Oconee County, GA Politics

I am hoping some intrepid reader of this blog might have miraculously taped the infamous appearance of Charlie Norwood at the Greene County Farm Bureau a week or so back where he ostensibly said "Some of the Republicans aren't worth taking out back behind the barn and being shot" and "All of the Democrats aren't worth being shot" over their views about immigration. If you heard him there, or taped it, call me ASAP at 706-769-1131. I am trying to get a website called congresspedia (like wikipedia only for members of congress) to put it in their file for all of humanity to see on the website. I need corroboration people!

I did not make this one, but here is the unpassed nor approved minutes of the Watkinsville City Council meeting: MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE September 13, 2006 PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh and Walter. 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 The Thomas’ of Simonton Bridge Road as receiving the Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award for the month of September. The selection was made by The Big Easy Cafe. MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2006 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. JEFF HARGENS: Councilman Walter moved and Councilman Link second...

If anyone wishes to use this blog to announce their candidacy, by all means please do so. Here is Merritt's story on the council vacancy and special election moving across the street. Why they can't do it in the same place is beyond me. Council election planned Bishop By Merritt Melancon | juliana.melancon@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:32 AM on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 The city council of the tiny Oconee County town of Bishop has decided to fill its long-vacant fifth council seat after the town's attorney advised that it probably is the right thing to do. The City of Bishop will hold a special election to fill Post 1 of the Bishop City Council on Nov. 7 at the Bishop City Hall across from the Bishop Community Center on U.S. Highway 441. Candidates who wish to be on the ballot can pay a $5 qualifying fee and register at the Oconee County Board of Elections Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until noon Wednesday. The city cou...

Below I’m including some recent comments that Gary Noffke would like shared with the whole group. If you have a response you’d like to share with the group, send your comments to me. Otherwise provide feedback directly to Gary (garynoffke@bellsouth.net). His primary concern is with potential loopholes in the recently passed stormwater ordinance that may allow for MORE development in rural Oconee. Two sections of the stormwater ordinance that Gary references are: D. Stormwater Management in the Non-Urbanized Area Section 6 of this ordinance shall apply to areas not within the area of the County regulated under the NPDES Stormwater Phase II Permit in the following circumstances: any residential development containing lot sizes of three (3) acres or less and having five (5) or more lots, all non-residential development, any development with size, configuration, and/or density that would lend itself to be considered an urbanized area, or if the site is designated a hotspot for stormwa...

Greetings! We just wanted to let you know that we are hosting a fundraiser for Terry Holley on Wednesday, September 20, (tomorrow) from 6-8 p.m. at our house in Carlton. Terry is running for Congress against Republican incumbent Charlie Norwood, and this is a great opportunity to meet him and ask questions. Drinks and barbecue are being provided--please bring a potluck dish, and a friend. Thanks, Chip and Dena Chandler 706-797-3501

Evening everyone, Both rezone requests (west 295 acres and east 70 acres) were approved by the Planning Commission. The vote was 6 to 2 for both. The Planning Commission did some arm twisting on the Plum Creek developer and forced a change in the minimum square footage for the houses. The developer had in mind an “empty nest” market that would desire high quality but smaller homes (minimum of 1800 sq ft). However, since other recently approved developments in the area are targeting larger homes, the PC forced a change in the minimum to 2400 sq ft. Keep in mind that the Chair of the Planning Commission (Dan Arnold) is a partner in ALP Development, which recently got a rezone for a residential development on the adjacent property. I got the feeling that some members of the commission didn’t like the idea of the previously approved McMansions being under priced by a similar development next door that would have less expensive homes. The hope for conservation of this land is not d...

Becky Vaughn rescheduled her meet-and-greet with Cathy Cox at Girasoles She is having a party tonight - MONDAY EVENING - to send out invitations for it. Please adjust your calendars and join other Becky supporters on Wednesday, September 27 from 6-8 at Girasoles in Watkinsville. Please invite anyone who might be interested in a positive change for District 113! Also, if you are available on Monday (9/18/06) evening from 6:30-8:30, come by my house (1030 Meriweather Dr.) You can stuff yourself with pizza and wings while stuffing envelopes for the fundraiser. Let us know if you?re coming so that we're sure to have enough. Give us whatever time your have! Call for info or directions ? 706.540.9724

I apologize for sending this on such short notice. Two related rezone requests for adjacent tracts of land along US441 and the Apalachee River are on the agenda for tonight’s Planning Commission meeting. Plum Creek Timberlands (http://www.plumcreek.com) is a large timber company that claims to be the largest private landowner in the nation, and they are seeking two rezone requests, both from A-1 (agricultural) to AR-5 (agricultural-residential with minimum 5 acre lots). The western tract of land is 295 acres with frontage on the Apalachee. The eastern tract is 70 acres and no frontage on the river. The Oconee County Planning Department has recommended approval of both requests. It is worth noting that the county Fire Department has concerns due to the lack of water for fire protection. Keep in mind there is no infrastructure in this part of the county. Septic systems and private wells will be needed for each of the 66 proposed homes. The anticipated price for homes will be $35...

