Oconee County, GA Politics

Coaching soccer is a very rewarding way to give back to the community. I highly recommend it. I did it for three seasons and at this age, the kids respond well to running, having fun and kicking the ball all over the place. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 10:57:41 -0700 Subject: U8 Soccer Coaches Needed We are in need of (4) coaches for U8 Soccer.  If you are interested or know of someone willing to coach, please have them contact Jared Hightower at jhightower@oconee.ga.us or 706-769-3965.  Coaches training will be offered next Saturday, August 15 from Noon to 1:30 p.m.  Thank you! Jared Hightower Oconee Veterans Park 3500 Hog Mountain Road Watkinsville, GA 30677

This season I have been coaching my son in basketball at the Oconee County Recreation Department primarily at the John T. Brannen building's gymnasium of the Herman C. Michael park. We play two games at the slick rubberized floor of Malcolm Bridge Elementary School. If anyone wants to run for the Oconee County Board of Education on a "no more unsafe rubberized gymnasium floor" platform to perhaps replace David Weeks' slot now that he is running for Christine Franklin's chair slot (she is not seeking re-election), I will certainly support and endorse them. Previously I coached the oldest kids in the recreation department (15-16 year olds) and was popular enough to be picked to coach an all-star team to state where we were stomped at Fort Stewart about 15 years ago. Now I am coaching the youngest kids and have learned you cannot employ the same competitive techniques with the smaller children. The Oconee County Recreation Department has always been very good to me,...

Coaches, Now that our Under-6 and Under-8 Soccer seasons have ended, I wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all Micro Coaches from this Fall 2007 season. I must admit is was difficult to keep an eye on close to 60 Under-6 and Under-8 Soccer teams. But from what I saw it looked like all teams accomplished our main goal of the season, for the players, parents, and coaches to have fun! Whether it was teaching skills related to the game, or teaching the values of teamwork and sportsmanship, I hope you and your team enjoyed each other's company this season. The success of this soccer program is due in part to our volunteer coaches like yourself who do a wonderful job each season. Without the dedicated effort put forth by our volunteer coaches--the opportunity for the kids of our community to experience a few months of healthy fun and learning in an organized team environment would be difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate. Your commitment to your team, our program...

In a story much better written than the tripe I churned out for the Banana Herald editorial writer contest, the Oconee County Planning Commission recommended approval of the YWCO's massive plans for recreational expansion near Butler's Crossing. This is a very savvy move by the YWCO by shifting sites slowly and making sure they are doing things right as much as possible in both Oconee and Clarke counties. Obviously I am biased toward Oconee County, but I also realize the symbiotic relationship both counties have in more areas than just soccer and tennis. The comments of John Gentry, the head of the Oconee County Recreation Department, were very smart and well crafter and he is to be commended for running the department as well as it has been in quite some time. The YWCO offers a lot of choices in terms of sports and after school activities for kids and parents. In a slightly related matter, if you are available Sunday from 2 to 3 pm and want to enjoy some talented soccer b...