Oconee County, GA Politics

State superintendent candidates tout more money for schools, less standardized testing Eight candidates for state school superintendent tried to win votes in Clarke County Wednesday night — all six Democratic candidates and two of the nine Republicans running. Only two candidates from each party can make a runoff election, which is likely in both races. With so many candidates on the stage in the Athens-Clarke County Library auditorium, none had a chance to present more than a little of their platforms. But each tried to address key points, or got to answer a panelist’s pointed question. Democrat Denise Freeman called for re-funding state public education after many years of de-funding. “If we can spend $35,000 to house a prisoner, we should able to be able to spend whatever we need to ensure the future of education,” Freeman said. Traffic kept some candidates from arriving on time, but the throng of six Democrats and two Republi...

Even though I may not agree with their politics, I like to go and introduce myself to most candidates who won't try to punch my pick-up truck. So last night I saw a relatively youthful looking Dr. Paul Broun in a red polo shirt and straw hat, age 61, at the Athens Academy spring scrimmage football game and BBQ. We argued and turned heads in the relatively small and predominantly Republican crowd about the possibility of a Democrat winning. Dr. Broun told me that Democrats have no chance, and I told him that Democrats do have a chance, especially if 35 Americans a week are getting slaughtered in Iraq through next month. He kind of ushered me away from the paltry crowd so as not to scorch the ears of the nearby Republican elite faithful. To his credit, Dr. Broun was very forthright, honest and compelling in his discussion, claiming various Democrats are going to vote for him. I am sure there are more than a handful of lifelong Democrats in the over 60 crowd locally that remembers ...

In a fundraiser for the historic female high school combined Athens Academy-North Oconee-Oconee County HS girls rugby team going to Nationals in Milwaukee, WI May 18-19-20, Sweet Retreat is giving away snowcones at the store in Town Center. Stop by and support your home girls and $how them your $upport.

Very quietly Lincoln County resident James Marlow has worked his way into the favorite status for the Democratic party in the supposedly non-partisan (not so) free-for-all10th Congressional District race for the June 19th special election to replace the late Dr. Charlie Norwood. Marlow was endorsed by most members at a meeting of the Democratic County Chairs (Oconee chair Becky Vaughn was not there, nor at the last meeting of the local committee) in Habersham County a few weeks ago. Laura Floyd of Oglethorpe County did make the meeting and ultimately supported the decision to back Marlow. "I thought the meeting was conducted in a serious and professional manner," said Floyd, chair of the Oglethorpe Democrats. "Six candidates made presentations and answered questions from the assembled county chairs." (13 of 21 counties were represented, with some guests in the room including former Secretary of State candidate Carol Jackson and Ag Commissioner Tommy Irvin). While ...

The five announced Democratic candidates for the 10th District US Congress special election in Georgia for Dr. Charlie Norwood's seat appeared before a packed house in the fourth floor of the Athens - Clarke County courthouse Thursday evening. People came from Oconee, Habersham, Madison and other counties as well. Denise Freeman found a new friend in me. This lady is incredibly impressive. She needs to visit white churches as much as possible between now and June 19th. She might surprise more than a few people. She has the most votes against Norwood in a previous election 2000. She lives in Lincolnton and knows the district well. She is a Baptist minister. She could be our Heath Shuler but more likely our Barack Obama. She resonates positive energy although she might be a little fuzzy on the wonky details of how she might tweak Charlie Norwood's now languishing patient bill of rights, at least according to Tim Bryant's talk show this morning on Newstalk 1340 WGAU AM Jim Ma...