Oconee County, GA Politics: 3/27/11

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Couple of traffic accidents to contend with this afternoon on Deathtrap 316

Advisory Message has been issued by the Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office.
Thursday April 7, 2011 4:06 PM EDT
Accident with injuries at 316 & Jimmy Daniel. Watch for road blockage and emergency workers/vehicles.
For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4675593/?sub_id=496910.

Barrow County is reporting 316 at Hwy 11 blocked in both directions due to serious wreck.
For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4675595/?sub_id=496910.
Contact Information:
Lee Weems
Oconee County Sheriff's Office
706-769-3945 lweems@oconeesheriff.org

Contact Information:
Lee Weems
Oconee County Sheriff's Office
706-769-3945 lweems@oconeesheriff.org

The fiscal insanity of a $220 million tax cut

J. Phil Campbell Center’s future still in limbo

The Oconee Enterprise > News > J. Phil Campbell Center’s future still in limbo

Fox to give keynote at Steak & Steak || OnlineAthens.com

UGA basketball coach Mark Fox is an Oconee County resident, and I would be attending this if tickets were not $250.00 and I had not just paid to repair my driveway.
Fox to give keynote at Steak & Steak || OnlineAthens.com

Edwards to speak at Democrats breakfast || OnlineAthens.com

Oconee OKs May bike ride || OnlineAthens.com

Thank you Board of Commissioners for approving the Tour D'Oconee
Oconee OKs May bike ride || OnlineAthens.com

A Spoonful of Medicine Helps the Poison Go Down |

Update from Oconee Cty. Sheriff's Dept. about local debit card fraud

Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office
In reference to the debit card fraud cases, rumors of a single local merchant having been identified as a source are completely untrue. The Secret Service is still analyzing processing equipment, and they still do not have all of the equipment in their labs. Also, as we have previously stated, we have no evidence that any local merchants are complicit in the data thefts.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Calls Creek bank improvements and assorted Harris Shoals Park pictures

Watkinsville is indeed blessed to have received the land from Dr. Herschel B. Harris to make Harris Shoals Park. Dr. Herschel B. Harris, 92, of 1121 Brittain Estates, died Friday, Jan. 29, 1999, according to records found in a search. Anyone that has anything that they would like to share about Dr. Harris or his family would be most appreciated.

The following photos were taken this evening in an attempt at commemorating the improvements implemented by the City of Watkinsville in the latest attempt at keeping the park a perfect gift to the resident of Watkinsville and Oconee County. The results are spectacular. Well done Mark Campbell and company. I wonder when the final product will be ready, but it is downright amazing what has been done in a relatively short amount of time.

Mayor Joe Walter and the rest of the Watkinsville city council are to be strongly commended to for taking the initiative to spend SPLOST tax dollars in a wise way to keep the pretty little park well maintained. There are many more small projects to be enacted that will result in an even more amazing facility for all us to be quite proud of and to take our friends and family.

The Calls Creek stream bank has been very well rebuilt by the Carter Engineering firm, and that is what we are trying to portray in this photo gallery. They have done much more than just stack rocks and carve a new stream bank, but their progress so far is amazing. It looks great and I am very satisfied as a taxpayer for the City of Watkinsville for a job well done. The stream bank stabilization is a first step in a long process of bringing back the park to top notch status. This park has been host to a wide array of activities ranging from large political gathering to girl scout activities to many smaller activities. I hope the horse shoe pit gets squared away too.

I look forward to seeing the final results of all the stages of the improvements of Harris Shoals Park. The bathrooms and the pavilions are both in dire need of remodeling and repair, and will only make this park a more attractive venue for people coming from all over to check out in our city.

Here are some prices to rent Harris Shoals Park. I have had two birthday parties there and been to numerous other activities at the park and can heartedly recommend it. Yes, the playground needs some improvement, and it will be getting it shortly. Yes, there are some very weathered railroad ties that need to be replaced. I hope the basketball court gets a three-point line.

