Oconee County, GA Politics

The Oconee County Democratic Committee has adopted a stretch of the Oconee Connector to call its own and have to respond by picking up the garbage dropped by others. Here are the particulars for those interested in helping them out: Oconee Dems Road Cleanup, 6/30/2007, 9:00 am Reminder from: oconee Yahoo! Group Title: Oconee Dems Road Cleanup Date: Saturday June 30, 2007 Time: 9:00 am - 9:00 am Location: Oconee Connector/Mars Hill between Hwy 316 & Brookwood Drive Phone: 706-353-8310 Notes: Meet/park at fire station on Oconee Connector just off Hwy 316; bring gloves; safety vests and bags will be provided!

Mike Cantone of the Georgia Democratic Party has urged a write-in vote campaign to register our already paltry presence in the polls. I would instead urge a stealth campaign to hold our noses and vote for Paul Broun. To point out the obvious, Broun is from this area. He is not a whining tire salesman from Augusta. Whitehead will implode in Washington. The former State Senator from the 24th district will probably win the July 17th run-off in a cake walk. I am still somewhat shocked at the buffoonery offered up by the Oconee County Republican party in their on-again, off-again endorsement of Whitehead. Not so much by the endorsement but the manner in which it was rushed to the media by Jay Hanley then revoked by the powers that be. Proxy calls are indeed a dangerous thing as that is how Becky Vaughn took back over the Democratic Party from yours truly. By law changes and the write in protest vote are part of the agenda for the 7:30 July 5 meeting at the Oconee County Courthouse unless it...

By now it has been on various news outlets and newspapers, but I thought our intrepid readers should have the opportunity to witness this parody themselves to make up their own minds. I have very little sympathy for either Paris Hilton, Sheriff Scott Berry or the makers of this video. I am glad she is released and hope she learns from her latest episode. I think Sheriff Berry by in large does a good job, but this is a blemish on his record and Oconee County as a whole. But I am all for freedom of speech and comedy. Social satire is a great method of political protest and commentary. I recognize the women from Junkman's Daughter's Brother with the glove who poses as a guard. Let me know what you think.

I am really steamed that Marlow did not make the run-off election without a little better effort in the surrounding counties (Oconee, Oglethorpe, Jackson) around Clarke. He should have been at every Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast concert, and I really don't think he came to the county once, although he told me himself he has. I certainly hope he makes up ground in the advance and absentee balloting, but somehow I do not think it is going to happen. I wish the Oconee County Democratic Committee had decided to make it a bigger priority to get a Democratic Congressional candidate in a run-off than have microphone using seminars and book clubs: no candidate greet and meets, no signs distributed, no Get Out the Vote efforts, no advertising, no calling, no campaigning or canvassing at all. Plenty of blame to go around on this Wednesday morning quarterbacking.

Party tonight at the Melting Point at the Foundry Park Inn in Athens off Thomas Street

nvestigation Uncovers ‘Extensive Destruction’ Of RNC Emails, Violations Of Records Act House investigators have learned that the Bush administration’s use of Republican National Committee email accounts is far greater than previously disclosed — 140,216 emails sent or received by Karl Rove alone — and that the RNC has overseen “extensive destruction” of many of the emails, including all email records for 51 White House officials. For the last several months, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been “investigating whether White House officials violated the Presidential Records Act” by using email accounts maintained by the RNC and the Bush-Cheney ‘04 campaign for official White House communications. Today’s findings confirm that the accounts were used “for official purposes, such as communicating with federal agencies about federal appointments and policies.” The report adds: Given the heavy reliance by White House officials on RNC e-mail accounts, the high rank ...

Monday, 6/18--James Marlow will hold a final press conference and rally at City Hall in Downtown Athens at 4:45 PM before Election Day. We would love to have a good crowd their to show our strength.

I am being unkind to Blake Aued. He has consistently nailed what is going on in this race in both his blog and stories in the Banner-Herald. Maybe this story was inside in today's Sunday or yesterday's Athens daily newspaper since this guy writes for the same company.

So I just got back from watching a speech by James Marlow outside of the Athens-Clarke County City Hall in lovely downtown Athens. Many Young Democrats held on to signs while Marlow spoke passionately about what he believe will be the best plan for the 10th Congressional District. Marlow was introduced by recently elected A/CC Commissioner Kelly Girtz. A small crowd kept passers-by curious and even a few shouted encouragement to Marlow. Among the people I knew there were former Mayor Gwen O'Looney, Kathy Kirbo and Al Davison. Marlow talked about an honorable end to the Iraqi war and energy independence sometime in the next five to 25 years. I snagged a few more signs to replace the several bent and torn in my yard by the neighborhood juveniles in my yard. If only these impressionable children would realize how much better their short term and long term future would be with a Democrat representing them, then they might reconsider their reprehensible behavior. I stapled and reinfor...

