Oconee County, GA Politics

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: You're Invited! Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:58:22 -0500 From: Carl McGrath <carlmcgrath@yahoo.com> To: danjmatt@bellsouth.net Carl McGrath has sent you an invitation to 'Health Care Community Discussion' -- click here to view the invitation and submit your response: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptkpf

The funniest moment of the Jim Shearon party for me was when I laughed so hard I cried during the Effie's Club Burlesque routine where Vice President Dick Cheney and President George Bush put on a particularly energetic dance routine which ends with the Veep prematurely shooting the soon-to-be-Ex-President Bush with a shotgun. After Dick nailed Bush and the dancer fell into heap she was pelted with shoes and had the whole audience roaring on a very wet evening and scurrying on the checkerboard dance floor. Keeping in mind this was a very well dressed and somewhat conservative appearing audience, but of course ran the gamut from gay to straight, young to old, black to white to brown, rich to poor, outlandish to invisible, connected to obscure, developer to educator, Republican to Democrat, town to gown, newborn to octagenarian, innocent to guilty. There was a genuine outpouring of grief and frustration and joy and celebration and outrageous laughter all at the shame time. Shoes over...

The launch of the Chinese lanterns unto itself may be the single most profound and accurate religious symbolism of the soul ascendancy I ever have taken part in, and I am far from a Biblical School scholar or Divinity School expert. It just was powerful and these pictures only begin to barely do it justice.

I am biased. I love eating at Zaxby's fast food restaurants with my son after an athletic event at Herman C. Michael or the Oconee Veterans Park. For those who do not know or live outside of Georgia, Zaxby's is a chicken finger fast food place with roots deep in Oconee and Baldwin counties I believe. I first tried their tasty food in the Cornelia-Demorest-Clarkesville area of Habersham County some 10 years back or longer. They had a very shrewd business plan and model to slowly grow and cater to clientele in secondary markets. They went were Chick-Fil-A would not go and sometimes where Hardee's had been. But something has gone wrong in the Zaxby's business model where paying semi-famous people to eat their limited time food products seems to be the rule now instead of careful growth. These days we usually eat at the Taco Stand after coming home from a soccer or basketball game or practice, but there was time where I would grab some fingers or a Zak Snack a couple of ...

Burnell Brown was an activist in Oconee County long before I was even alive . Mr. Brown was in many ways one of the few remaining African-American activists with a one generation removed from slaves. He was much older than Oconee County itself. His parents were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. He saw it all in Watkinsville during our lifetime, from segregation to lynchings to mass murders at the city jail to eventual desegregation and integration of our public and private school. He told me stories of a currently elected Republican official offering him a bribe for "his people's votes." I am sure both Rich Rusk and Bill Yarbrough will be at his 1 pm memorial service tomorrow at Bethel Baptist Church in Watkinsville. I was honored to introduce Mr. Brown to Lt. Governor Mark Taylor at OCAF a few years ago. Please attend his memorial service tomorrow if you can.

I have never experienced the wide array of emotions as I did last night at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakast. The occasion was a white party at Watkinsville landmark to honor the life and times of Jim Shearon, a genius who made everyone around him and those who got to know him much better people. His festive memorial was as unusual as Jim was, who was fondly recalled by his brother Dave as "the blind interior decorator." Among the many places in Watkinsville evolved by Jim and continuing on are Maison Bleu restaurant and Sweet ReTreat in Town Center. It was an amazing display of slides showing the infamous "ass-less" pants he designed for Prince, the many stage and theatrical designs for shows on and off Broadway, the costumes, the clothes, the interiors and so much more. Many people I had not seen in quite some time turned out for the celebration where Mozart and Shakespeare were performed, where burlesque and burning Chinese lamps ascended to the sky in an amazing tr...

MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WATKINSVILLE December 10, 2008 PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh and Walter VISITORS: See attached sheet. QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. All speakers are asked to approach the lectern and address Council. CHRISTMAS PARADE AWARDS: Mayor Luken appreciates Maridee Williams organizing and overseeing the Watkinsville Christmas Parade. He explains that he and Maridee discussed a couple of weeks ago that the parade at one point almost dissolved, but thanks to Maridee and The Oconee Enterprise, it has continued. “Maridee has done an incredible job”, he says. Maridee Williams presents the Christmas Parade Awards (See attached list of winners.). MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to approve the November 12, 2008 Minutes as presented. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Link moved and Councilwoman Purcell se...

