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Showing posts from April 11, 2010

Lobbyist, lawmakers hobnob days before Legislature convenes  | ajc.com

Lobbyist, lawmakers hobnob days before Legislature convenes  | ajc.com Posted using ShareThis

Pictures from 2nd Annual Disciples Dash through Morgan Manor Estates in Watkinsville

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This year's 2nd Annual Disciples Dash put on by Watkinsville's First Christian Church did not receive nearly as much fan fare and publicity, probably due to the recent death of longtime area race organizer Will Chamberlain. But congrats to Teresa Guthrie. the runner from Watkinsville going to the Boston Marathon this Tuesday in only her fifth race. Here are many photos I took this evening:

Letter: 'Rant' on racer was ridiculous || OnlineAthens.com

Letter: 'Rant' on racer was ridiculous || OnlineAthens.com

The Editor's desk || OnlineAthens.com

But Jim, what the people really want to know is whether Nikki Broun can dance worthy of Dancing with the Athens Stars? The Editor's desk || OnlineAthens.com

Wall Street reform

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Friend -- It has now been well over a year since the near collapse of our entire financial system that cost the nation more than 8 million jobs. To this day, hard-working families struggle to make ends meet. We've made strides -- businesses are starting to hire, Americans are finding jobs, and neighbors who had given up looking are returning to the job market with new hope. But the flaws in our financial system that led to this crisis remain unresolved. Wall Street titans still recklessly speculate with borrowed money. Big banks and credit card companies stack the deck to earn millions while far too many middle-class families, who have done everything right, can barely pay their bills or save for a better future. We cannot delay action any longer. It is time to hold the big banks accountable to the people they serve, establish the strongest consumer protections in our nation's history -- and ensure that taxpayers will never again be forced to bail out big banks becau

FW: [oconee] Paul Broun Named Stupidest Member Of Congress

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Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: jveit@bellsouth.net Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:24:17 +0000 Subject: [oconee] Paul Broun Named Stupidest Member Of Congress   Apropos of our conversation last night, Salon's Joe Conason names Paul Broun the stupidest member of congress. Here's the link: http://www.salon. com/news/ opinion/joe_ conason/ Broun takes the award from Michele Bachmann. __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic ( 1 ) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group MARKETPLACE Stay o

Georgia labor chief Thurmond considering Senate run || OnlineAthens.com

Go Mike Go! Georgia labor chief Thurmond considering Senate run || OnlineAthens.com

FW: [oconee] Edwards & Untermyer to speak in Oglethorpe Co.

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Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me To: blake.aued@onlineathens.com; calendar@flagpole.com; madisonjournal@alltel.net; news@onlineathens.com; oconee@yahoogroups.com; oglethorpedems@yahoogroups.com; timbryant@southernbroadcasting.com CC: jpo@uga.edu; ksolheim@hotmail.com From: floyd_laura@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:15:33 -0700 Subject: [oconee] Edwards & Untermyer to speak in Oglethorpe Co.   April 16, 2010   For immediate release:     The Oglethorpe County Democratic Committee will host Democrats Sandy Untermyer and Russell Edwards, currently the only two declared opponents to Paul Broun, Jr. for Georgia's 10th Congressional District seat, on Thursday, April 22, 7:00 p.m., at the Oglethorpe County Library. The candidates will introduce themselves and take questions from the audience. Free and open to the public.   For more information, call 706-224-2653 or visit w

The Oconee Enterprise > Latest Updates > Photo Gallery: Oconee County Tax Protest/Tea Party

The Oconee Enterprise > Latest Updates > Photo Gallery: Oconee County Tax Protest/Tea Party Posted using ShareThis

Edwards & Untermyer to speak in Oglethorpe Co.