Democrats must get angry, motivated and organized in their advertising, GOTV and other efforts in order to win at all levels. If the convention in College Park proved anything yesterday, it is that the Georgia Democratic Party needs an influx of new leadership from the top on down and it saw the first glimpses of it yesterday. The only state level candidates I saw glad handing folks and firing up the choir were Tommy Irvin and Michael Thurmond, although everyone else showed up later. The Georgia party $$$$ need to flow to the candidates earlier. We need to point out what the Republicans and Sonny didn't do or did poorly and we need it on the airwaves six times daily yesterday. Call it negative advertising if you will, but the Democrats are not going to take back over this state without it. We need to accentuate our positive solutions in the final 14 seconds or last half of a 28 second ad. We need to sponsor talk radio shows in our communities to counter all the negative bullshit sp...

At two meetings of municipal councils last week, sprawl won and rural charm took it on the chin. Here are a couple of photos. Above is several shots of developer Jon Williams asking Bishop to annex 30 acres into the city limits, ( DON'T FORGET BISHOP TOWN SUPPER COMING UP MONDAY, OCT. 9th I think} and at the very top is North High Shoals town council learning about Bella Rosa subdivision encroaching on a working farm. Violet Dawe's husband Donald was purged from the Planning Commission after suing the city for the subdivision.

Tony Glenn reports that Lee Becker led him know we are going to have some hearings here about the wastewater discharge in Barber creek. Read on Evening everyone. Good news from Lee Becker regarding the letter campaign for a public hearing on wastewater discharge into Barber Creek. Initial indications are that the number of letters was sufficient. Thanks to all who wrote! Cheers, Tony -----Original Message----- From: lbbecker@mindspring.com [mailto:lbbecker@mindspring.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 10:22 PM Subject: Good News Dear Friends, By my count, we sent 50 letters to the EPD asking for a public hearing on the Oconee County request to begin discharging treated wastewater from its Rocky Branch sewage plant into Barber Creek. I suspect the final total was higher, as some people who promised they were writing have not yet confirmed they did so. I'm optimistic we'll get a hearing. The letters came from people directly affected by the plans and from people c...

By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer 14 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, accused the Bush administration of pursuing a "cut and run" strategy in Afghanistan that has emboldened terrorists and made the U.S. less safe. ADVERTISEMENT "The administration's Afghanistan policy defines cut and run," Kerry said in remarks at Howard University on Thursday. "Cut and run while the Taliban-led insurgency is running amok across entire regions of the country. Cut and run while Osama bin Laden and his henchmen hide and plot in a lawless no-man's land." Kerry's "cut and run" accusation echoes criticism Republicans have leveled at Democrats who have challenged Bush's handling of the Iraq war. A potential 2008 presidential candidate, Kerry lashed out at the administration on the same day the White House announced meetings later this month with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan....

Maybe our friend Brian Brodrick can fill us in, here is the agenda anyhow. Merritt was supposed to cover this for me.... CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Jeff Hargens – business license – Pioneer Building – 59 Dooley Street 2. Pamela Pontenberg – business license – Ladybug Designs – 239 Concord Drive 3. Nathan Mende – business license – NPR Ducati / Boxerworks – 1461 Greensboro Highway 4. Martha Howard – business license – Nan’s Country Kitchen – 42 Greensboro Highway ADMINISTRATION 1. Reconciliation Report (July 31, 2006) MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS 1. Bicentennial Reports 2. Stormwater Consultant Selection. – Samantha Purcell 3. Concept Plan & Future Land Use Map. – Brian Brodrick NEW BUSINESS EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Potential litigation ADJOURN

Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter. All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers. And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors. I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal. And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President. However, of all the things those of...

