Oconee County, GA Politics

Very few municipalities have been as amusing or shrouded in mystery and controversy as that of Bogart, Georgia. I have not been to a meeting for quite some time as the powers that be at the Banner-Herald have decided I am not worthy of reporting freelance stories (thanks Melissa and Wayne). Recently resigned Mayor Thomas "Tom" Peavey was always one to get up in former Mayor Jan Thurmond's face when it came to matters involving her son Bret or just about anything involving the softball facility or recreation department. I can recall Peavey going toe to toe with former residents such as Jack Hierholzer and former mayors such as Robin Hoag and city council members such as Woody Bruce over any number of personal and public topics. We can speculate all day long on why Peavey choose to resign but he never struck me as typical leadership material. Peavey seemed to be very blue collar type in a white collar job. I wish the municipality of Bogart well and interim Mayor Terri Glen...

Why would we want a grocery store in the midst of the busiest traffic thoroughfare in Oconee County? This is what you get when the more narrow minded members of the Oconee County Planning Commission continues to drive our economic engine into the ground. Sure the zoning and planning may actually conform to the prospect of such a project, but for once does the neighborhood have anything to say about what stores get rammed down their throats? Bruce MacPherson, Bill Yarborough and George Rodrigues are the three members of the Planning Commission who vote with some regularity against moronic development in our community, and kudos to them for doing that. Someone trying to win an insurmountable write in campaign might consider such populist issues to propel their campaign, For those who do not know the background, there are plans afoot to build a grocery store shopping center somewhere near LaVista Road and Highway 441 here in Oconee County. This is near both the campus of Athens Academy a...

Thanks to Lee Becker for filming this and filling us in Dear Friends, The proposed rezone of 68 acres on the north side of SR Loop 10 on Epps Bridge Parkway for the proposed Epps Bridge Centre was approved by the Planning Commission last night with only Bruce MacPherson of Bishop dissenting. Questions were asked about impervious surface, wetlands mitigation, traffic, and amount of asphalt to be put down. Representatives of Oconee 316 Associates had a variety of answers. Commissioner Mike Maxey expressed concerns that the conditions being recommended by the planning staff on the amount of development might be overly restrictive and could put the developer at significant financial risk. The planning staff is concerned because the road access to the development--the proposed Oconee Connector extension--isn't built, or even started. In the end, Maxey seconded the motion for approval, which included the restriction on the amount of the development that could be completed before the new ...

Bobby Saxon calls on Congressman to refund taxpayer money ATHENS, GA – Bobby Saxon, Democratic nominee for the Georgia 10th Congressional District, calls on Congressman Paul Broun, Jr. to refund taxpayer money he wastefully spent on self promoting mailers. "I am shocked and dismayed with today’s news that Congressman Broun would be so careless with taxpayer money. He has regularly voted against the interests of hardworking Georgia families; voting against critical programs for needy children, benefits for veterans, and against stronger law enforcement for child pornography, all the while spending our tax dollars promoting his name,” Saxon said. “Today I call on Paul Broun, Jr. to refund the $562,000 of hard earned taxpayer money that he spent on shameless self promotion. Congressman Broun's hypocritical position on government spending illustrates the need for true positive change in the 10th District. If elected, unlike Congressman Broun, I will provide the responsible leader...

More insight from Lee Becker Dear Friends, The Oconee County Planning Commission tomorrow night is scheduled to review the rezone request for a major shopping center on Epps Bridge Parkway behind the current development. The rezone is the sole new item on the agenda < http://www.oconeecounty.com/Government/Planning/PlanningPDFs/PC-Agenda8-18-08.pdf >. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the courthouse in Watkinsville. The development will put a lot of traffic onto Epps Bridge Parkway and SR 316. It also will adversely affect McNutt Creek. As the Athens Banner-Herald < http://onlineathens.com/stories/081408/news_2008081400170.shtml > has reported, the entire project hinges on a road that is not yet built--an extension of the Oconee Connector. The Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center has raised concerns about the project. The Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center report is available here < http://www.negplanning.org/dri/search >. The Oconee County planning ...

Once again outstanding analysis from Lee Becker: Dear Friends, I've done some precinct analyses of the July 15 election results that suggest that incumbency played a significant role in explaining the vote in the Board of Commissioners races and that the beer and wine issue probably did not. Incumbency in this time of rapid development in the county probably is a surrogate for concerns about development. My analysis also suggests that while order on the ballot may explain some of the votes in the Board of Education races, it clearly was not the key factor. The August 5 BOC meeting shows that development, particularly in the south of the county, is likely to be an issue the new board will face when it takes office in January. Go to http://www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/ for details. I also posted an analysis earlier in the week of the coroner race. It is at http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2008/08/oconee-coroner-runoff-outcome-not.html Lee

