Oconee County, GA Politics

Nothing gets by Oconee County's Alley Howell | Athens Banner Herald Mobile

Two women publish book on Winterville and its history

Bridge tournament raises money for Alzheimer's research

Carter: Governor Must Be Held Accountable for Ethics Cover-Up That is Now Costing Taxpayers $3 Million June 13, 2014 ATLANTA—Sen. Jason Carter said Gov. Nathan Deal must be held accountable for his role in the cover-up of an investigation into his campaign after the state announced it will settle three additional cases related to the affair. Georgia taxpayers are now on the hook for more than $3 million in settlements. These settlements stem from pending and threatened lawsuits by multiple former state ethics officials who were wrongly terminated following their investigation into Gov. Deal’s 2010 campaign. “As a taxpayer, I’m outraged, and as a citizen, I’m embarrassed,” Carter said. “I’m outraged that we’re now on the hook for $3 million, and I’m embarrassed that this is happening in our state. “Taxpayers deserve to know what Gov. Deal’s campaign did that they are working so hard to hide from the public. The cover-up continues, so not only do we h...

Georgia man ties stumpknocker record

Funeral arrangements have been set for local businessman Horst Klein. A service will be held Wednesday, June 18 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, East, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Horst Klein Memorial Account at Oconee State Bank, P.O. Box 205, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677. The donations will support the work of the chaplains office at the medical center in Gainesville. Klein, 76, had recently retired after selling Engineered Fabrications, the company he founded. Klein died Tuesday, one month after a freak accident when he tripped and fell onto a john boat that he was carrying. The Oconee Enterprise > News > Services set for Horst Klein

Funeral arrangements have been set for local businessman Horst Klein. A service will be held Wednesday, June 18 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, East, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Horst Klein Memorial Account at Oconee State Bank, P.O. Box 205, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677. The donations will support the work of the chaplains office at the medical center in Gainesville. Klein, 76, had recently retired after selling Engineered Fabrications, the company he founded. Klein died Tuesday, one month after a freak accident when he tripped and fell onto a john boat that he was carrying. The Oconee Enterprise > News > Services set for Horst Klein

Organic and sustainable agriculture experts with the University of Georgia will host their third annual Organic Twilight Tour July 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Durham Horticulture Farm, 1221 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville. Admission is free, and a rain date has been set for July 17 from 6-8 p.m. The open house will be a chance for farmers and gardeners to learn about some of the newest research being conducted on the 90-acre farm, where the college's organic research plots are located. Researchers and students will give talks and describe demonstration plots where the latest organic cultivation practices are tested. "There's always new research at the horticulture farm that farmers, gardeners and the community will be interested in, so this is a great chance to come learn directly from the researchers and see the plots," said Kate Munden-Dixon, a program assistant with Southern Sustainable Agricu...

Sounds Like Paul Broun Might Run for Office Again

Corruption, greed, ethical lapses, and tax-payer funded payouts have increasingly become the norm in Republican Georgia 2014. Georgia settles with 3 ex-ethics commission employees The state ethics commission has settled for more than $1.8 million with three former employees alleging retaliation stemming from an investigation into complaints against Gov. Nathan Deal. Chairman Kevin Abernethy said Friday that the commission is pleased to put the matters behind it. Under the terms, the commission's former deputy, Sherry Streicker, will receive $1 million, former IT specialist John Hair will receive $410,000 and former staff attorney Elisabeth Murray-Obertein will receive $477,500. The settlements follow a jury verdict in favor of the commission's former executive secretary, who said her pay was slashed and Streicker's position eliminated as they were preparing subpoenas in the Deal investigation. The commission has denied any wrongdoing, and Deal has said he...

She was my chair on my run for the old 113th and while her district does not include Oconee County anymore, many people commute from Morgan County through Oconee on a daily basis, including Chris Gilbert Hodges, my favorite new city council member in the city of Madison . Patsy Harris, 63, as announced her candidancy for the District 112 State Represenative race this November. She is the only Democratic candidate to join the race thus far. The District 112 positon represents all of Morgan County and half of Newton County, with a total of 37,000 voters. “I have fallen in love with this place. I admire its past and want to be part of its future,” said Harris. Harris plans to form her political platform around the values and ideals she holds most dearly to her heart. “The very basic idea that everything stems from is equal opportunity to prosper in Georgia. This includes a quality education, quality healthcare, capitalism that is not skewed toward the rich, immigration refo...

Republicans resorting to attack advertising this early? Sounds like they are running scared in this "red" state. Second wave of GOP attack ads labels Jason Carter a ‘liberal trial lawyer’ | Political Insider blog

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has major new developments in the campaign finance scandal rocking the U.S. Senate campaign of Rep. Jack Kingston. An Atlanta attorney claims he informed Kingston’s campaign six weeks ago about potentially illegal contributions to his campaign and the criminal background of Khalid Satary, a Palestinian who allegedly orchestrated the fundraiser where the funds were collected. Alex Kaufman’s account of a face-to-face meeting with Kingston’s campaign attorney and an attorney for the Georgia Republican Party on May 1 contradicts what Kingston told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview June 4. In that interview, Kingston said he had no knowledge of Satary’s criminal past or that his campaign had received potentially illegal contributions. Kingston spokesman Chris Crawford confirmed that Kingston’s campaign attorney, John Eunice, attended the May 1 meeting with Kaufman and his client, Bill Miller, a former employee of one of t...