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Sounds like it will be an interesting forum. Saw Mr. Untermyer last night at the Oconee County Democratic Committee meeting, and I hope he will be interested in giving a speech with specifics at the forum at the Oglethorpe County Library in Lexington next Thursday evening. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Edwards & Untermyer to speak in Oglethorpe Co. April 16, 2010 For immediate release: The Oglethorpe County Democratic Committee will host Democrats Sandy Untermyer and Russell Edwards, currently the only two declared opponents to Paul Broun, Jr. for Georgia's 10th Congressional District seat, on Thursday, April 22, 7:00 p.m., at the Oglethorpe County Library. The candidates will introduce themselves and take questions from the audience. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 706-224-2653 or visit www.ogelthorpedemoc rats.org . On the web: russelledwardsforco ngress.com ; www.sandyin201

AP: Thurmond Ponders Senate Run - WGAU Local News on 1340wgau.com

AP: Thurmond Ponders Senate Run - WGAU Local News on 1340wgau.com Posted using ShareThis

Otis Putnam (R) Joins GOP Primary Race for Governor - Peaches in Regalia

Otis Putnam (R) Joins GOP Primary Race for Governor - Peaches in Regalia Posted using ShareThis

Paul Broun now recognized as stupidiest member of Congress

All the more reason we need a new Congress member in the 10th district of Georgia. Joe Conason - Salon.com Posted using ShareThis

A brief jolt: John Barrow among those who used 'the Boss' as a fund-raising tool | Political Insider

A brief jolt: John Barrow among those who used 'the Boss' as a fund-raising tool | Political Insider Posted using ShareThis

Support Moore's Ford scholarships

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Always been a big supporter of Moore's Ford Memorial Scholarships, and I believe you should be as well. Please consider sending them a sizable or small donation to continue to educate and support their efforts to show our recent history, warts and all. Oconee County is on the border of the infamous Walton County bridge where four African-American people were lynched by a white mob sixty some odd years ago. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: support Moore's Ford scholarships Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:13:30 -0400 Please reply to richrusk@charter.net April 15, 2010 Dear Friends, Springtime has arrived and we are fundraising again - for our 11th Annual Moore's Ford Memorial Scholarship program. With our banquet only two weeks away, and dealing also with hard economic times and growth in our program, we send this annual appeal for donations. If you have already given what you can, please accept our thanks! The respected Moore's Ford Memorial

NEGRC meeting April 15, 2010

Here is the video alone of the meeting from yesterday thanks to Lee Becker again.

4 Oconee sites granted designation by NEGRDC

Many thanks to Watkinsville Mayor Joe Walter, Oconee County Chair G. Melvin Davis and Oconee County State Bank owner Amrey Hardin for voting to include Elder Mill Bridge and the neighboring Mill, the largely unused railroad line and the Apalachee River as regionally important sites by the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Commission Wednesday at the Holiday Inn in Athens. Oconee County Observation blogger and UGA Journalism Professor Lee Becker as always goes the extra mile in covering the event(s) that the local media largely ignored or ignores. Oconee County Observations: Four Resources in Oconee County Get Regionally Important Designation Posted using ShareThis

Oconee Veterans Park protest draws 150 people

Does anyone else recognize the irony of anti-tax group taking government paved roads to a government paid facility to protest the actions and annual payment for our government? I hate paying taxes just as much as the most red faced or neck people who did not have to work yesterday in Oconee Veterans Park. I did read the speech of Oconee County G.O.P. chair Jay Hanley and it was very welcoming, polite, and not the least bit inflammatory or incendiary. I think you can find it on his facebook page. I will keep scouring the internet for more coverage of the Oconee County event yesterday. I know if Sheriff Berry had his way there would be no political protests at this park, but ultimately I think that is a Board of Commissioners ~ Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department decision, although I do think the Sheriff's Department would have the right to decide if public safety was at issue (which it very much was not at this event) as best I could tell. One elected Oconee County friend

House majority leader to leave office || OnlineAthens.com

Just the latest in the parade of Republican officials in Georgia to announce they are not seeking re-election. House majority leader to leave office || OnlineAthens.com

