Oconee County, GA Politics

So Tom Chasteen wants to kick everyone out of the bars at precisely 2 am. I guess old Tom has not seen the situation at that hour every night. People need time to sober up or arrange rides if they are too drunk to drive. Forcing them out the door, or suggesting that they do, might force Tom Chasteen out of a runoff election between incumbent Heidi Davison and quasi-Republican non-stealth candidate Charlie Maddox. I wish Andy Rusk would make this race more interesting with a concrete platform of reform and change. Does anyone know if there were any non-incumbent filings of candidacies in the Watkinsville city council race?

The man who sees absolutes, where all other men see nuances and shades of meaning, is either a prophet, or a quack. Donald H. Rumsfeld is not a prophet. Mr. Rumsfeld’s remarkable speech to the American Legion yesterday demands the deep analysis—and the sober contemplation—of every American. For it did not merely serve to impugn the morality or intelligence -- indeed, the loyalty -- of the majority of Americans who oppose the transient occupants of the highest offices in the land. Worse, still, it credits those same transient occupants -- our employees -- with a total omniscience; a total omniscience which neither common sense, nor this administration’s track record at home or abroad, suggests they deserve. Dissent and disagreement with government is the life’s blood of human freedom; and not merely because it is the first roadblock against the kind of tyranny the men Mr. Rumsfeld likes to think of as “his” troops still fight, this very evening, in Iraq. It is also essential. Because ju...

Perdue invests close to home Governor appears to ignore his rationale in Florida deal By JAMES SALZER The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 09/02/06 Gov. Sonny Perdue bought about 100 acres next to his Houston County home in 2004 even though he has since expressed reluctance about buying land in Georgia while in office because critics would assail him over potential conflicts of interest. Perdue said last month that he bought $2 million of Florida land near Disney World in late 2004 after concluding that it wouldn't be a good idea for him to buy land in Georgia because critics would question any political decisions that could be seen as enhancing the value of any land he owned. Gov. Sonny Perdue paid $2 million for about 20 acres of wooded and swampy land south of Orlando. The land is just outside Reunion Resort & Club, which is still being developed. "If I bought land within 100 miles of a new road construction, I'd be accused by the other side of influenc...

C'mon folks, we have some books to send to the kids in New Orleans. Democrats.org has a post called " CDF Katrina Project Needs Books " that's worth checking out... The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Katrina Project partners with community based organizations, service agencies and universities in the Cleveland, Columbia and Jackson, MS areas to provide after-school programming each day public schools are in session for children in families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

I can not think of a better way to commemorate the anniversary of Katrina by battling against Republican corruption, cronyism and incompetence. State Representative Bob Smith is already playing the gay card in trying scare up redneck homophobic frenzy and furor against Becky Vaughn. Instead, go check out her new website http://www.beckyvaughn.org or go to this meeting or perhaps the Doug McKillip fundraiser at the Taylor-Grady House 5 to 7 Tuesday evening featuring former Governor Roy Barnes. Your Organizer, Jacob Cole, sent the following message to the members of The Athens Democratic Party Meetup Group: I'd just like to remind everyone that the first meeting of the Athens Democratic Party Meetup Group is tomorrow, 7:30 PM at Borders Books & Music on Alps Rd. If you can make it, we'd love to see you there. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To visit The Athens Democratic Party Meetup Group, go here: http://democrat.meetup.com/1015/ Just a qui...

Dear Friends, We are out of the gate and working hard to offer a real choice in District 113 and make a change to representation that matches the values of this great community! To those of you who have already offered support--both financial and emotional, I am honored to have your confidence. For those of you I haven't heard from or spoken with, it's never too late.... Mark your calendar and come by to help us celebrate a Vaughn Voice for District 113. Sunday, August 27 from 6:00-8:00 pm 1030 Meriweather Drive--Jennings Mill, turn in off Jimmy Daniel Rd. between Atlanta Highway (Sam's) and Hwy 316. We are the second house on the right. Think of it as a "Campaign Fair". Socialize and network with others who want to see a positive change in our representation. Look over the opportunities to be involved and find the perfect fit for you and your time. Sign up to * be listed on the Committee to Elect Becky Vaughn * host or find hosts for a neighborhood p...

The recent passing of a pouring license in Watkinsville will not have as adverse effect on the county seat of Oconee as some may lead you to believe. I think it will help the business of Gautreau's, Maison Bleu and Girasoles, but I wonder about next year's concert series at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast. They will not fall into a lot of the criteria needed to serve beer and wine, at least not as it is presently written. Maybe Jim, Dave and Mario do not want to have that in effect there. We shall see

This one is not co-sponsored by the Oconee County Democratic Committee, but City Council member Brian Brodrick asked me to post this, so I did: Dan: There is a Harris Shoals park clean up Saturday morning from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Can you send out to your lists? Brian

I was not at the party where Oconee County's former information technology person allegedly assaulted another person , but I do know this. She had the crap beat out her by this person and he is guilty of stupidity if nothing else (for returning to the party without his wife shows a certain degree of premeditation). The victim in this case does not even prefer the male gender as her primary preference. This does not automatically mean he is guilty, but at least he is no longer employed by Oconee County.

Hey! The campaign continues to move forward at a great pace, but we still have a lot of work to do! We need your help! We have great opportunities coming up, so please look at the message below and then call or email us back so we can sign you up... Saturday Morning Canvass Door-to-Door Meet at Publix - Butler Crossing Parking Lot near the Cingular Wireless store 2061 Experiment Station Road Watkinsville, GA 30677 9:30am-12:00pm We have had a lot of success going door-to-door delivering our message to the voters and we are making a big impact. However, the more volunteers we get out into the community the faster our message spreads and the bigger the impact. Also, we need help in the office Monday through Friday with our phone banks. We have six phone lines set and ready to be used every day and tomorrow (Friday) as well as all next week we will be calling and Identifying voters in all three counties, and especially IDing voters who pulled democratic ballots in the primary. Cal...