Republican Rep. Jack Kingston has released five years of federal tax returns ahead of a July 22 runoff with former Dollar General CEO David Perdue for Georgia's open Senate seat. Perdue earlier released 10 years of tax returns and had called on Kingston to do the same. Democrat Michelle Nunn has so far not released her tax returns, with her campaign saying she plans to make additional financial information available soon. Kingston and his wife's annual total income has been fairly consistent, from $164,400 in 2008 to $163,700 in 2012. The couple paid $10,000 in taxes in 2008, or about 6 percent of their total income. The couple paid $16,400 in taxes in 2012, or about 10 percent of their total income. Jack Kingston releases tax info ahead of Georgia Senate runoff

Begin forwarded message: From: "psommer" < psommer@bellsouth.net > Subject: historical society meeting Date: June 12, 2014 at 11:40:00 AM EDT To: < psommer@bellsouth.net > Don't forget that the next historical society meeting is Tuesday June 17 at Ashford on Main 7:00.  Come help us continue to work on details for our next History on the Lawn.

Lifting the lid on the debate over Medicaid expansion | Political Insider blog

GOP misfires on Carter claim

So we asked Broun today if he plans to endorse in the runoff, or in the 10th District race to replace him. Broun’s reply: “Right now I’m focusing on finding a job for starting next year and winding up our campaign.” Broun said he will continue to live in Georgia and then with “I still have a heavy burden for this nation,” launched into a quickie campaign stump speech about low taxes and limited government. He wouldn’t say what kind of post-Congressional job he’s looking for or whether he’ll revive his medical practice. What about another run for office down the road? “Well I don’t know of any opportunities at this point so I’m going to leave my options open for the future. We’ll see what kind of opportunities might be available that the Lord sends in the future.” Paul Broun is job hunting, not endorsing | Political Insider blog

From left, Blake Giles' shoulder, Johnny Lay's head, David Shearon, Chief Lee O'Dillon.  The Watkinsville City Council meetings are always a hoot for me, and the June 2014 was no different other than the air conditioning gave out and Mayor Charles Ivie engineered a strong open-doored cross-current in the pleasant second Wednesday evening as the regular monthly meeting.   There was lots of silent public hearings and other adoption of various budget issues. I enjoy watching the machinations of municipal government and the many people who parade in front of the town council to usually receive approval for their business or building permit. 10th District run-off candidate Mike Collins came to the meeting and met with not everyone in the room. Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast co-owner David Shearon came merely to cheer on his friend and co-hort Melissa Piche who may have done more to bring Watkinsville's many tourists a guided tour of some of the more infamous haunts...

In Ga. ethics crisis, whistleblowers aren't the problem

Georgia in bottom 10 states for senior health care

Oconee County Observations: Mars Hill Road Widening On Schedule Even Without F... : State Borrowing Oconee County officials now believe that the lack of Congressional action to address a projected shortfall in federal high...

Orlando man arrested in case of missing Georgia girl

Schools turn up the A/C for some summer hoops

Eric Cantor resigning from House leadership on July 31

MINUTES OF MEETING CALLED MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE May 23, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Ivie, Council members Toby Smith, Connie Massey, and Mike Huff ABSENT: Council members Mike Link and Brian Brodrick VISITORS: See attached sheet. QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Ivie acknowledges a quorum is present. OLD BUSINESS: (1) Discuss/consider GDOT payment for .0200 acres of property at 1030 Experiment Station Road re: traffic signal upgrades: Mayor Ivie summarizes the request. Upon review of the documents, it was undetermined if we purchased the property or if GDOT purchased the right-of-way (ROW). He notes that Mr. Whitecotton with GDOT says there are areas throughout the state that are the same. GDOT is willing to pay us to make this part of the ROW in order to begin the traffic signal updates. Mayor states this gives an easement even though they don’t own it. An attorney in Athens is putting together the documents to close. June 3rd is the deadline. Councilwoman Massey as...