Veterans Monument, Watkinsville, Georgia

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Veterans Monument, Watkinsville, Georgia Originally uploaded by J. Stephen Conn

Grub Notes: Watkinsville, Part 2 - Flagpole Magazine: Colorbearer of Athens, GA

Grub Notes: Watkinsville, Part 2 - Flagpole Magazine: Colorbearer of Athens, GA Posted using ShareThis

VanHoose: Watkinsville's Townley crashes one car too many || OnlineAthens.com

I am not a NASCAR expert by a long shot, but I would well imagine 20 year old Watkinsville driver John Wes Townley would like to meet Mr. VanHoose at a Zaxby's sometime to drive home a few points about this column. But hey, it is a provocative piece about our homeboy, and I would wager that there are also many racing fans not from Oconee County who share the Athens Banner-Herald's sports columnists opinion of Townley's ascension and adolescence in the Nationwide series. I think he finished right behind Danica Patrick in one of her early season forays away from the open wheel circuit. I defer to the vastly more informed race fan in Watkinsville Chief of Police Lee O'Dillon, who I did not see at the City Council meeting last night and hope he is doing well. VanHoose: Watkinsville's Townley crashes one car too many || OnlineAthens.com

Watkinsville City Council gets ready for changes

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The April meeting of the Watkinsville City Council was brief and to the point, with the point being many activities in the near and distant future for the county seat of Oconee County. All the members were here for the meeting with not a huge agenda but a very ambitious aim months and years down the line. One business license was approved at the onset, and that belonging to Ann Peden of Ann Peden Jewelry, opening her first retail outlet after other locations in Watkinsville catered to creating her jewelry and shipping them as far as Nebraska and Iowa.  Ann Peden plans to open in Town Center at 2 South Main Street, Suite 107 in the old Georgia Originals location. Ann had a location at Happy Valley Pottery, and they are now following in the location that the Jerry and Kathy Chappelle had in Town Center. Don Truelock received a framed proclamation for the Oconee Lions Club for their ongoing battle against privet and other invasive plants in cleaning up neighboring Harris Shoals Park. Mayo

Two local cities get beautification funds || OnlineAthens.com

Way to go Watkinsville and good choice in location for beautification, right near the entrance to Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast. Two local cities get beautification funds || OnlineAthens.com

Strawberries almost ready at Washington Farms || OnlineAthens.com

Strawberries almost ready at Washington Farms || OnlineAthens.com

State Senator Preston Smith blasting David Ralston, Casey Cagle and others

I wonder what Bob Smith thinks about this now that he has nothing to lose.

How much could you save on your taxes?

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Friend -- Did you know that the average tax refund is up nearly 10% -- about $3,000 -- this year? And that there are more than a dozen Recovery Act tax cuts that over 100 million Americans can take advantage of this tax season? See how much you could save thanks to the Recovery Act. Together, in February 2009, we passed the Recovery Act -- taking our economy from the brink of disaster to the road to recovery, and keeping President Obama's campaign promise of giving 95% of working Americans a tax cut. Now, it's tax season, and there are more than a dozen ways the Recovery Act is helping folks save -- credits for new homeowners, help with saving for college, and rewards for making your home more energy efficient. After you find out how much you can save, make sure your family and friends can do the same by forwarding this email: http://my.barackobama.com/TaxSavings Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America Paid for by Organizing f

Gun activist: Broun is inciting armed revolt | Blogs.OnlineAthens.com

Gun activist: Broun is inciting armed revolt | Blogs.OnlineAthens.com Posted using ShareThis

Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting, 4/15/2010, 7:00 pm

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Please attend this meeting, especially if you have an interest in running for the Democratic nomination for the 113th Statehouse district in what was the old Bob Smith slot (OK he is still currently in it for a few more days of this session). Woven brightly,  Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: oconee@yahoogroups.com To: oconee@yahoogroups.com Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:57:31 +0000 Subject: [oconee] Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting, 4/15/2010, 7:00 pm Reminder from: oconee Yahoo! Group Title: Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting Date: Thursday April 15, 2010 Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Repeats: This event repeats every month on the third Thursday. Location: Oconee County Government Annex Str

Lollis named new principal at North Oconee

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According to the Oconee Enterprise newspaper, Barry K. Lollis was named the new principal of North Oconee High School by the Oconee County Board of Education, replacing interim principal Luis Varela. This is a photo of Lollis from his former school Windsor Forest in Savannah, where he was also a football coach. The following is from his bio at the Windsor Forest website: Mr. Barry K. Lollis, the 5th Principal appointed to WFHS since its opening in 1967, is beginning his third year at that post. His prior SCCPS appointments include serving an Assistant Principal at L.T. Shuman Middle School and most recently as an Assistant Principal at H.V. Jenkins High School. Prior to serving in administration, Mr. Lollis taught science at Savannah Arts Academy. He holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU), and two graduate degrees; MEd in Broad Field Science (AASU) and MEd in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University. Mr. Lollis i

Army veteran Democrat to seek Linder’s seat || OnlineAthens.com

Army veteran Democrat to seek Linder’s seat || OnlineAthens.com

JACKSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY (GOP): Straw Poll Results for April 10, 2010

Even though this is not part of anything to do with Oconee County except the 10th congressional district, I thought it revealing to show how few people can make small headlines and skew results for the rest of the state. JACKSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY (GOP): Straw Poll Results for April 10, 2010 Posted using ShareThis

Oxendine: Georgia will not participate in health insurance pool  | ajc.com

So let's review, shall we? Mired in its worst economic downturn since the depression, the Insurance Commissioner-cum-candidate for Republican nominee for Governor John Oxendine will not allow the people of his state of Georgia select insurance from a Federally mandated pool designed to give a relatively small slice of the non-insured some option. That noise you are hearing are the last rats scurrying off the increasingly fast sinking ship of the SS G.O.P. in Georgia.  Even stalwart conservative blogger Erick Erickson seems to agree with me on this obituary . Oxendine: Georgia won't participate in health insurance pool  | ajc.com Posted using ShareThis

Russell Edwards for Congress 2010 kick off rally!

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Russell Edwards for Congress 2010 kick off rally! Originally uploaded by steverogers with Dr. Robert Wyatt and Dr. Patricia Priest in from of Athens City Hall

Russell Edwards for Congress 2010 kick off rally!

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Russell Edwards for Congress 2010 kick off rally! Originally uploaded by steverogers Three Oconee County Democrats: from left, Dr. Robert Wyatt, Dr. Neil Priest and Dr. Patricia Priest. (Photo by Steve Rogers).

Op-Ed Columnist - Bank Failures - Why Georgia? - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - Bank Failures - Why Georgia? - NYTimes.com Posted using ShareThis

Announcement: Russell Edwards for Congress in GA-10

Now it is all formal and stuff Woven brightly,  Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: Announcement: Russell Edwards for Congress in GA-10 Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:47:49 -0700 News release from Russell Edwards for Congress with direct quotes from Russell Edwards and sourced quote from De bbee Keller, spokesperson for Congressman Paul Broun Jr. (GA-10). To:        Dan Matthews From:     Russell Edwards for Congress Contact: Russell Edwards, 706-372-6740   e-mail media@russelledwardsforcongress.com For Immediate Release: Monday April 12, 2010 Russell Edwards Announced Run for Congress on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 http://RussellEdwardsForCongress.com ATHENS, GEORGIA -- About 150 people gathered in front of City Hall last week in support of Russell Edwards as he formally announced his candidacy for United States Congress. During his speech, Edwards emphasized the need for a non-partisan focus on jobs and education. In his remarks,