Georgia Races May Threaten Democrats' Struggle for Power Two congressmen face well-known opponents whose bids are aided by GOP redistricting. By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer September 10, 2006 ATLANTA — Riding a wave of discontent over the economy, Iraq and gas prices, Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to retake the House of Representatives this November. But their success could also hinge on their ability to keep the seats they already have — and doing so could prove difficult in two key races in Georgia. Democratic U.S. Reps. Jim Marshall of Macon and John Barrow of Savannah are facing hearty challenges from a pair of former Republican congressmen with name recognition and the ability to raise big money. Bolstering their chances are new district boundaries drawn up by the first GOP-dominated Georgia Legislature since Reconstruction. ADVERTISEMENT Click here to find out more! The outcome of the races could have broad national implications. The Democratic Party needs ...

By Ruth Bracewell June 1, 2006 Anybody remember the “Contract With America”? This was the brainchild political strategy engineered in 1994 by Newt Gingrich which resulted in the Republican takeover of the U. S. House of Representatives. Over 300 Republican congressmen or congressional candidates, including our congressman, Charlie Norwood, signed this “contract” with the American public, promising what they would do if they were elected. One important section was entitled the Citizen Legislature Act, which stated that all congressmen would serve a maximum of 12 years in Congress and then return home to allow other “citizen” legislators to take their places, thereby ridding Congress of what appeared to be “lifetime appoint-ments” for career politicians. Those 12 years expire this year. According to the contract which all those Republicans literally signed in 1994, we should be seeing a mass retirement of Republican congress-men this year, with hundreds of new names and faces run-ning t...

Herman Cain exemplifies the septic partisan infection that is resulting in the slow decay of all that is civil about our society. Herman Cain is disingenuous. Herman Cain, the former CEO of a deflated pizza company that is now only a shadow of the business it once was, referred to members of the Democratic Party as “Hezbocrats” in his last column. The basis for this childish name-calling is simply because he disagrees with their policies and approaches. In Herman Cain’s mind, those who disagree with his views are relegated to the ranks of terrorists. It’s no wonder that he is a “former” CEO of a corporation, as well as a failed politician and statesman. Herman Cain should step up the podium and acknowledge the real reasoning behind his attack on Democratic Party members. While Herman Cain attempted to chastise some Democrats for their criticism of Wal-Mart and its employment practices, he should have acknowledged his own role in this debate. Herman Cain is a member of a hired a...

Goergia Republican Congressman Charlie Norwood told an audience at the Greene County Farm Bureau meeting last week that "Democrats should be taken out behind the barn and shot." Norwood's statement concerns me on any number of levels, the least of which is his sanity or why he is not immediately incarcerated (or at least indicted). This type of dangerous and reckless statement deserves censure on the floor of the US House of Representatives. Norwood not only does'ot deserve re-election, but he needs to be servesd scorn and ridicule on every measure, Republican and Democrat. Let's see how big a media storm this comment can cause, because surely in this day and age advocating political assasination is still a crime and evidence of a cruel and despicable despot in Congress. The dentist needs to be retired. Let's elect someone we can be proud of in R. Terry Holley.

Congressional candidate R. Terry Holley will be attending the regularly scheduled monthly Oconee County Democratic committee meeting 7 pm Thursday, September 7 in the Board of Commissioners chambers of the Oconee County Courthouse at 23 N. Main Street in Watkinsville, offering positive alternatives for Northeast Georgia from the usual Republican negativity, cronyism, corruption and balderdash. 23-year-old Georgia Democratic Party committee members Tahir Duckett will be attending as well, as will State Senate candidate Jane Kidd and State Representative candidate Becky Vaughn. All are welcome to attend regardless of affiliation or geographic residency. For more information, please contact Dan Matthews at 706-769-1131 or check out http://www.oconeedemocrats.org

Contact: Martin Matheny 706-461-0439 press@macrawson.com Rawson to hold campaign rally and barbecue Barnes to join State Senate Candidate in Winterville Winterville, GA – Mac Rawson, Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 47th District will be hosting an “ol’ Fashioned Rally and Barbecue” at Pittard Park, near the Winterville depot on Thursday, September 14. Rawson will be joined by former Governor Roy Barnes and other local and state political figures. The rally and barbecue begins at 6:00 pm and features food from Zeb’s barbecue in Madison County. The event will be family friendly, and everyone is encouraged to attend. Admission is $10.00, which includes the barbecue. “This is a great opportunity to get out and take my message directly to the voters,” Rawson said. “I think we’re all going to have a great time, and I promise that we’ll keep the speeches short.” For more information, contact the Rawson for State Senate campaign at 706-543-...