Oconee County, GA Politics

Hello! Back in April we had to postpone the “Walk and Talk with a Scientist” event because of threatening weather.  Even though I tried to get the word out that we had to cancel, earnest scientists and members of the public popped up like mushrooms! We ended up having some wonderful conversations while walking in the drizzling rain and gathered under the pavilion. See a photo below of some of the people who came . One young person who attended was a student from North Oconee High. I hope students interested in STEM careers and interested in the world around them will join us — and you folks, too! I’ve invited our county commissioners and other elected officials such as Jody Hice.  We will need to be nonpartisan at the event to protect scientists, all of whom must set politics aside as they do the rigorous work of science. Please help me get the word out to scientists and the public.  Here’s the press release below for this free, drop-...

Dear fellow Democrats, I wanted to be sure you know about an event in Oconee County this coming Sunday that is  a celebration of science at a time when the nation’s scientists are working in an increasingly hostile environment. The Oconee Democrats have organized the  event — called “Walk and Talk with a Scientist” — for  April 23rd  at  Herman C. Michael Park  to provide scientists a chance to chat with the public about their vital and interesting work. We have people from UGA, the EPA, US Fish and Wildlife, the USDA, the University of North Georgia, and elsewhere —— geologists, botanists, and researchers specializing in poultry science, water toxicology, coral reefs, endangered species, cancer detection, and much more. This free, drop-in event will take place   from 3 to 5 around a  trail that loops about one-third of a mile around a pond. The path is good for baby strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers. ...

Changing the dates and registration times at the last second (relatively speaking) is not the best way to start a Select Football team, but I understand the necessity with the conflict with the Little League tournament. We were first in line to get equipment Friday evening at Herman C. Michael Park.  I hope Trevor and the gang have state championship level teams, and I do wish the OCYFL team would merge for this team if nothing else. Sincerely,  Dan Matthews From: tross@oconee.ga.us To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Fri, 18 May 2012 13:56:34 -0700 Subject: Select Football League Tryout Date Change! Due to the recent schedule changes to the Little League end of season games and post season tournaments, there is a direct conflict for all Little League players to attend the Select Football tryouts.  Given the importance of a thorough evaluation, we have moved the tryouts to Tuesday May 29 th and Thursday May  31 st at 6:30 at Oconee Veter...

I will be taking my son there this afternoon - back to Herman C. where I pushed a broom from 1989 to 1994. Sincerely,  Dan Matthews From: tlathrup@oconee.ga.us Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:06:47 -0500 Subject: Basketball Academy moved to Herman C. Michael Park Gym 12/11 & 12/18 Parents- This is a reminder that due to floor maintenance work at the Veterans Park Gym—the Basketball Academy program has been moved to the Herman C. Michael Park gym for Sunday, December 11 and Sunday, December 18. The schedule time will remain from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Each child enrolled in the Academy will receive a basketball and jersey. These will be distributed on Sunday, December 18. Typically—all girls and boys under the age of 13 play with the 28.5" intermediate size ball while boys 13 and over play with the 29.5" official size ball. Since the basketballs we have ordered are of high quality and should last your child a few years---we wanted to give the boys who are in the 11 to 12 age g...

OK, so here is the background on this, in case anyone wonders.  Yes, once upon a time I was the gym supervisor of the John T. Brannen Building of Herman C. Michael Park in Oconee County, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I pushed a broom around the court and checked people's IDs to make sure they were not coming in from Athens-Clarke (or Morgan or Madison or Oglethorpe as people would travel for new courts). We would often see the Carlos Strong - Terrell Bell Cedar Shoals McDonald's All American types to come in and politely slam on our then pristine new indoor courts. Carlos now has a Sunday basketball academy across the street. Outside even then there was a crumbling court adjacent to the big indoor building. The double rims were unfriendly and the court was poorly marked.  There are crack marks, pock marks, peeled paint and general disrepair and maybe even some grass or weeds growing in the gaps. People barely played there back in the day, and I think it is even mor...

