Oconee County, GA Politics

Moore's Ford has forever stained the Walton-Oconee county border with the indelible stain of racism. Rich Rusk and friends invite you to their Christmas festivities December 1. The following video re-enactment they had nothing to do with in terms of staging, but it gives you a good idea of why racial reconciliation is so important. Keep in mind the following is an invitation from Rich and the Moore's Ford Memorial Committee and goes on here in Watkinsville Dear Moores Ford friends and invited guests, Please attend our 11th Annual Moores Ford Christmas Party. See invitation below. For a better copy and our full, two page invitation, please open the attachment. We have had yet another good year and it is time to celebrate. Some very special guests have been invited to receive Moores Ford Community Service Awards, including: Amrey & Debra Harden, GABEO President Tyrone Brooks, organizers from the Maceo Snipes memorial effort – John Cole Vodicka, Prison & Jail Proj...

Now that Georgia State Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson has deservedly been kicked all over the state for his ridiculous radical tax taking away local control over how our school boards spend our money, he has found a much easier target to take pot shots at . Those evil activist judges are trying to spend our tax money faster than the G.O.P., so let start some committee to try and impeach the Judge in the Brian Nichols multiple murder case. Never mind that the issues are largely independent and mutually exclusive, but let's throw Harlem state rep and 10th District Congressional candidate Barry Fleming under this bus as well by naming him the chair of the committee. Could not possibly have anyone from Atlanta, re: a Democrat, chairing something where we - the rich White Republican party - can get as much political mileage as possible. Fleming is the well funded Republican opponent of our Oconee contrarian Congressman Dr. Paul Broun for the GOP nomination next year. This shou...

Let me know what you think about these candidates for the Democratic nomination for US Senate:

Aside from encasing the place in lucite, polyuerethane or some other anti-aging encasement, I do not know what can be done to preserve this former stagecoach stop for future generations. I think some good steps have been taken including relocating next door for Oconee County Tourism Director Anita Rikli Ford and her associate Peggy Holcomb. I butted heads with Anita over the Watkinsville Bicentennial celebration last year which pretty much cost me my freelance writing with the Athens Banner-Herald's Oconee Living section that her husband Wayne edits. But some things are more important than petty personal squabbles. I am glad the Tavern still stands and donors have not reclaimed their donations, as was threatened at some meetings in the recent past. Tourism has never been fully embraced by the government here. Successive Board of Commission chairs have done plenty to make sure the necessary upgrades and bandages have been placed around the foundation of the Eagle Tavern, but ne...

An Oconee County woman is anonymously complaining to the media about a childbirth video shown to her 2nd grade child in the public school system. I understand why this woman wants to remain anonymous: she would be laughed at and ridiculed by every neighbor and at the Publix; and her child would be teased non-stop not just on the playground. While I have only seen the bits of the video provided by Fox 5 thanks to a principal's son, I know the miracle of childbirth up close and personal. It is an awesome experience I would recommend to almost everyone, breeder and non-breeder alike. I grant the parent in question the right to remove her child from an eye opening and honest view of reproduction. I have a second grader. He is reading Peter Pan and remarking on what a good book it is. I am in no hurry to have him grow up either. He asks questions about coming out of mother all the time. I am honest and open with him, describing the whole procedure. Parents raise and birth their childre...

Come with us this Sunday, October 28th, to see the Oconee County jail ina special tour led by Sheriff Berry and hear a lecture about domesticviolence by the director of Project Safe. Here are the details:Joan Prittie, the Executive Director of Project Safe, will speak aboutdomestic violence and the expanded role her first-rate non-profit has taken on while the Sexual Assault Center is rebuilding. She'll speak this Sunday at 7 PM at the Oconee County Jail Complex in Watkinsville. The lecture is part of the Oconee County Democratic Party’s FourthSunday series that addresses topics of importance in our region, state,and nation. The lecture will be held in the hearing room of the complexand is free and open to the public. Attendees may also tour the jail with Sheriff Scott Berry before the lecture if they arrive by 6:30 sharp. See the details below about this tour, as there are some rules everyone must strictly follow. There's information below, too, about where to park so that you...

Pardon the stream of consciousness rambling here, but somehow these ideas all tie together somehow I promise: Kudos to the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and the army of volunteers for successfully pulling off yet another jam packed Oconee County Fall Festival, where some 15,000 people all pile in on Rocket Field and the surrounding area to sample crafts, corn dogs, BBQ, funnel cakes, sand candles and the like. I never understand why people torture their canines by insisting on bringing them to this gathering, but then again, I let my dog sleep inside at night (and during most of the day as well). Glad there were no neighbors foaming at the mouth this year. The Watkinsville Police Department gets high marks for keeping the crowd flow going well but the Oconee County Sheriff's Department should have people at the various traffic lights over riding the normal pattern to customize according to the need of the moment during the peak congestion hours. I for one have never understo...