Saturday Sounds of Summer Concert Series Presents The gorgeously orchestrated and textured pop melodies of Athens' Amanda Kapousouz, aka Tin Cup Prophette, have made her a favorite on the local music scene. The multi-instrumentalist earned her name busking tunes on her violin in New York's subways. She's also a favorite of local aerialists and has worked several times with Canopy Studio in Athens, creating live music for the dancers. Www.tincupprophette.com or http://myspace.com/tincupprophette Saturday August 23rd, 2008 A Saturday night outdoor summer music series On the grounds of Ashford Manor Bed and breakfast In downtown Watkinsville Saturday Sounds of Summer Series 2008 Pricing Single night admission prices: $12 for adults, $5 for children under 12, children under 6 are free Gates open at 6pm Concerts starts from 7-9pm VIP TABLES AVAILABLE Table for 8, linen, chairs, and tickets $350 Don’t forget to pre-order or purchase on site from Buffalo&# 8217;s...

A Monday night outdoor summer music series On the grounds of Ashford Manor Bed and breakfast In downtown Watkinsville Presents (Southern Roots, and Blues) Monday August 18th, 2008 True Southern rock is hard to find. Maybe it's the fresh, honest simplicity of the lyrics, or maybe it's the soulful duets on slide guitars, but Delta Moon has found their voice in the aesthetics of Southern rock. It's the sound of Georgia clay and Kentucky whiskey; it's too good for any pickup truck commercial and it's too strong for any pop-country album. When Tom Gray and Mark Johnson first met at a music store, they had no idea that their slide guitar jam sessions would turn into the glorious, gritty band that it is today. With virtuosic precision and a thick, brawny, arena-worthy sound, Delta Moon will take you back to the Old South with skill and passion you won't soon forget. www.deltamoon.com 1st and 3rd Monday Series 2008 Pricing Single night admission prices: $12 for ad...

Help us pick up trash August 23, 2008. We have a sign on the road, and we need your help to honor this designation. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: sjathome91@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:57:35 -0700 Subject: [oconee] Adopt-a-Mile Cleanup Aug. 23 Please join the Oconee County Democratic Party next Saturday, Aug. 23, to pick up the litter beside our adopted mile of road. Meet at the Barber Creek Fire Station (Mars Hill Road/Oconee Connector) at 8:30 a.m.. Bring a pair of work gloves, and any empty aluminum cans that you have to donate to the firefighters' recycling project. (Please be sure not to park in front of the big bay doors of the fire station.) See you next Saturday! Sarajane Love __._,_.  

Dan Matthews has sent you an invitation to 'Watkinsville Watch Party' -- click here to view the invitation and submit your response: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpg85y --- You've been invited to attend Watkinsville Watch Party. Go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpg85y#rsvp to RSVP.

Self-described "Christian" cement truck driver and write in candidate Tom Leach takes on Melvin Davis in the last gasp protest against pouring beer and wine in restaurants in unincorporated Oconee County. Maybe someone should tell Mr. Leach that no restaurants outside of Watkinsville have applied for the evil spirits to be poured. Maybe Satan told the Church lady who attends Leach's church. The following is borrowed from the Oconee Enterprise, and the quote at the end of the story is really bizarre and shows that this candidate might not be the sharpest tool in the shed: Tom Leach to oppose Davis by Blake Giles Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008 9:57 AM EDT Tom Leach has announced that he will oppose Melvin Davis as a write-in candidate for county commission chairman during the November general election. “I am a Christian man,” said Leach, and first and foremost I think Melvin sold us out when he broke the tie on liquor by the drink. I want to give the voters a choice.”...

  Dear Dan, Just one week after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate with a decisive 60% to 40% victory, I have more exciting news to share with you.  Last night, we received very encouraging poll numbers showing us surging and Saxby Chambliss sliding as we head into the general election. Our new poll has us within six points of Chambliss (36% to 42%) and, equally important, it has Chambliss polling substantially below 50%.   There is little doubt that these numbers spell trouble for the incumbent Chambliss. To hardworking folks across the state, this poll will come as no surprise – Georgia voters know all too well that Saxby Chambliss has consistently supported the economic policies that have gotten us into the mess we're in now.  That's why our message of change is gaining traction every day. So, now, our challenge is clear:  We must build the case to reverse George Bush's failed economic policies and remove the main obs...

AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE August 13, 2008 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Wanda Dingler – business license – Manor Realty, Inc. – 29A N Main St., Ste 2 2. Jason White – business license – Jason D. White Photography – 120 VFW Drive 3. Cissy Watson (Hometowne Communities) – building permits – garages @ Wisteria Ridge a. Building B garages – 7 parking bays b. Building B1 garages – 7 parking bays c. Building C & pool house (amended) – 5 parking bays d. Building D – 4 parking bays e. Building E – 6 parking bays ADMINISTRATION 1. June Reconciliation Report MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider/Set 2008 Property Tax Millage Rate 2. Consider text changes to Watkinsville Sign Ordinance ADJOURN

I have no beef with the way Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry patrols the county other than I would like for him to be a little more cooperative in sharing information with Chief Lee O'Dillon and the Watkinsville Police Department, but seldom are lawsuits filed without some merit, despite the public perception. I hope the county sees the light on this one and settles before it really costs us a lot. I know nothing of the people or circumstances in this case but have heard many rumors over the years about various alleged misdeeds done

Please attend the Blue Hats meeting if you can - besides the egg salad sandwiches at Krimson's are to die for. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: [oconee] Blue Hats of Oconee Co. Democrats, 8/16/2008, 1:00 pm Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Blue Hats of Oconee Co. Democrats   Date:   Saturday August 16, 2008 Time:   1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Next reminder:   The next reminder for this event will be sent in 4 days, 3 minutes. Location:   Krimson Kafe, Watkinsv...

- Hello, I will be sounding an official announcement and publicity soon, but I wanted to update you all: The Democratic Headquarters grand opening is set for Thursday, August 21, 5:30 – 8PM, at 1136 Athens Road in Crawford, next to Cook Motors (old B&B Tire). We are ever-grateful to Lori Glinski for donating this space for the duration, and I think it would be fair for the Committee to contribute some money towards utilities expenses. Our special guests will be Tim Riley and Bobby Saxon, and we'll be collecting donations for these two campaigns. Donors make out the checks to the campaigns, not to the Oglethorpe Democrats. So as promised, our volunteer needs: 1. Headquarters opening party We need some folks to bring potluck items – mainly meats, veggies and bread. Maybe a large coffee pot. Hard to say how many people we'll have at one time - maybe plan for 50 over the course of the evening (but that doesn't mean you have to bring 50 portions of your dish)...

Pat Priest is my hero. She does more for many groups and never clamors for credit, glory or honor. I am here to give her mad props. The following is an email from her, including an email from Alex DeGolia of Georgia for Obama.  1. Book Challenge underway  2. Dancing with the Stars (of Oconee!)  3. Obama (and other great candidates!)    1. We've postponed our Book Challenge to allow people more time to pick  up and read Senator McCain's autobiography ("Worth the Fighting For")  and Senator Obama's ("The Audacity of Hope"). We'll discuss McCain's  book in September and Obama's in October. The books are available at  25% discount at Books Galore in Watkinsville, and you receive an  additional $1 off if you buy both autobiographies.    This month's Third Thursday discussion (August 21st), then, will just be  a good chance to talk politics and to plan our upcoming slate of books.  Join us! We'll meet at 6:15 at Fiv...

Minutes Oconee County Democratic Committee meeting August 7, 2008 Oconee County Courthouse, Watkinsville , Georgia   Committee members present :  Jonathan Veit (2-1), Vice-Chair ; Herb West (5-1), Secretary ; Ann Stoneburner (1-3); Dan Matthews (2-2); Sarajane Love (2-3); Rita Bennett (3-2); Vicky Moody (4-1); Myrna Adams West (5-2); Robert Wyatt (6-1); Pat Adams (6-3).   Others:  Pat Priest , Rich Clark , Mr. & Mrs. Felton Hudson ( Greene County )   Rich Clark :  Prior to the beginning of the business meeting, Rich Clark talked about his campaign for Oconee County Board of Education and committee members had a number of questions as well as ideas and suggestions.   Vice-Chair Jonathan Veit called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm , as Chair Becky Vaughn was called out of town at the last minute.   A quorum was declared present.   Minutes :  The minutes from the June 5, 2008 meeting were ap...

AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE August 13, 2008 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Wanda Dingler – business license – Manor Realty, Inc. – 29A N Main St., Ste 2 2. Jason White – business license – Jason D. White Photography – 120 VFW Drive 3. Cissy Watson (Hometowne Communities) – building permits – garages @ Wisteria Ridge a. Building B garages – 7 parking bays b. Building B1 garages – 7 parking bays c. Building C & pool house (amended) – 5 parking bays d. Building D – 4 parking bays e. Building E – 6 parking bays ADMINISTRATION 1. June Reconciliation Report MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider/Set 2008 Property Tax Millage Rate ADJOURN

Rich Clark, candidate for the Oconee County Board of Education and the lone local candidate on the November ballot, appeared before the monthly meeting in the Grand Jury Room of the Oconee County courthouse in Watkinsville Thursday evening. He led a lively discussion of the much hyped educational system in Oconee County. Clark will run against developer Tom Breedlove for a position on the Board of Education. Instead of registering new voters with the Obama team Saturday, the members discussed the date of a bike ride less than a month from the proposed date. The Tour de Pottery may or may not be officially approved by the powers that be at OCAF and have a route toward Danielsville or possibly remain right here in Oconee County. Jonathan Veit and Tony Glenn were to have checked with local potters to see if they can have bicyclers pedal to their local markets/houses or Rocket Field or both and have a SAG wagon riding behind to hold all their purchases.