Oconee County, GA Politics

From her Facebook: Well, it's official. I qualified today to run for the Georgia House of Representatives, District 119, against incumbent Chuck Williams. I'm running as an Independent. I look forward to discussing the issues and concerns of voters in Oconee and Athens-Clarke Counties. I'm pictured with Erin in the Georgia Secretary of State's Office who helped me register. I hope you will vote for me in the November 8, 2016 General Election. Thank you.

Man charged with murdering Chad Ruark has court appearance in Oconee County

As the noon deadline for qualifying clicked closer Friday, Pat Daugherty, a retired educator living in the Oconee County town of Bishop, signed up to run as a Republican for the District 46 seat in the Georgia Senate held by Cowsert, which encompasses all of Oconee County, western Athens-Clarke County and most of Walton County outside the Social Circle area. In addition to being a retired educator, Daugherty is president of Conservative Republican Women of Northeast Georgia, formed a year ago “to promote good government and conservative candidates,” according to its website. Ginn is facing a Republican challenge in Senate District 47, which covers Madison and Barrow counties and parts of Jackson and Walton counties, from Tyler Hollifield, a military veteran and student at the University of North Georgia. Hollifield is making his first foray into politics. The other three members of the Athens delegation to the state legislature, Reps. Regina Quick, R-Athens, Chuc...

Subject: Why the President is going to Austin today: President Obama is traveling to South by Southwest today -- the first sitting President to do so. In Austin, he's going to make the case for people "from all walks of life, working inside or outside of government, to help us make this democracy even stronger."   President Obama is traveling to South by Southwest today -- the first sitting President to do so. In Austin, he's going to make the case for people "from all walks of life, working inside or outside of government, to help us make this democracy even stronger." Coming from the tech industry, I was aware of the ways President Obama, his campaigns, and the White House have used technology to help people embrace the "imperative of citiz...

The Oconee County Magistrate Court was quite the happening place this Friday morning: you had Fox 5 videotaping from Judge Eric Norris's third floor courtroom for the initial hearing of accused Chad Ruark murder suspect (and brother-in-law) Daniel Anglin to a packed house of attendees, along with another domestic violence case. My heart goes out to all involved in that case. Next it was time for the probable cause hearing for Douglas Lanier Orr, a 70 year old Vietnam Veteran and accused animal abuser after four or five dead cats and a couple of chickens were found in his trash.  The trash company called Animal Control, and Oconee County Animal Control Officer Hensley responded to ostensibly find one cat to have yet to have expired, complete with an eyeball out in the best Bill the Cat description I have heard in a while, and kudos to Judge Norris for not making the members of audience look at all the photos of the deceased animals. The subsequent University of Georgia Veterinar...

Oconee County Observations: Sarah Bell Files To Run For Post 4 On Oconee Count... : Two BOE Incumbents Also File Sarah Bell today filed to run for the Post 4 position on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, joining in...

Handling growth will be the greatest challenge ahead for Oconee County, said Marcus Wiedower, 40, an announced candidate for the vacancy created on the Board of Commissioners by John Daniell’s resignation. Wiedower, a graduate of the University of Georgia and a self-employed building contractor, said that growth will “clearly” have the greatest impact on the county. He cited the “trickle-down” effects on the schools and infrastructure, including sewer and roads. Wiedower is a native of Atlanta who came to UGA and never left. He has lived in Oconee County for a decade, but he has worked here for longer. His company, Blueprint Builders, specializes in custom work, which includes historic renovation. He was the finishing builder of the barn that recently burned down at the Clydesdale farm near Bishop. Local builder seeks Daniell’s vacant seat : Handling growth will be the greatest challenge ahead for Oconee County, said Marcus Wiedower, 40, an announced candidate for the vacancy created ...

A lifetime in Oconee County has given Ben Bridges an empathy for his fellow residents. Bridges told The Oconee Enterprise this week that he will run for the commission seat being vacated by John Daniell. “I will listen to the people,” said Bridges. “I am not a politician. I can feel the pain. I know what it is to be a citizen of the county and watch things get done when you knew it was not the right thing to do.” Ben Bridges will seek office : A lifetime in Oconee County has given Ben Bridges an empathy for his fellow residents.

Dr. Paul Broun, the physician who represented at least part of Athens-Clarke County in Congress for seven years, announced his intention to seek Georgia’s 9th District congressional seat Wednesday on a Gainesville radio station, but had not formally qualified to run as of Wednesday evening. According to a report from WDUN-AM in Gainesville, Broun said on the station’s “Morning Talk” show that he “had conservatives all over this district for almost a year now encouraging me to run because they know that I have represented half of the counties of this district.” Broun went on to tell the radio station, according to its report, that he was challenging incumbent Doug Collins, a fellow Republican, because Collins is an establishment Republican who “has the values of John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Washington, D.C.” Broun announces congressional run, but has yet to qualify

Chad Ruark was shot twice in the back of the head before he was buried in a shallow grave in a forest, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry said Wednesday. Ruark’s body was found late Tuesday about 150 yards from where he was last seen on Feb. 23 off Carson Graves Road. Later that same day, sheriff’s investigator’s charged Ruark’s brother-in-law, Daniel Lamar Anglin, 36 with murder. When he was booked into the Oconee County Jail, Anglin provided an address in Watkinsville, but Berry said Anglin was living in Oglethorpe County at the time of the slaying. Anglin remains in jail without bond. The suspect was arrested at a relative’s home Tuesday night in Watkinsville, according to Berry, who said deputies received a tip on Anglin’s whereabouts. The suspect was arrested without incident, when deputies arrived at the house, Berry said. ~Wayne Ford - Athens Banner-Herald Oconee County deputies charge brother-in-law with murder of Chad Ruark