Park Rental Rates for 4 Hours
	Area	Rate
1	Pavillion 1 - Picnic Tables	$25
2	Pavillion 2 - BBQ Pits	$25
3	Pavillion 3 - BBQ Pits w/ Kitchen	$35

All 3 Pavillions $50

Park Rental Rates for All Day
	Area	Rate
1	Pavillion 1 - Picnic Tables	$45
2	Pavillion 2 - BBQ Pits	$45
3	Pavillion 3 - BBQ Pits w/ Kitchen	$55

All 3 Pavillions $100

I think it is great that the Oconee Lions Club took it upon itself to remove the invasive species and maintain the playground. I commend them as well for their outstanding contribution to maintaining this facility.

GA Federation of Democratic Women INVITATION

Democratic women are invited to bust out their inner Diva for this event in Conyers Saturday, April 16th.

Woven brightly,

Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 14:29:32 -0400
From: info@georgiademocrat.org
To: danmatt@hotmail.com
Subject: GA Federation of Democratic Women INVITATION

Message body




		The Georgia Federation of Democratic Women invite you to share your inner "Diva" at their Spring meeting! Date: Saturday, April 16 Time: 11am - 2pm Where: Cameron Hall, 1035 Green St. SE, Conyers GA 30012 (map) Theme: "Celebrating Your Inner Diva" We'll have a silent auction, and a special prize for the most creative Diva. Wear your hats and boas to this festive event! Come enjoy your fellow Democrats and spend a day filled with fun and progressive fellowship. Lunch is $21 per person; please RSVP by April 9th! Need more information? Call GFDW Treasurer Beverly McMurray at (770) 426-6916 or email at btmcmurray@comcast.net.

	Homepage \| Contribute \| Facebook You have received this email through your subscription to our email list. If you did not subscribe, or would no longer like to receive email updates unsubscribe here. DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF GEORGIA • 1100 SPRING STREET NW • SUITE 408 • ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309 MIKE BERLON, CHAIR; NIKEMA WILLIAMS, FIRST VICE-CHAIR; RUSSELL EDWARDS, TREASURER; R.J. HADLEY, VICE CHAIR; MIGUEL CAMACHO, VICE CHAIR; REP. PEDRO "PETE" MARIN, VICE CHAIR; LAVERNE GASKINS, SECRETARY NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE • WWW.GEORGIADEMOCRAT.ORG

Georgia's farming, landscape industries raise concerns about immigration legislation | ajc.com

Oconee County Board of Commissioners' biographies

BOC-Bios2011-A.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Easter Egg Hunt for Oconee's Relay For Life

More on Georgia in 2012 — Peach Pundit

Public Policy Polling: Obama in decent shape in Georgia

County to name street after slain officer || OnlineAthens.com

Lions fundraiser includes barbecue || OnlineAthens.com

Strawberry festival at Washington Farms || OnlineAthens.com

Sheriff's deputies raffle off Colt rifle || OnlineAthens.com

Oconee Library announces slate of April programs || OnlineAthens.com

Arrests in debit scheme || OnlineAthens.com

Can President Obama win Georgia? - The Fix - The Washington Post

PPP poll: Newt Gingrich could lose Georgia to Barack Obama | Political Insider

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Athens line railroad: Switching Watkinsville, GA

My grandfather was a Georgia railroad man down in Dublin. Glad to see they still come to Watkinsville when ever they want to.

Second arrest in recent spate of Oconee ID thefts

Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office
We have learned of other arrests, this time in Maryland, in the debit card investigation. These arrests also stem from alert store personnel. Please understand that this case is spanning three states and involves multiple federal agencies and court districts at this point. It is also an ongoing investigation. We will not be able to provide a lot of specific information at this time.

Scout.com: Joseph Scelfo collects two

Blogging While BLUE: Don't Panic About the 2010 Census

Blogging While BLUE: Don't Panic About the 2010 Census: "Don't Panic About the 2010 Census By Chris Huttman With the release of the 2010 Census Data, many of my elected and non-elected Democratic..."

Civil war is declared in Georgia GOP fracture

Your morning jolt: A call for Casey Cagle to resign, from a Tommie Williams aide | Political Insider

Georgia statehouse Democrats try to save floundering HOPE Scholarship funding from tax and spend Republicans

State Senator Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and married to a former Athens Banner-Herald writer in Kate Carter, came back to the city where he got his degree along with State Senate Democratic leader Robert Brown of Macon and House Leader Stacey Evans to talk about the HOPE Scholarship yesterday.