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc. P. O. Box 1301 Watkinsville, GA 30677 Following is a message from Lee Becker, Friends of Barber Creek with information on the County's application to dump treated waste water into Barber Creek. It will be important that a public hearing be held on the application to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to learn more about this and to ensure that the county government hears citizen concerns. Citizens will be in a better position to hold the Board responsible when the time comes. Charles Baugh President Dear Friends, The Oconee County request to be allowed to dump 1.0 Million Gallons Per Day of treated wastewater from an expanded Rocky Branch Waste Treatment Plant into Barber Creek is now up for review before the state Environment Protection Division. Please write to the EPD and ask for a hearing. Reference Permit No. GA0038806. Here is the address: Linda MacGregor, Branch Chief Water Protection Branch Georgia Department of Natura...

MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE August 9, 2006 PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh, Walter and City Attorney Reitman. VISITORS: See attached sheet. QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. Mayor Luken also asks those with non-emergency cell phones to turn them off or down. All speakers are asked to approach the lectern and address Council. WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD: Councilwoman Samantha Purcell announced Doris & Gene Thornton of 11 Bunny Hop Trail as receiving the Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award for the month of August. The selection was made by Jittery Joes. The Thorntons were not present. MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Brodrick seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2006 Called Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Walsh moved and Councilwoman Purcell seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2006 Coun...

By a 4-to-1 vote, the Watkinsville City Council passed the beer and wine control restaurant pouring ordinance Wednesday evening. Managers have to be 25 years old and the eateries have to seat at least 50 people on the inside. The ordinance will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2007.

Outside of the Eckerd's at Butler's Crossing. He looked sad and lonely. I waved and he waved back. Sorry no one I know is voting for you

Might be some beer and wine rumblings for restaurants in Watkinsville and Oconee County in the not too distant future.....see #2 on old business. AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE August 9, 2006 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Jaimee Dean – business license – Mary Lou’s Garden – 10C Barnett Shoals Road 2. Flo Wilkes – demolition permit – existing building @ Greensboro Highway 3. Ted Evans – building permit – 55’x130’ steel building @ 50 Greensboro Highway ADMINISTRATION 1. Reconciliation Report (June 30, 2006) MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS 1. Bicentennial Reports 2. Consider Beer & Wine Ordinance NEW BUSINESS 1. Possibly consider new storm water engineer. 2. Consider moratorium on construction in downtown Watkinsville and consider expansion of the downtown area. ADJOURN

Athens Banner-Herald's Oconee County beat reporter Juliana Merritt Melancon wants to talk to some people from the south end of Oconee County to ask them various questions, some of which you will get a clue about below. If you are from Bishop on south, please call her if you can. Here is her plea. Thank you very much from the both of us. Hello Oconee County Residents, This is Merritt Melancon from the Athens Banner Herald . I’m one of the writers here who covers Oconee County for our paper, and I could use your help. I’m working on an article about families who live in the more rural southern half of the county, and families who live in the more suburban northern half of the county. It’s about how they’re similar and how they are different. What services each group expects from the county and what services they use? How they picture the county in 10 years? How involved are they in the workings of the county government? Why they live in the county and how they identify themselves w...

The Oconee County Democratic Committee cobbled together a couple of letters thanking voters for selecting the Democratic side in the recent primary. We mined and stiched together various databases to retrieve the names of those who voted on the Democratic side for both this election and the most recent. We realize people cross over for various reasons and I suspect this person might have done so for her own personal decision. We respect that so I wanted to remove her name. But here is the email exchange I went through with her: Mr. Matthews, My husband and I recevied a letter from the Democrat party recently. We have also received numerous phone calls from Democrat candiates asking us to vote for them. These calls are recorded calls and do not give any information on what the candidate stands for. I want to know who you got our personal information from. To me this is an invasion of my privacy and I DO NOT want to receive any more calls from your candidates. You can respond to thi...

I am supporting Jim Martin in the Democratic run-off for Lieutenant Governor on August 8, and I hope you will too. In the race for Lieutenant Governor, only Jim Martin has the experience we need to bring down healthcare costs, bring good-paying jobs to Georgia, and increase student achievement. Jim served for 18 years in the state House, was an active member of the Democratic leadership, and passed more than 60 laws that improve the lives of Georgians every day. He also led the Department of Human Resources under two governors. Jim is respected statewide as an advocate for children, senior citizens, and families. No candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor has a comparable record of accomplishment or shares our values more than Jim Martin. That is why Jim has been endorsed by Mayor Shirley Franklin, Ambassador Andrew Young, Governor Roy Barnes, the Georgia Association of Educators, and leaders from across the state. I ask you to join me in voting for Jim on August 8. To learn more...

Just picked up the first issue of the new weekly newspaper and was very impressed with the initial edition. Any time there is competition for local news everyone benefits (although I know a certain General Manager who might disagree with me). The 24 page tabloid is colorful and printed well. It reminds me of a top notch college newspaper printed well in Monroe. The logo is kind of off balance or off kilter a bit, and I would suggest making it about an inch and a half wider on the left and less curved. I know Rob Peecher from our days together in Eatonton at the Messenger and he will put out a quality product. It is a tad too gray on some of the inside pages - page 3 could have used a photo, but considering the start-up from near zero, they have exceeded expectations in a short time. Rob wrote almost every news story and feature, and he can't possibly expect to continue that load. The autism feature was interesting but read more like a magazine story, but I would well imagine he had...