Oconee County, GA Politics

Watkinsville Budget Meeting Set for June 8 - Oconee, GA Patch

Thanks to the Oconee Patch for the update. I would suggest avoiding First Street and Main Street in Watkinsville Monday morning. I will have to slightly alter my route to take my son to school.

Athens Area Democrats welcomed the chairs from Oconee, Barrow, Oglethorpe and Clarke Democratic Committees Saturday morning at Brett's restaurant to breakfast brainstorm about ways to head off Republican redistricting ploys and possibly position a person to run against the Republican three in the 113th. Dwight Acey from Barrow County described his culture shock coming from the Bay Area in California to find a culturally and politically dormant left in Barrow. Victor Gagliano described some of the obstacles they have overcome in Oglethorpe County en route to keeping the Sheriff's and other offices in the Democratic column, which is an increasingly rare phenomenon in Georgia these days. Bill Overend of the Athens-Clarke Democratic committee described the once in a lifetime opportunity to get an as of yet unnamed Democratic candidate elected in fractured 113th House race in an election that will otherwise attract an extremely low turnout in Oconee and southern Clarke, Northe...

Begin forwarded message: From: Jane Kidd < jane.kidd@gmail.com > Date: May 14, 2011 2:40:49 PM EDT To: Patsy Harris < patsydudney@yahoo.com > Cc: Kim Bailey < kimbailey2010@hotmail.com >, John Bigelow < jrbigelow@windstream.net >,   Dianne Brookins < dbroo92288@aol.com >, Donna Brown < transcripts@yahoo.com >,   Suzy Compere < equilibrium.earth.ltd@gmail.com >, Suzy Compere < scompere@gmail.com >,   Floyd Everett < floydeverett@bellsouth.net >, Victor Gagliano < victorgagliano@yahoo.com >,   Bob Gray < ltgrgray@aol.com >, Helen Smith Greene < HelenHSmith@att.net >,   Janet Hill < janetehill@bellsouth.net >, Jana Hill Rabun < jchill1983@aol.com >,   Walter Hobbs < wjhobbs1@hotmail.com >, Chris Hodges < Chrishodges40@gmail.com >,   Cavonna Holcomb < cavonna.holcomb@gmail.com >, Felton Hudson < flhud@aol.com >,   John Jeffreys < j.jeffreys@w...

Car show a success || OnlineAthens.com

Watkinsville attorney lobbies for family court || OnlineAthens.com

Bike ride for band || OnlineAthens.com

Sincerely,  Dan Matthews Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 20:36:26 -0700 From: oconeefm@yahoo.com Subject: This week at the Oconee Farmers Market To: Come see us this Saturday morning behind the Eagle Tavern museum! Our vendors will be offering fresh greens (kale, beet greens, chard, etc.), green onions, green garlic, potatoes, herbs, shiitake mushrooms, live plants, grassfed Senepol beef, lamb, sheep's milk soap, applesauce, plum jam, strawberry jam, local honey, sourwood honey with comb, fresh flowers, birdhouses, bread, lefse, granola, cakes, poundcakes, muffins, shea butter products, boiled and fried peanuts, pork skins, beef jerky, pickles on a stick, and much more!   Market Manager oconeefm@yahoo.com www.oconeefarmersmarket.org  (currently being updated) 

It just keeps getting worse as the Deal team has kept out the Fox 5 crew of the signing of House Bill 87 Sincerely,  Dan Matthews Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 23:31:27 -0400 From: info@georgiademocrat.org To: danmatt@hotmail.com Subject: BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Deal's Hidden Payments Message body Revealed just minutes ago,  an investigation into Governor Deal's campaign disclosures uncovers $90,000 in payments to a clandestine business owned by the Governor's own daughter-in-law.   ...

For this brief appearance on a public service annoucement about skin cancer

Please consider participating in this reading club event Sincerely,  Dan Matthews  To: oconee@yahoogroups.com  From: ppriest@charter.net  Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 14:47:39 -0400  Subject: [oconee] Reading about Reconstruction  Here's the information below about the community book group's final,  wonderful book in a series of books we've read this year to commemorate  the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's inception. (After this, we're  reading a couple of books about nature, including the well-regarded  " Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate  Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity " by James Hansen.)  This month we're reading " A Short History of Reconstruction ." We think  times are hard and discouraging now! People working for the poor and for  African-Americans had a brief window for change, but many forces worked  against them.  We're meeting these...

I was unable to attend this meeting but rely on the reporting of Watkinsville Mayor Joe Walter's writing of what happened here. I hope they can consider more plans to help the stagnant local economy than just cutting some trees in yet another undersold development.  ODA-minutes-5-10-10.pdf (application/pdf Object)

With his announcement of running for the 113th, this kind of question will be getting more scrutiny now

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Athens-Area-Habitat-for-Humanity.html?soid=1103746609777&aid=3SfLabnxi34

Hearings scheduled on U.S. 78 widening || OnlineAthens.com

Peanut Politics: Georgia Democrats Need New Stars: a Farm Team.