Dems push exemptions for HOPE || OnlineAthens.com

http://www.redandblack.com/2011/04/05/group-wants-hope-revised/

Ga. Power ought to share financial risk in nukes

Steak and Steak meal featuring Oconee County resident and UGA basketball coach Mark Fox next week - BUY TICKETS NOW

Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens

Running blog about storm damage and power outages in Oconee County, GA Patch

Road closures: Antioch Church between Hwy 15 and Cisco. Salem Road at the Green County line.

Road closures: Antioch Church between Hwy 15 and Cisco. Salem Road at the Greene County line. This texted in from the Oconee County Sheriff's Department. I would imagine they had some damage from the storm last night in that topographically flat part of the county way down South in the most beautiful and sparsely populated section of Oconee County. Anyone with the scoop is welcome to leave a comment letting us all know why.

Blueprint: A few area communities make the cut for 'Camera Ready' || OnlineAthens.com

Lights....camera...action...CUT! What shows or movies would Oconee County be ready for tomorrow? A lot of them, but I would not want to try and remake the Clint Eastwood driven love story of "The Bridges of Madison County" but Elder Mill Covered Bridge would be a perfect location to shoot him shooting photos of a forsaken housewife.

Blueprint: A few area communities make the cut for 'Camera Ready' || OnlineAthens.com

Monday, April 04, 2011

Alert Message: Tornado watch in effect for Oconee County until 5:00AM.

Call 9-1-1 if you hear any trains coming where there are no railroad tracks

Subject: Alert Message: Tornado watch in effect for Oconee County until 5:00AM.
From: oconee-county-georgia-sheriffs-office@emails.nixle.com
To: danmatt@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2011 02:31:59 +0000

Hi Dan Matthews,
Alert Message has been issued by the Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office.
Monday April 4, 2011 10:31 PM EDT
Tornado watch in effect for Oconee County until 5:00AM.
There is a tornado watch in effect for Oconee County until 5:00AM. For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4674455/?sub_id=496910.
Contact Information:
Lee Weems
Oconee County Sheriff's Office
706-769-3945 lweems@oconeesheriff.org

Paul Broun on The Last World with Lawrence O'Donnell

msnbc.com Video Player

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rep Paul Broun on MSNBC's Hardball Discussing the shut down

More fire news to be aware of during our rush moments

Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office
The Fire Department is responding to a chicken house on fire in the 2700 block of the Greensboro Highway. Please watch out for firefighters and firetrucks.

Nothing Beats a Limerick About the GOP | Mother Jones

Oconee County Observations: Closing of Campbell Research Center Could Change C...

Oconee County Observations: Closing of Campbell Research Center Could Change C...: "End Could Be This Week The J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center in Oconee County is caught in the middle of the budge..."

Tonight's Weather from the Volunteer Fire Department via City of Watkinsville

Best batten down your hatches in your carports and garages before the inclement weather bears down upon us later this evening.

Woven cautiously,

Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

Subject: FW: Tonight's Weather
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 14:28:07 -0400
From: jsanders@cityofwatkinsville.com

Subject: Tonight's Weather

All,

Oconee County will be at a slight risk of severe weather tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms, strong 60 mph winds, rain and hail with isolated tornadoes. The storms will enter West Georgia about 8 p.m. They should be in our area around 11 p.m. and by 2 a.m. should be out of the area. The forecast is for ½ to 1 inch of rain.

Please be aware of the storms and take appropriate action to stay safe.

Thanks.

Mark

Mark A. Melvin
Deputy Fire Chief
Oconee County Fire Rescue
P.O. Box 145
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 310 3600

Counties pitch projects for T-SPLOST || OnlineAthens.com

Don't forget about the Oconee County Democratic Committee meeting discussing this very topic with Mayor Joe Walter and Board of Commissioners Chair Melvin Davis 7:30 pm Thursday, April 21 at the Jittery Joe's in Watkinsville.
Counties pitch projects for T-SPLOST || OnlineAthens.com

Want to learn how to data mine?

