Oconee County, GA Politics

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc. P. O. Box 1301 Watkinsville, GA 30677 Once again the Board of Commissioners will consider a rezone that will encroach on residential and agricultural areas. This rezone is along Daniels Bridge Road. Folks in Tanglebrook, Windy Creek, Northwest Woods and the Farmington area as well as several other neighborhoods are unfortunately all too familiar with this scenario. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this proposal, at its last meeting and the BOC will consider it at its next meeting on May 1. Following is the text of a message from Lee Becker with more information about the rezone and the Planning Commission hearing. Come to the May 1 hearing and support the folks along Daniels Bridge Road. If you live in a neighborhood where this has not happened, you are lucky, but your time is coming. If you have already experienced it you know it takes a lot of citizen input to be heard. Charlie Baugh Dear Neighbors: The Planning Commission ...

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc. P. O. Box 1301 Watkinsville, GA 30677 Citizens Shortly after the Board of Commissioners vote on the grossly expensive reservoir project with Walton County I sent an e mail with the results and a promise for further information after having time to think about it for a while. Here is what I think about it. The voting majority of this Board made up of Davis, Norris and Luke is on a mission to fully develop this county no matter what the cost to quality of life for current residents. There is no way to change this policy without changing 3 votes. There is on {I think he meant no, although it could be one} way to change 3 votes without changing Davis, Norris and Luke for three with a more balanced policy. The current development policy will eventually directly impact every one of the 30,000 who live here now. It will do no good to fight each rezone proposal as long as the county "economic development" policy is to promote more ...

WE DID IT!!! The BOC voted unanimously to deny the rezone request by Francis Williams to develop a convenience store and gas station at the corner of Branch Road and US441. After 15 months, three different plans, two withdrawals by Mr. Williams, and two denials by the Planning Commission, the BOC finally got to hear the issue. I am very proud of all of us, with a particular pat on the back to Paul Poninski. Paul spearheaded a petition drive that resulted in 205 signatures of individuals who did not want to see this type of development in south Oconee. Paul presented the petition signatures to the BOC, which clearly got their attention. Overall approximately 20 people signed up to speak against the rezone. We provided them with our own personal assessments, data on traffic and fire hazards, and even statements from the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Planning Staff Report that clearly supported our position. In other words, we made a thorough and strong case for denial. I knew ...

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc. P. O. Box 1301 Watkinsville, GA 30677 This is a reminder that the BOC will probably vote on the water reservoir at tomorrow nights meeting. It is the first item on the agenda. I know many of you have called, written and emailed the Board on this issue. Many also attended the 2 meetings at which the issue was discussed. Please do it one more time. The Commissioners should be looking at a full house when they vote. I have sent a great deal of information on the issue and the alternatives so I won't recount those now. I am including the text of a letter that was printed in the Banner Herald on the 26th written by Jerry Studdard that summarizes the issues quite nicely. Please turn out one more time. Charles Baugh The Athens Banner-Herald http://onlineathens.com/stories/022607/letters_20070226002.shtml . February 26, 2007 LETTERS . Jerry Studdard: Major questions linger on Oconee water issue ....

As expected the water issue is on the agenda for the Board's 2/27 meeting. There are several issues around this decision that have not been adequately worked and resolved. Less costly alternatives, inflated population estimates, and lack of an intergovernmental agreement are most important. Once again call, email or have a direct conversation with as many Board members as you can before the 27th. Plan to be there for the meeting. The vote is number one on the agenda. The Board needs to be looking at a standing room only crowd when they vote. The agenda follows this message. Charles Baugh AGENDA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF OCONEE COUNTY, GEORGIA Tuesday, February 27, 2007 Commission Meeting Chambers Oconee County Courthouse 7:00 p.m. 1. Consider future water sources for Oconee County. 2. Consider approval of Comprehensive Plan Community Assessment. (Wayne Provost) 3. Consider approval of Community Partici...

Dear Concerned Citizens, I hold everyone's email addresses with the greatest of reserve and use them only to advise you of an up coming educational program being offered by OCRG or an issue I find to be of utmost importance to us all. It is this reason that I am forwarding to all of you the following email I received. Until I read the following argument, I felt the only argument for not being in favor of the Hard Labor Creek reservoir was the desire to contain growth. Though this is an argument many of us make it is an argument that has proven futile. The following letter from Mr. Tal Thompson a citizen of Walton County is an argument we all need to be aware of. I will be following this email with a second email from Mr. Thompson containing a letter from Mr Charles Jones the former CEO of Oconee County's consulting firm JJ&G. Please take the time to read these emails and come to the Commission Meeting this Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm in the Court House. Mary Mellein p...