinsville and we would like to keep it that way

Store owner ups robbery reward || OnlineAthens.com

Thursday Reform Forum in Oconee County

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 primary focus of the event is to start the process of changing the tone of the political debate in Northeast Georgia.

After an opening discussion on President Obama's historic conversation with House Republicans two days after last week's State of the Union address, reform supporters will focus on the future of President Obama's health care legislative effort in Washington D.C.

The HCR panel includes: Teresa Duncan of Athens, health insurance billing specialist; Dr. Fazal Khan, J.D., M.D., health policy analyst and professor at UGA law school; Neal Priest, M.D., of Oconee County, emergency room physician.

"Examining the proposed health care legislation without prejudice or fear reveals that the bills are brimming with sensible and long-overdue changes," Pat Priest, a forum organizer, said. "The Oconee Democrats wanted to provide local citizens a chance to hear more about the facts in a setting without rancor."

Russell Edwards, a student in his last year at the University of Georgia School of Law, will lead the public discussion. Edwards is also an organizer for Pull the Plug, a political group based in Athens opposed to U.S. Rep. Paul Broun Jr.(GA-10). Pull the Plug is providing panel, media and grass-roots support for the forum.

"At each of our reform forums, we give a greater voice to people who have suffered under the current health insurance system," Edwards said in a statement. "Pull the Plug is empowering the community district-wide one town at a time to reform the Washington politics of division."

Topics at the forum include the future of the public option, children and senior health care issues, emergency care, prescription drug cost and other aspects of reform.

Come a little early if you want to chat with friends, both old and new, and find a good seat. Healthy snacks and refreshments, including hot cider, will be served to early birds.

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Michael Smith

Pull The Plug PAC

Media and Strategy

706-850-5896