Aristotle Training - Democratic GAIN

Carter: Tax reform will hurt working class || OnlineAthens.com

Posted for those of you who say I never post positive links from Republicans, or at least those that have never voted for Democrats.
Carter: Tax reform will hurt working class || OnlineAthens.com

Oconee County ID counterfeiters caught in Virginia

Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office
Two people are in custody in Virginia who were in possession of over 200 local cloned debit cards. This is related to our recent spate of debit card fraud that has plagued Oconee County recently. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working with federal authorities both here and in Virginia. No other details will be released at this time. The Sheriff will provide a full press release at the appropriate time.

Athens: Life Unleashed: RIP Frontier Store Cat, Raffia

Athens: Life Unleashed: RIP Frontier Store Cat, Raffia: "Just got some sad news from Sarah and Devin at Frontier, in downtown Athens Georgia. Raffia the store cat has died. Raffia was a fixture in ..."

Advisory Message: The Fire Department is dealing with a fire on Hog Mountain Rd. near Butlers Crossing. Please use caution.

Be safe out there, especially around busy Butler's Crossing today

Woven brightly,

Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

Subject: Advisory Message: The Fire Department is dealing with a fire on Hog Mountain near Butlers Crossing. Please use caution.

Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 16:51:14 +0000

Hi Dan Matthews,
Advisory Message has been issued by the Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office.
Monday April 4, 2011 12:50 PM EDT
The Fire Department is dealing with a fire on Hog Mountain near Butlers Crossing. Please use caution.
The Fire Department is dealing with a fire on Hog Mountain near Butlers Crossing. Please use caution and watch for firefighters and fire trucks. For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4674103/?sub_id=496910.
Contact Information:
Lee Weems
Oconee County Sheriff's Office
706-769-3945 lweems@oconeesheriff.org

Hispanic growth will eventually tilt Ga. politics, census suggests | The Augusta Chronicle

31 year old Watkinsville woman was the last Jamie Hood carjacking victim

Athens Banner-HeraldJoe Johnson should write a book about the events leading up and immediately after the shooting of Elmer "Buddy" Christian and Tony Howard of the Athens Clarke County police department.
Officer to 911: I've been shot || OnlineAthens.com

Hank Huckaby defends privacy of pensions

Secret pensions » Local News » The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

Georgia Legislators Come to UGA for HOPE Discussion

Barack Obama 2012 Campaign Launch Video - "It Begins With Us"

I plan on supporting President Barack Obama's re-election bid and suggest that you do as well.

Ryan Iyer represents at State Geography Bee

He is also a very good tennis player and played on the Athens Academy basketball season this year.
Blueprint: Briefly || OnlineAthens.com

Vital four-county reservoir is 10 years old this month || OnlineAthens.com

Sunday, April 03, 2011

VCU Coach Shaka Smart does the Ironman Drill - 2011 Final Four

Georgia sheriffs' scooter trek to benefit youth homes | jacksonville.com

This article has a nice link to a photo of Sheriff Berry riding a green scooter

Georgia sheriffs' scooter trek to benefit youth homes | jacksonville.com

Law officers plan a hop across state for charity

I have never seen Sheriff Scott Berry on a scooter, but maybe he has changed his preferred method of transportation thanks to his recent hire of Nickie Brooks in the jail?

Law officers plan a hop across state for charity

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Watkinsville Police helping out at end of Disciples Dash 5K 4/1/11

Titans, Warriors open brand new indoor hitting facilities || OnlineAthens.com

I am glad our Oconee County high school baseball teams have a roof over their heads while warming up or practices in these new facilities. The Warriors and Titans can continue to compete against their region rivals in baseball. I hope state titles and playoff appearances continue in abundance as has become the norm in softball. Do the ladies get to use these batting cages? Just curious, I seem to remember someone recently opened a private softball batting cage in the warehouse district in Watkinsville. I need to start swinging a bat again or at least taking my kid to a batting cage soon. Are there any public batting cages anymore?

Titans, Warriors open brand new indoor hitting facilities || OnlineAthens.com

3rd annual Disciples Dash 5K thru Morgan Manor

The fine folks at the First Christian Church have always been very polite in setting up and asking folks for garbage cans. They have parked in my yard for one of the junctions of the race to set up water stations. I was happy to let them use my garbage cans for the water cups.