Help the Hoops court of Herman C. Michael Park near Eastville get even better than it once was with your computer. Here is something we can all get behind - the aged basketball courts need our help to get repairs thanks to LeBron James and Sprite. The courts are about 20 years past their prime. There are lots of crumbly edges and cracks in the cement. We can really use your vote on this one. Please help the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department win this award and help Oconee County get an improved outdoor basketball court without those painful outdoor unfriendly double rims. $35K goes a long way to helping our kids play a whole lot better basketball. How 'bout it? Sincerely,  Dan Matthews man From: wbyce@oconee.ga.us To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 10:04:18 -0700 Subject: Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department Needs Your Vote! # # # An Assist From Sprite Could Help Oconee County Parks & Recreation Department's Herman C. Michael Park...

Go Whitney Go! Woven brightly,  Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: wbyce@oconee.ga.us Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:27:01 -0700 Subject: Summer Registration Going on Now! Summer Registration is going on now.  We are excited to offer many opportunities this summer. For the Kids: Summer Day Camp - The Rec Reality Summer, Teen Extreme Day Camp, All Sports Camp, Basketball, Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Strength Speed and Agility, Volleyball and Zany Sports Camps. Start Smart Sports Developmental Program and Start Smart Golf! For the Adults: ZUMBA and Yoga Special Events - Mark your calendar now. May 7 - May Day Madness IV Disc Golf Tournament at the "HERM" May 14 - 7th Annual Movie in the Park at Oconee Veterans Park For more information call 706-769-3965 or visit  www.oconeecounty.com to link to the Parks and Rec site! Get Out and Get Active Oconee! Oconee Veterans Park 3500A Hog Mountain Road Watkinsville, GA ...

For some of us the day of signing up for summer camp is one of the more difficult days with converging schedules and sports and vacation plans, and in most years the crowds start lining up extra early in Oconee County Recreation Department to try to get their kids' names registered and in line to be enrolled in the least expensive summer activities in the area. Folks usually start arriving around sunrise with lawn chairs to make sure they have a place for their kids during the summer school break. Summer Day Camp registration is 8:00 am Monday, April 19th, 2010 at the John T. Brannen building of the Herman C. Michael Park. The cost is $90.00/week with a $30.00 deposit due at Registration. For more information you can call 706-769-3965. They seem to still have space in the usually crowded after school program at $65.00 a week which I cannot vouch from personal experience for but I am sure is equally well run and safe for our kids. And if you want to see Cloudy with a Chance ...

Be patient with parking, access and egress at Oconee Veterans Park and the neighboring Herman C. Michael park tonight and most week nights for the next month and a half or so. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: tlathrup@oconee.ga.us To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:22:22 -0700 Subject: 2009 Fall Activities Greetings, Receipt of this e-mail indicates you are a parent of one of the approximately 1250 kids involved in one of the seven OCPRD fall 2009 youth programs. We sincerely hope that not only your childrens, but your whole family's experience this season will be rewarding and fun. With such a large number of children and families involved in fall activities it can make for some busy practice and game days often filling our parks to capacity. Add in over 400 kids from Oconee County Little League and the Oconee Futbol League soccer group who also utilize our fields and it is easy to see how gym and field space become quickly limited. Today mar...

Just an update for you Oconee County soccer enthusiasts - not surprising considering we had three inches of rain yesterday. Just in time for our new watering regualtions, too. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:06:58 -0400 Subject: Fields Closed for Thursday Attention Coaches & Officials:   ·          All OVP, BSC,  & HCM fields are closed for activities for Thursday October 9 th .   ·          The Inclement Weather Hotline (IWC) has been updated.   ·          Tennis has not yet been cancelled. An update will be made on Tennis around 2:30pm   ·          U12 & U14 Soccer Games scheduled for tonight will be moved to Thursday October 23 rd .  The times and locations will remain the same.   ·     ...