Brian Brodrick sent this link my way. A very special lady friend of mine eats there all the time to celebrate her closing on a house, etc. I would urge everyone to descend on Watkinsville Saturday for the annual Fall Festival. The national champion UGA Gym Dawgs of soon-to-be-retiring in two seasons Suzanne Yoculan will be there 10 am-12 noon but somehow I do not expect them to be performing routines on School Street. The Oconee County Democratic Committee is having a yard sale adjacent to the goings on at Rocket Field. It will be interesting to see if Bobby Saxon shows up after evidently cleaning house with his campaign staff. Any rumor mongers out there have any knowledge of what is up on that score?

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...

So writes Don Nelson and recommends the Oconee County Planning Commission. Seems like I remember something about a hotel being built next to the horribly named Oconee County Community Complex a few years back which evidently fell through. Where would you like to stay while you are here? Let's just make sure they are on a safe sanitary sewer and not leaching in a huge septic tank doo-doo field. There is still lots of wheeling and dealing with the Oconee County Planning Commission and not the least bit of controls on conflicts of interests, appearances of conflicts of interests, buying lavish dinners for planners, free trips, good ol' boy backroom dealings and what not. Time to rope them back in with similar controls to what are already on the books in Clarke County. We need a real visionary community-driven comprehensive planning map for 40 or 50 years in the future around here before Oconee County suddenly becomes Snellville. Oconee County should take another clue from Watki...

Regardless of how the Oconee County Board of Commissioners chooses to deal or not deal with beer and wine pouring in restaurants outside the municipality of Watkinsville, we will finally have a real Taco Stand at Butler's Crossing in early 2008. A lease was finally signed recently. The Taco Stand is as beloved an Athens institution as any restaurant. This location will be packed with basketball and soccer families coming to and from various events at North Oconee, Oconee County, Athens Academy, Westminster and Prince Avenue Christian schools. Good luck to co-owner Mark Marchant and the new Oconee County location of the Taco Stand opening maybe in mid-January 2008. Should be ready by Super Bowl Sunday - my 45th birthday - February 3 if all goes well with the build out (here's to hoping there are no problems or punch lists persisting past Christmas). Here is an excellent example of adaptive reuse that everyone can get behind. Glad to see that another choice for finer fast food...

This pretty much sums up the contempt that the Governors of the four Southern States have for the working media and bloggers. They will be down yonder in Greene County on the shores of the shriveling Lake Oconee not worrying about the water crisis or anything important.

Although there were a few skirmishes round these parts, I always look forward to hearing about the War of Northern Aggression, the War Between the States, the Civil War (and the uncivilized war) not to mention WEIRD GEORGIA. THE OCONEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INVITES YOU TO GEORGIA CIVIL WAR AND WEIRDNESS A BOOK SIGNING AND TALK BY JIM MILES TUESDAY OCTOBER 30TH 7PM OCONEE COUNTY LIBRARY

We're on for another movie night! Come join other Democrats from Oconee and Clarke County as we get together to see and discuss the film "A Crude Awakening" this Wednesday, October 17th, at 7:15 at Ciné in Athens. This 2006 Swiss movie about dwindling oil stocks has been described as "compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining." Meet at 7 inside the theater, located at 234 W. Hancock. Our movie nights are a good opportunity to see thought-provoking movies, meet new friends, and support our fine arthouse cinema! Our monthly book group also meets this week -- on Thursday at 6:30 at Five Points Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway. We'll be discussing Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas?" a book one writer described as "the true story of how conservatives punk'd a nation." Hope to see you! Pat Priest Oconee County Democrats

These are the stories you will not hear, read or see in the Mainstream Media

MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE October 10, 2007 PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh, Walter and City Attorney Reitman ABSENT: Council man Link VISITORS: See attached sheet. QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. All speakers are asked to approach the lectern and address Council. Mayor Luken commends Councilman Brodrick on his recognition as one of the 40 under 40 of Georgia’s Best and Brightest in the Georgia Trend Magazine. Mayor Luken further appreciates the accomplishments of all council members as he gives a highlight report of the activities over the past year. MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Brodrick seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2007 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. RUSSELL RHODES: Councilman Walsh moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to approve a business license for A Rhodeside Plumbing at 1020 Stone Shoals Ter...

This article in Time magazine may be an indicator of things yet to come

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky's office leaked the home office of 12-year-old Graeme Frost in Kentucky. This boy woke up out of a coma not long ago and suddenly became the latest symbol of Republican greed and selfishness by speaking for the Democratic party in last week's radio address about the S-CHIP legislation expanding insurance coverage to the lower middle class (quickly disappearing thanks to the economic foolishness of the GOP). Now the right wing water carriers are attacking the kid and his family over every thing from their counter tops to the schools they attend. Give it a break GOP. You have met your match on this one. You can smear Cindy Sheehan and let Rush condemn phony soldiers and countless others, but this one is going to blow up even more in your face.

This is the first common sense thing the Bush Administration has contemplated in a long time.