Why Cantor's defeat has shaken the GOP establishment

Political certainties beginning to fade in black-and-white Georgia

Pardon Applicants Benefit From Friends in High Places

Why Cantor’s loss is especially bad news for big business

Cantor’s Loss a Bad Omen for Moderates

Eric Cantor loses primary, what does it mean in Georgia | Political Insider blog

Athens extortion attempt reported

It was last night On Tuesday, June 10, 2014 2:56 PM, Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com wrote: Residents of High Shoals, The Town Council of North High Shoals will have a called meeting to discuss traffic calming on Hillsboro Rd. Join us on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 6:30pm.  - Steve Holzman Council needs your input into what type of action you want them to take to make this road safer.  They have your SPLOST funds to make needed changes; all they need is your in person guidance.  They will be considering sidewalks, signage, speed bumps, patrols, and other traffic calming ideas you bring. Thanks, Fred Johnson

Sheriff Scott Berry announces that Harley Miller has been located. Sheriff Berry also announces the arrest of Robert Louis Coggins (36) of Kissimmee, FL, on the following charges: Interstate Interference with Custody and Enticing a Minor for Indecent Purposes. Additional charges may be forthcoming locally as well as in Florida. Coggins is currently in the custody of the Orange County Florid a Sheriff’s Office where he was arrested on our charges. The Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has already filed an extradition letter. We are exceedingly thankful for the work put in on this case so far and going forward by the Orange County Florida Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While our entire investigations division has been working on this case, we would like to single out the efforts of Investigator David Stauffacher who has neither been home nor been to sleep since receiving this case. Sher...

The 50 year old victim Greg Germani is a good friend and former classmate co-worker at WUOG 90.5 FM and also did the website Atlanta Time Machine . While it is doubtful anyone reading this blog might have been anywhere near the accident yesterday, I thought I would spread the word and ask for positive thoughts in Germani's long recovery. Witnesses: Verbal dispute before cyclist struck by hit-and-run...

Thank you former Georgia Congressman Ben "Cooter" Jones for unleashing this scheme which paid off in spades. Cooter Has A Plan To Unseat Eric Cantor

Ga. drug-testing law a cheap political stunt

Forgive me for a point of personal pride and family booster-ism from the Matthews-Johnson-Givens-Goecke-Nicol-Harris-Medlock neck of my woods in the Druid Hills section of DeKalb County, Georgia.  My 100-year-old cousin Jean Johnson Givens was awarded with a bench and various honors from the DeKalb County Commission, State of Georgia and other officials for her Master Gardener work. Here are a few more scenes from the area near Emory University and where my Grandmother Antoinette Johnson Matthews and father Daniel Johnson Matthews, Senior came from known as "the Hilltop" and traced back to Daniel W. "Pops" Johnson.It is nestled in between Druid Hills Country Club's golf course and the area where they filmed "Driving Miss Daisy" a couple of decades back. The section of woods was donated by Emory University.  Please consider supporting the Lullwater Garden Club .

Collins, Hice speak at GOP meeting

Expect Jack Kingston to be attacked on immigration, warranted or otherwise. CANTOR LOSES

Bill signing clears way for Savannah port expansion

Latest Gov. Nathan Deal pick brings another ex-senator into...

I would suggest that Collins is the lesser of two evils, but Hice is so strident and radical that Ken Dious would probably stand a better chance of beating him in November.  Collins, Hice speak at GOP meeting

Why I left the GOP

Rose of Athens Theatre Company’s Shakespeare on the Lawn performances of “Twelfth Night” at Ashford Manor on Harden Hill Road in Watkinsville. The shows will be held at 8 p.m. June 26-29. Correction

Boys Tennis Player of the Year: Titans' Donvan dominates in 2014

Everett: New carbon rule isn't job killer for Georgia

Athens-area teachers take part in Garden Earth Naturalist training at the State Botanical Garden

Our own home-grown terrorists strike again

Here is a newsflash, you can basically replace the word "black" in the headline and story and replace it with "women," "Hispanics," "Asian-Americans," "Indian-Americans," "Native Americans," "Gays," or any so-called minority that is quickly becoming majority in the Electorate in the State of Georgia and it is equally apropos to the current state of Republican Party in Peach State.   GOP struggles to recruit black voters, candidates

Barrow County robbery suspect arrested in Oconee County

Draft Dodging Republican Senator Refuses To Believe That Bowe Bergdahl Was Tortured

Prep Boys Golfer of the Year: David Mackey goes 3-for-3 on goals for the year

Prep Girls Golfer of the Year: Anna Buchanan proves self time and time again

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Decided Not To Enforce Sign Ordinanc... : Ordinance Enforced Last Year Oconee County officials have made a conscious decision not to enforce the county’s sign ordinance for a prope...

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Decided Not To Enforce Sign Ordinanc... : Ordinance Enforced Last Year Oconee County officials have made a conscious decision not to enforce the county’s sign ordinance for a prope...

Right-Wing Christians and Republican Policies Are Making America Stupid

Even though the Republican establishment has lined up squarely behind Kingston, the entire apparatus of political chicanery has always been in the pocket of this candidate and there should be no surprise at the sleaze and corruption on parade here. Business as usual folks, nothing to pay attention to, move along, and please don't let this make any impact on your decision July 22 Kingston donors linked to felon

Oconee County Observations: Public Service Commission Paying For Gas Pipeline ... : For Development The Public Service Commission of Georgia will spend $0.5 million to run a gas pipeline under SR 316 to Resurgence Park, th...