Oconee County, GA Politics

UGA swim coach Jack Bauerle gets big boost in pay, extension; track coach also rewarded

A liberal Democrat takes aim at Hice’s deep-red Georgia district | Political Insider U.S. Rep. Jody Hice represents one of the redder districts in the nation, a northeast Georgia stretch splattered around the deep-blue island of Athens. He’s drawn a 2018 challenger who aims to energize those core Democrats in next year’s midterms. Chalis Montgomery, a 39-year-old educator and youth ministry leader, is backing an ardently progressive platform. She lists an immigration overhaul, criminal justice reform and access to college and vocational training for all among her policy platforms. Democrat Chalis Montgomery. But she’s centering her campaign on a call for universal healthcare. Her announcement tells of her 9-year-old daughter Gwen, who suffers from the pre-existing condition of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and thus is covered by the Affordable Care Act. She said Hice, who voted to repeal and replace the measure this year after initial concerns that it didn’t shave...

Democratic candidate Chalis Montgomery is announcing her bid to represent Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. Her run for congress is motivated by her faith and her commitment to democracy. Montgomery plans to put American values over partisan division and will fight for the dignity and opportunity that everyone deserves. Montgomery, 39, is stepping up to challenge incumbent Republican Jody Hice, who has failed to fight for the needs of Georgia families and small business owners. Montgomery has lived in Bethlehem with her husband for 15 years and has a daughter who is directly affected by the healthcare debate. Through her work as an educator and children’s minister, Montgomery has seen the effects of bad public policy and has a clear vision for addressing the needs of her community.  As an entrepreneur, she has witnessed firsthand the difficulties faced by the business community, and believes that much more could be done to spur growth on Main Street. Mon...

A star is born (politically speaking) Go Chalis! Hice staffer pressed on congressman’s position on Obamacare repeal

A prominent Democratic health advocate entered the race for Georgia’s open Insurance Commissioner seat on Tuesday with a pledge to serve as a compassionate voice for consumers, sensing an opportunity to flip a down-ticket office that’s been held for decades by Republicans. Cindy Zeldin, the executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, is the first high-profile Democrat to announce a bid to succeed Republican Ralph Hudgens. The two-term Republican said Monday he would not run for another stint in office. “For too long, the office hasn’t been focused on the consumers,” said Zeldin. “The people need a champion – they need someone who will do everything to make sure they have insurance options that are fair, affordable and transparent.” Zeldin contends the office is too cozy with insurers, and that the next commissioner should be focused “first and foremost about consumers.” She plans to step down from her advocacy group, which was one of the more forceful s...

Kemp Hits Back at Abrams' Voter Suppression Jab

A creepy airline run-in forges a Georgia bipartisan friendship | Political Insider blog

The tire amnesty held in Oconee County recently gave me an idea.   Citizens were allowed to drop off old tires at recycling centers without paying a fee. The county lost a little revenue, but the amnesty reduced the number of illegal tire dumps and the mosquitoes breeding there. It’s a trade-off. We need something like that for Trump voters: a face-saving way for them to say – finally – “I made a mistake” without being roundly pelted with harsh volleys of “We told you so!” and “What were you thinking?” Half of us sure would love to put Trump voters through a gauntlet of recrimination. But it would be better to all come to terms with the frightening nature of a pinball president careening through the White House stopping to tweet – ding! ding! – then watching Fox News – ding! ding! – and onward, heedlessly. Let’s declare an amnesty period so that we can – together – address the many problems we face in the world. Pat Priest Priest: How about an amnesty for Trump voters?

Great family, great story, great article. Lots of love to the Browning family Richard Browning on working at Athens Academy - ‘I love what I do’

She will do an excellent job, and I am very proud of her hiring. Great choice! Davol named director of Oconee recreation and parks