Reflections of an Election
Congratulations to new city council member Connie "Clipboard" Massey, who may be the only person who has attended more Watkinsville city council meetings than me. She defeated my friend Nicole "Nickey" Turner Brooks, daughter of Peggy Holcomb and sister of Sherry Seila-Turner by a 224 to 158 margin. This was Nickey's first attempt at running for office, but I hope it will not be her last. Being a single parent and running for office and holding a job at the same time is never easy, especially when you work overnight at the county jail. Congratulations to both candidates on a well run race, but quite frankly, I have no idea where either candidate stands on any substantive issue in Watkinsville or Oconee County. Nor do I know how new unopposed candidate Mike Huff is going to vote.
I thank God for the level heads, hearts, and minds of Toby Smith and Brian Brodrick, both of whom have always done their absolute best for the City of Watkinsville, and have always answered my questions and sometimes even questioned me. I do not always agree with them on every issue, but have never seen any extremist views or questionable tactics on any topic by the both of them. No question who will be leading the debate and discussion over the next two years.
Connie has expressed disdain for the two-party system, but done little else to distinguish herself and her political views. One distraught Brooks supporter claimed Massey will follow suit with Mike Link when it comes to beer and wine licenses, and that would be an unqualified "No" because of some sort of religious or philosophical belief against spirits and/or alcohol being served in restaurants. I do not think we will see the disbanding of beer and wine in local restaurants, because if we do, you will see almost every restaurant shut down quicker than you can say "Republican tax and spend Taliban."
Speaking of local Republicans, when are they going to stop placing uninvited and unwanted campaign signs on public rights of way, medians, parks, churches and schools? This seems to be an annual rite of passage, and no one is ever held accountable for this blatantly illegal campaign tactic. I know the local police have a whole lot better things to do than to go chasing after Republican sign placers, but I salute Watkinsville Chief of Police Lee O'Dillon for pulling out a couple of yard signs on the Harris Shoals Park property adjacent to the Watkinsville Community Center polling place. Someone like Oconee County Republican Chairman Jay Hanley needs to be held accountable for this consistent and willful violation of the law. Are the city or county Code Enforcement officers reading this? Does anyone care at all? Are yard signs a complete waste of time?
Connie Massey made some signs and placed them all over Watkinsville in private residences and businesses. Was this the difference in the race? Perhaps. Nickey had the inherent social media edge, but chose to ignore that for the most part, and unfortunately most aging local voters don't give a damn about Facebook or anything else for that matter. Nickey supposedly canvassed most subdivisions but needed to have a door hanger or card or a sticky note at least for people who were not at home.
It is easy to look back and say "what if?" It is much more difficult to predict "what's next?" I can't imagine current Mayor Charles Ivie serving more than one more term, but that could be premature as well. What do you think is going to happen?
I thank God for the level heads, hearts, and minds of Toby Smith and Brian Brodrick, both of whom have always done their absolute best for the City of Watkinsville, and have always answered my questions and sometimes even questioned me. I do not always agree with them on every issue, but have never seen any extremist views or questionable tactics on any topic by the both of them. No question who will be leading the debate and discussion over the next two years.
Connie has expressed disdain for the two-party system, but done little else to distinguish herself and her political views. One distraught Brooks supporter claimed Massey will follow suit with Mike Link when it comes to beer and wine licenses, and that would be an unqualified "No" because of some sort of religious or philosophical belief against spirits and/or alcohol being served in restaurants. I do not think we will see the disbanding of beer and wine in local restaurants, because if we do, you will see almost every restaurant shut down quicker than you can say "Republican tax and spend Taliban."
Speaking of local Republicans, when are they going to stop placing uninvited and unwanted campaign signs on public rights of way, medians, parks, churches and schools? This seems to be an annual rite of passage, and no one is ever held accountable for this blatantly illegal campaign tactic. I know the local police have a whole lot better things to do than to go chasing after Republican sign placers, but I salute Watkinsville Chief of Police Lee O'Dillon for pulling out a couple of yard signs on the Harris Shoals Park property adjacent to the Watkinsville Community Center polling place. Someone like Oconee County Republican Chairman Jay Hanley needs to be held accountable for this consistent and willful violation of the law. Are the city or county Code Enforcement officers reading this? Does anyone care at all? Are yard signs a complete waste of time?
Connie Massey made some signs and placed them all over Watkinsville in private residences and businesses. Was this the difference in the race? Perhaps. Nickey had the inherent social media edge, but chose to ignore that for the most part, and unfortunately most aging local voters don't give a damn about Facebook or anything else for that matter. Nickey supposedly canvassed most subdivisions but needed to have a door hanger or card or a sticky note at least for people who were not at home.
It is easy to look back and say "what if?" It is much more difficult to predict "what's next?" I can't imagine current Mayor Charles Ivie serving more than one more term, but that could be premature as well. What do you think is going to happen?
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