Alan Alexander Discusses Plans for State House Run - Oconee, GA Patch

Governor signs antifreeze law || OnlineAthens.com

Zaxby's plans benefit for heart association || OnlineAthens.com

Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » The Race Factor: White Racial Attitudes and Opinions of Obama

Titans proud despite defeat in semifinals

Sad commentary of a flesh and blood story documenting the face of immigration issues as the Republican led efforts to deport undocumented people no matter their circumstance. I am not suggesting because he is a soccer star he should get preferential treatment, but at the same token, he should not be put on a list because he accepted a stolen video game from another high school age kid. High School Soccer Star To Be Deported - Sports News Story - WSB Atlanta

Letter from 10th District Democratic Chair Patsy Harris to Paul Broun From: Patsy Harris < patsydudney@yahoo.com > Date: May 11, 2011 6:18:54 PM EDT To: Paul Broun < drpbroun5@aol.com > Subject: About your Virtual Town Hall meeting Dear Congressman Paul Broun Jr., A Virtual Town Hall sounds nice and slick and so 21st Century, but being physically in the district, face to face, with constituents is, I am sure, what the Founding Fathers intended as the main link for U.S. Representatives and the electorate. With your upcoming Virtual Town Hall you will not make yourself more available to more constituents. You will place yourself further behind an impermeable glass wall in which not only you and your staff will choose what is answered publically, but you and they will have had plenty of time to form the answer. Thinking on your feet is not your forte, and at your few District 10 Town Halls this year you were obviously most comfortable when speaking, without inte...

Canning Memories with Julie L. Cannon Workshop Details Dates Saturday, May 14 and Saturday, May 21, 2011 Time 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Fee $50 OCAF Members   $60 Non-Members   Location Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation 34 School Street, Watkinsville Get directions < Click Here >   Registration Limited space is available so register early  To register call (706) 769-4565 or email  info@ocaf.com Download a registration form  Click Here This workshop is designed as an introduction to memoir writing for those who simply want to record their memories, and as a catalyst for those who desire to use their memories to write autobiographical fiction. The goal of Canning Memories is to develop and refine the essential components of shaping raw pe...

Best thing Governor Deal has signed yet - just in time for signs in Oconee County to remain germane and in the face of cyclists and drivers alike. I still do not know if I would venture out too long on Simonton Bridge Road/Whitehall especially east of Norton Road, but this is a beginning. Move over motorists: New law gives cyclists space | ajc.com

Erick Erickson’s plan to topple Saxby Chambliss in 2014

Deal appointees: Mostly white with many neighbors and donors | ajc.com

Bell Announces Bid for State House - Oconee, GA Patch

Have some input about redistricting in Georgia. No Republican mal-apportionment From: "William Perry" wperry100@bellsouth.net Date: May 10, 2011 10:48:44 AM EDT To: "'William Perry'" wperry@commoncause.org Subject: Redistricting Town Hall - Athens Reply-To: wperry@commoncause.org Dear Community Leaders – Common Cause Georgia, as a member of the Georgia Redistricting Alliance, is holding a town hall meeting in Athens to help Athens-area citizens to learn about the process of redrawing districts and how they may provide input to their legislators.  The town hall will be tomorrow evening, Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Athens-Clarke County Library. The Joint Committee of the State House and Senate will hold a redistricting hearing on May 16 th   from 5 to 7 pm at the Seney-Stoval Chapel on Milledge Avenue. Further information is  attached.  The GRA event will be held at the Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens. Please feel fr...

Drive carefully out there. Sincerely,  Dan Matthews Subject: Traffic Message: OUTER LOOP AT ATLANTA HWY CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT IN CLARKE COUNTY From: oconee-county-georgia-sheriffs-office@emails.nixle.com To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 12:01:12 +0000 Hi Dan Matthews, Traffic Message has been issued by the Oconee County Georgia Sheriff's Office. Wednesday May 11, 2011 8:00 AM EDT OUTER LOOP AT ATLANTA HWY CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT IN CLARKE COUNTY For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4689015/?sub_id=496910 . Contact Information: Capt. Jimmy Williams Communications 706-769-5665 jwilliams@oconeesheriff.org

The GHSA votes to expand to six classifications (UPDATED)

Bell announces candidacy for House || OnlineAthens.com

This adds a whole new dimension to the race with Chuck Williams and Alan Alexander for the 113th in Oconee County to replace Hank Huckaby for the State Legislature. I would peg them each at about a third of vote with Williams up slightly because he entered earlier. The Oconee Enterprise > News > Sarah Bell enters race for State House