Democrat Michelle Jones announces run against incumbent state Rep. Emory Dunahoo

Will the Mark Thomas for Board of Education ever get removed from the garage facing Barnett Shoals Road next to the Oconee Enterprise newspaper office? Probably not, since it has been there for a half dozen election cycles now. Oconee County Observations: Mills And Thomas File For Post 1 On Board Of Commi... : Three Wednesday Qualifiers Retired educator Penny Mills and contractor Mark Thomas filed for the Republican primary for Post 1 on the Ocon...

The search for Chad Ruark ended Tuesday with the finding of his body in a shallow grave about 150 yards in the woods from where he was last seen on Feb. 23, according to Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry. Hours after the 42-year-old man’s body was exhumed from a wooded area along Carson Graves Road, investigators charged Ruark’s brother-in-law Daniel Lamar Anglin, 36, with murder. Anglin remains in the Oconee County Jail without bond. Anglin was arrested at a relative’s home Tuesday night in the northern end of Oconee County, according to Berry, who said deputies received a tip on Anglin’s whereabouts. The suspect was arrested without incident - Wayne Ford - Athens Banner-Herald March 9, 2016 Oconee County deputies charge brother-in-law with murder of Chad Ruark

Carpetbagging doctor renting in Clarksville? What kind of lunacy does the 9th face in a three way? Doug Collins underscores local ties amid possible Paul Broun challenge | Political Insider blog

Broun  changed his residency  to Habersham County in order to run for the ninth district seat, which neighbors his old tenth district to the north. He represented a chunk of its residents before redistricting in 2012. Broun to challenge Collins | Classic City Today

UPDATE: Oconee man found dead near home, suspect in custody

Oconee County Observations: Oconee County Commissioner Daniell Files For Commi... : Coroner Contest Oconee County Commissioner John Daniell made it official today, filing to run as a Republican for the position of Chair of...

Here is who has qualified in Oconee County after day one of qualifying: CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT ANGELA ELDER-JOHNSON E-mail: awts1970@yahoo.com PARTY: REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT: YES OCCUPATION: CLERK OF COURT QUALIFIED DATE: 03/07/2016 CORONER ED G. CARSON P.O.BOX 1516 WATKINSVILLE GA 30677 E-mail: carsoned5@gmail.com PHONE NUMBER: (706) 769-8339 PARTY: REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT: YES OCCUPATION: EMERGENCY MEDICAL QUALIFIED DATE: 03/07/2016 JUDGE OF PROBATE COURT DAVID ANGLIN E-mail: danglin@oconee.ga.us PHONE NUMBER: (706) 769-3936 PARTY: NON PARTISAN INCUMBENT: YES OCCUPATION: PROBATE JUDGE QUALIFIED DATE: 03/07/2016 SHERIFF KEVIN ("CHAPPY") HYNES PO BOX 194 WATKINSVILLE GA 30677 E-mail: chappy.hynes@gmail.com PARTY: REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT: NO OCCUPATION: CHAPLAIN-FCA QUALIFIED DATE: 03/07/2016 SCOTT R. BERRY E-mail: sheriff3101@gmail.com PHONE NUMBER: (706) 769-3945...

Watkinsville author Denise Weimer will host a book signing for the release of her latest novel “White,” which is the first book of The Restoration Trilogy, from 2-4 p.m. March 12 at Fair Havens Plantation at 75 Old Edwards Road, Arnoldsville. Weimer will conduct a reading at 3 p.m. and answer questions about her work. Also a drawing for a free novel will be held at 4 p.m. and anyone 13 and over can enter. Anyone who purchases a novel at the event will have their money refunded if their name is drawn. Watkinsville woman to host signing of new novel at Arnoldsville plantation house

Subject: Athens Area Democrats Breakfast 3/12: Buy tickets today! Athens Area Democrats Breakfast Clarke County Democratic Committee Join us this month for our guest speaker,  Chef Hugh Acheson who ...

Subject: TONHS Council Position Open - Mayor Seeking a new Mayor of N. High Shoals, since Mayor Beall is retiring from city government.  If you are interested, please call  706-769-4289  asap.  Qualifying for this post is scheduled for  8:30-4:30  on  March 7 , 8, and 9  at Town Hall (across from post office).  The qualifying fee is $25, and you must be at least 21 years of age and a resident of the town for at least one year. Carolyn Pritchett Town Clerk

I love living in Watkinsville, and want the Artland of Georgia to fully blossom. But we need to put the next wave of public art in some less obvious places on the peripheries and on the borders of the municipalities especially on the westside coming off the bypass. We need tangible creations that we all can be proud of by artists of local and international acclaim who will place their works of art on display for future generations to come. About the only memorable landmark on that industrial side of to wn would be Memory Station, so let's commission a railroad themed sculpture sometime soon. We need folk art, we need to perhaps emulate some of what Farmington has done with their outdoor art, and maybe take a page from Winterville with its steel structure arch over its city park. Imagine a Beverly Babb work welcoming visitors to Watkinsville with open hands or arms straddling the entrance of our city from Athens, Madison, or even Oglethorpe or Greene counties. We can even incorporat...