The special election for the Tenth District Congressperson is underway. You can vote early now through 5 PM on Friday, June 15, at the local Board of Elections office at 155 E. Washington Street. Remember to a photo ID with you regardless of when you vote. Election Day is Tuesday, June 19. Ten candidates are vying for this Congressional seat. Three of the candidates are Democrats – James Marlow, Evita Paschall, and Denise Freeman. The June 19 election is NOT a primary. The top two vote getters will be in the runoff on July 17 unless one candidate receives a majority of the votes. For a Democrat to be in the runoff, a Democratic candidate must be one of the top two vote getters, so it’s extremely important that ALL Democrats VOTE. If you need a ride to the polls, let me know (706-543-7390 or macrawson@charter.net) or contact Linda Lloyd, Director of the Economic Justice Coalition (706-202-0324 or 706-549-9368). MORE GOTV efforts! Our local Democrats have been asked to help with a G...

Subject: [CCDC_Exec] Marlow Press Conference James Marlow will have a press conference on the steps of city hall at noon on Thursday, June 14 to encourage people to vote early. I shall attend, and he invites everyone to be a part of the event. Please let other interested parties know about the event. Mac

You are invited to The 2nd Annual "For the People" Rally June 10, 2007 From 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville, GA. 301 Main Street SW Gainesville, GA 30503 Last years event, with hundreds in attendance, was a testament to the resolve of North Georgia Democrats, as we stood up to be counted and spotlighted the candidates that ran for office from around the state. In 2007, Georgia Democrats will make a statement by voting in a Democratic Presidential Preference Straw Poll. Each person in attendance, after hearing videos or speeches by the candidates or surrogates, will cast a vote for the presidential candidate of their choice. These results will be shared with local and national media following the event. It will be an early test of strength for the presidential candidates and campaigns in Georgia. We will honor the brave service men and women, both past and present, in our military We will hear from North Georgia Congressional candidates in t...

The Economic Justice Coalition is the contact for organizing rides to the polls. To arrange a ride, or volunteer to give rides, contact Linda Lloyd, EJC Director at (cell number) 706-202-0324 or (home number)706-549-9368. Please share this information with others who can benefit from this information.

I am sure Whitehead will skip this one as well From the Athens Economic Justic Coalition: Please make plans to attend the upcoming Candidate Forum featuring GA 10th District Congressional Candidates. Sponsored by the Athens Economic Justice Coalition and Athens Community Agenda, the forum will be held in Athens, Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m., at the East Friendship Baptist Church, located at 480 Arch St. Invited Candidates: Paul Broun, Denise Freeman, Bill Greene, James Marlow, Mark Myers, Evita Paschall, Nate Pulliam, Jim Sendelbach, Erik Underwood and Jim Whitehead. Find Out Our Next Congressperson's Views on Important Issues Confronting Us, Including The War; Jobs and Economic Development; Minority Voting Rights;Immigration; Public Education and the No Child Left Behind Act; Minimum/Living Wage; Energy/Gas Prices; Other Issues. Moderator: Janice Mathis Vice President & Executive Director of Rainbow PUSH Coalition For more information call 706-549-1142 E-mail: votematte...

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc. P. O. Box 1301 Watkinsville, GA 30677 Following is the text of a message from Lee Becker with information about the vote that is scheduled for June 19th to change the election cycle for our Board of Commissioners from an election of all each 4 years to an election of half each 2 years. This would make it impossible for citizens to make a major change in direction of the Board. I support Mr. Becker's position that this change is not in our best interest. I urge all to vote against this change. Charles Baugh Charlie: Please send this out, if you would. Thanks Lee Oconee County voters who turn out to vote on June 19 for the 10th Congressional race may be surprised to find another issue on the ballot. Voters also will be asked if they want to stagger the terms of the members of the Board of Commissioners, instead of choosing all five members of the Board at the same time, as is now the case. In a given election year, two or three member...

Please Join Us for a Reception to Support JAMES MARLOW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS 10th DISTRICT HOSTED BY: Lucy & Buddy Allen Carl Jordan Hon. Heidi & Al Davison Alice Kinman Hon. Nancy Denson Kathy Kirbo Penn & Elton Dodson Doug Lowry Katherine & Bertis Downs David Lynn Kelly Girtz Betty & George Maxwell Marjorie & Ted Hammock Kristy & Shannon Mayfield Hon. Keith Heard Hon. Louise McBee Andy Herod Hon. Gwen O'Looney Please help us support Athens' next Democratic Congressman by joining us for an evening of conversation and refreshments! Thursday June 7th at Trumps, 247 E. Washington St. 7:00-9:00 PM Minimum Suggested Contribution - $100 Cocktails & Light Refreshments Please RSVP to (706) 995-2115 Paid for by Marlow for Georgia, Inc.

Hey Everyone, Just one more reminder...the DPG needs you this Saturday, June 2 to canvass door-to-door and rally for change in the 10th Congressional District. Jane Kidd, DPG Chair, will kickoff three weeks of canvassing in the 10th and we need you to help it be a success. Join Jane, myself, and other DPG staff and other great Democrats as we knock some doors! Saturday, June 2, 9:30am-12:30pm 337 S Milledge Avenue (Athens 30605), The Butler Building (meet in parking lot behind the building) 9:30am (training/rally starts) 10am-12:30pm Canvassing door-to-door Refreshments and post-canvass talk afterwards! This will be a great event, but only with your participation. Please bring a friend or two!!! Let's start this off right! Jane would love to have as many of her great volunteers from her campaign to join back together and start the Grassroots change in Georgia in our backyard! Thanks and please call if you have any questions: 678-278-2008. - Mike -- Michael Cantone State Fiel...