Roswell Hornet Athletic Director John Coen is quoted near the end of this article, and I used to cover him when he was the baseball coach only. I remember he predicted Judge Bork would not get confirmed by the Senate before anyone else did. GHSA has Tuesday vote on reclassification | ajc.com

Come watch the Lady Spartans battle Paideia tonight at 7:00 pm at Athens Academy in State Soccer Class A playoffs. Athens Academy's Settles wasn't expecting to contribute so heavily as Freshman || OnlineAthens.com

Grant will fund dig at Oconee site || OnlineAthens.com

Mr. Alexander is an attorney from the Athens area well known to many folks. He is running against Chuck Williams for the 113th district in the special election for the State Legislature slot left open recently by Hank Huckaby's acceptance of the State Chancellor position with the Board of Regents. The radio show is on 9:06 am to 9:58 on AM 1340 WGAU on your dial or can be streamed live on the computer as well. Mr. Alexander did not make the final cut on the Oconee County Board of Education applicants for the Tom Breedlove resignation, and ran against Bob Argo for the Statehouse back in the day of 1981? The special come-one-come-all election in June 21, and the qualifying is next week.

Judicial finalists to Deal || OnlineAthens.com

Metamorphoses is the name of the play that The Circle Ensemble Theater will be performing in the water of the pool at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast 's beautiful terraced backyard off of Harden Hill Road and Main Street in Watkinsville July 21, 22, and 23. This is the adaptation done by Mary Zimmerman and will be performed in the small pool at the lovely venue in Oconee County, featuring former Seinfield actress Lisa Mende and other talented actors in the area. From their website: Metamorphoses  by Mary Zimmerman  in the pool  at Ashford Manor. July 21-23, 2011. Based on Ovid's transformation myths, the play subtly mixes the ancient stories of pathos and tragedy with contemporary language, humor, and thought, all enacted in and around a large pool of water. The themes of love, the inevitability of change, and the human ability to adapt to change are timeless, as is amply demonstrated by the sometimes eerie closeness of a vignette to the original lines from ...

I am sending this message to you in case you haven’t seen this in the papers.  I have heard the speaker before and he is very interesting, especially if you are interested in the history of the Native Americans in this area. Peggy From: "Laura Carter" < lcarter@arlsmail.org > To: Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 6:28 PM Subject: Sunday May 15 Ga. History progra  The Athens Historical Society < http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Egaahs/ >  and the Athens-Clarke County Library Heritage Room  < http://www.clarke.public.lib.ga.us/hqdepts/heritage/index.html >present  "Stones and Scorpions for Fish and Chips:   U. S.  Peacekeepers on the  Oconee and Civil Rebellion in  Georgia " with speaker Steven Scurry.  Beginning in 1791, federal troops were garrisoned on the  Georgia  borderland.  Celebrated by some, threatened by others, historian Steven  Scurry will draw from the 18th century archives outlining th...

Begin forwarded message: From: Mike Berlon mikeberlon@georgiademocrat.org Date: May 9, 2011 10:47:03 PM EDT To: Mike Berlon mikeberlon@georgiademocrat.org Subject: Executive Director Search Almost a month ago, I sent out a call for resumes for the Executive Director position of the DPG.  The application time frame is now closed and I have received more than 50 resumes for the position.   I am in the process of reviewing each and every application with the idea of cutting them down to between 10-15 candidates that I intend to interview as soon as possible. After that round of interviews, I will cut the number down to about 5 finalists.   I have formed a committee to review the final applicants and make a recommendation back to me of two people for consideration to be hired. The Committee is made up of several individuals and comprises members recommended to me by Senate and House leadership, and includes a representative from our Congressional Delegation, the State Part...

May Day Madness held in Watkinsville || OnlineAthens.com

Deal deals death blows to Georgia tourism Georgia tourism boosters brace for impact of crackdown on illegal immigration | ajc.com

DOG SHOW POOP: OCONEE RIVER KENNEL CLUB

New Oconee Middle School Assistant Principal Named - Oconee, GA Patch

So now Georgia has two favorite sons who are done before they begin their Presidential campaigns Woven brightly,  Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 11:03:05 -0400 From: newsletters@email.washingtonpost.com To: danmatt@hotmail.com Subject: Breaking News: Newt Gingrich to announce candidacy for president ---------------------------------------- Breaking News Alert: Newt Gingrich to announce candidacy for president May 9, 2011 11:00:50 AM ---------------------------------------- A spokesman for Newt Gingrich says the former House speaker will announce Wednesday he is running for president. http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/2GZNC0/407UMO/QPR26H/0QKC8F/ZELW5/82/h For more information, visit washingtonpost.com ---------------------------------------- Have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? Download any of The Washington Post apps for iOS devices: http://itunes.com/apps/thewashingtonpost ---------------------------------------- Get breaking n...