  -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: karen solheim <ksolheim@hotmail.com> To: <ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com>, <ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com> Subject: CCDC Save-the-date: Tuesday, January 20---Inaugural Ball Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:23:19 +0000 Dear CCDC members and friends,   Please the date of Tuesday, January 20,2009, from 8 p.m. through midnight for the  Clarke County Democratic Party 2009 Inaugural Ball to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama.   This event will be held at Trumps new facility on Milledge; will involve elegant  dining (heavy hors d'ouevres), dancing, and a grand celebration of an historic event; and is bl ack-tie optional. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale this Sunday, December 14, at CCDC Holiday Party at Nancy Denson's house. Additional information will follow.   Sincerely, Karen Solheim CCDC Vice Chair for Communication  

I always support the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, and so should you. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:38:51 -0500 From: andrea@rankinfoundation.org To: danmatt@hotmail.com Subject: Holiday Cards from Jeannette Rankin Foundation Having trouble viewing this email? Click here You're receiving this email because of your relationship with Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Please confirm your continued interest in receiving email from us.   You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. Dear Friends, Not sure what to get those special people on your holiday shopping list who already have everything? Make a meaningf...

What are you doing for lunch tomorrow? I will be conducting basketball practice, but if you are so inclined, please go to Krimson Kafe tomorrow and talk to some good people about interesting subject. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: oconee@yahoogroups.com To: oconee@yahoogroups.com Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:58:25 +0000 Subject: [oconee] Blue Hats of Oconee Co. Democrats, 12/13/2008, 1:00 pm Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Blue Hats of Oconee Co. Democrats   Date:   Saturday December 13, 2008 Time:   1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Repeats:   ...

  -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: OCAF <director@ocaf.com> To: danjmatt@bellsouth.net Subject: Artist Shoppe Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:39:43 +0000   OCAF Artist Shoppe  8 DAYS LEFT! Tuesday thru Sat 10 am to 4 pm Special Last Day December 22nd! Dear Dan, There are still 8 days of shopping left at the OCAF Artsist Shoppe, the one stop, unique, art shoppe in Watkinsville.   Lots of new items have been added. If you looked during Holiday Market, you haven't seen it all yet! Please make time to come on in and see. The local artists we represent thank you!   Some of the many beautiful handmade items are listed below:    Artist: Diane Perry Handmade Jewelry   Price: $25.00   Artist: Variou...

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: CCDC FW: January's AA DEMS Breakfast Resent-Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:30:24 -0800 (PST) Resent-From: ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:30:14 -0500 From: karen solheim <ksolheim@hotmail.com> To: <ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com> , <ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com> References: <D6119586-A93E-4F3B-BDA6-CCDDD036275C@charter.net> Dear CCDC members and friends,   Please read the email below concerning the next Athens Area Democrats breakfast on Saturday, January 10, 2009 , beginning at 9 a. m. at Trump's new facility.   A great program with our local legislators is planned.   Sincerely, Karen Solheim CCDC Vice Chair for Communications From: anitabarney@charter.net To: Subject: January's AA DEMS Breakfast ...

The weather was not particularly hazardous last night but on the way to and from basketball practice I saw a pair of multiple car pile-ups on Oconee County roads. The first was a five car (looking like a) chain reaction crash on 316 between the By-Pass and the Oconee Connector in the left lane where a couple of the vehicle were partially lifted off the road from the ferocity of the multiple impacts. The Georgia State Patrol and the Oconee County Sheriff's Department and Volunteer Fire Departments were on hand right away to get traffic flowing as smooth as possible during the rush hour. The second accident was at Hog Mountain Road (State Route 53) and View Larger Map ">the cut through at Burr Harris and Jamestown Boulevard near those new shopping centers en route to Herman C. Michael Park. That looked like three cars at least at that non-signaled intersection. We were driving carefully to the Georgia men's basketball game. Be careful out there people, especially with the...

AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE December 10, 2008 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK CHRISTMAS PARADE AWARDS PRESENTATION OF THE WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Jeffrey Maddox – business license – Zion Skate Park – 1051 Business Boulevard 2. Joanne Nucci – business license – JEB-N-JATS (hand crafted items) – 20 Spring Circle 3. Lindsey Byram – business license – Stone Soup (artwork & crafts) – 19 Main Street 4. Rodney Ellerbee – building permit – 16x20 room/garage addition to existing residence at 1051 Christian Court 5. Ann Miller-Andersen – Beer & Wine License – Le Maison Bleu – 2 S. Main St. Ste 111 6. Jose Zambrano – Beer & Wine License – Jose’s Restaurant – 24 Greensboro Highway, Ste. A 7. Healthy Gourmet – presentation of interest in business. ADMINISTRATION 1. October, 2008 Reconciliation Report MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS 1. Consider SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement NEW BUSINESS 1. Discuss Solid Waste Management Ordinance Update ...

  From: "Ashford Manor" <ashfordmanor@charter.net> To: "Ashford Manor" <ashfordmanor@charter.net> Subject: A White Party in Honor of Jim Shearon at Ashford Manor Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:01:05 +0000

Among the interesting items on next Wednesday's agenda for the Watkinsville City Council meeting is the Zion Skate Park business license approval. Since the place where the kids skate is either in front of my house or behind the court house, this could be a welcome development. Stay tuned for more details: AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE December 10, 2008 CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK CHRISTMAS PARADE AWARDS PRESENTATION OF THE WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD MINUTES APPEARANCES 1. Jeffrey Maddox – business license – Zion Skate Park – 1051 Business Boulevard 2. Joanne Nucci – business license – JEB-N-JATS (hand crafted items) – 20 Spring Circle 3. Rodney Ellerbee – building permit – 16x20 room/garage addition to existing residence at 1051 Christian Court 4. Ann Miller-Andersen – Beer & Wine License – Le Maison Bleu – 2 S. Main St. Ste 111 5. Jose Zambrano – Beer & Wine License – Jose’s Restaurant – 24 Greensboro Highway, Ste. A 6. Healthy Gourmet – presentation of interest in bu...

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Daniells Bridge Road Rezone Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:35:22 -0500 From: Lee Becker <lbbecker@mindspring.com> Reply-To: lbbecker@mindspring.com To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Dear Friends, As promised, I've filed a more complete report on the Daniells Bridge Road rezone on my blog. The county is spending $400,000 of taxpayer money to support this office park development. The good news is that the money almost certainly will make the roadway more safe. Contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, however, the $400,000 will NOT eliminate the blind curve. And it is not consistent with the county's plans to eventually create a four-lane loop road around the Epps Bridge Parkway and SR Loop 10 interchange, meaning it is a short-term fix rather than the result of long-range planning. It is pretty ...

Great time at the annual Oconee County Democratic Committee Christmas party last night at Becky Vaughn's Meriweather Drive home in Bogart's Jennings Mill County Club, despite a relatively small turn out. My only complaint is the lack of announcement of the second vice-chair based on the fact that this perspective candidate person is not yet even officially on the committee, and I felt like if the nominating committee is going to recommend a slate of candidates, they need to be straight up with the whole slate and not just part of the slate due to their inability to even get a firm commitment for this person to officially join the committee, yet alone be the largely ceremonial officer. It is not like there is a huge line of people wanting to be involved in the committee's inner machinations. Even though I know she refuses to be chair, Dr. Patricia Priest is once again in my humble opinion the de facto chair with her outstanding public relations work and many engaging program...

Thanks to my Cordele friend Lori Mcbrayer Jobe and her Facebook friends for alerting me of the letter writer in the Tifton Gazette from a few days before the election. Their less than impressive website does not let one copy the entire letter in one fell swoop so I pasted them together for maximum impact. This is a fairly lengthy read by most posts on this blog but please give it a chance. One of Lori's friends said this should have been a full page ad in every newspaper in Georgia from the Democratic Party with this letter and their might have been a different outcome. The letter writer's name is Dick Marti, and the pagination of the original leaves a little to be desired: The Georgia Senate runoff between incumbent Saxby Chambliss (R) and challenger Jim Martin (D) is well under way, with the vote scheduled for Dec. 2. A lot has been made of the magic number of 60 Democratic seats in the new Senate. Preventing the Democrats from reaching that number gives Republicans some leve...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M - Th 11p / 10c Indecision 2008 - Chambliss vs. Martin Barack Obama Interview John McCain Interview Sarah Palin Video Funny Election Video