Oconee County, GA Politics

Lee Becker stays on top of the permitting process of a developer of Epps Bridge Centre behind the Lowe's in Oconee County. Dear Friends, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted a permit for destruction of the streams and wetlands on the site of the proposed Epps Bridge Centre on Epps Bridge Parkway. See my blog for details. http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/ Lee -- Lee Becker Blog: www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com Web: http://lbbecker48.googlepages.com/

Dear CCDC members and friends,   Please read the email below from the Athens Area Democrats concerning their plans for the upcoming February meeting and beyond!   Hope you can attend.   Sincerely, Karen Solheim CCDC Vice Chair for Communications From: anitabarney@charter.net To: Subject: AADems Breakfast 14 February Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:27:43 -0500 I hope all of you were as inspired by the inauguration ceremonies yesterday as I was! I watched from the departure from Blair House through the first couple of balls. Now it's time to get down to business, or as our President said: "pick ourselves up, shake ourselves off, and get to work". People are going to expect a lot from this administration. We helped put them there and we are going to have to help them succeed.  At the last Breakfast, the group voted to have meetings every month, so we are moving ahead with plans: Our next breakfast will be on 14 FEBRUARY 2009 at 9:00 A.M. AT TRU...

Not sure if it is even slightly related, but State Representative Bob Smith sent me a State of Georgia flag and some political memorabilia yesterday. The Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of his "subdivision of a subdivision" yesterday in a tract in Northern Oconee County.

This is from the source

Aside from Jeff Gold and his ambitious World Environmental Organization 160 acre paradise, there are not many functioning green economy businesses in Oconee County. Here are some ideas from Green America about heeding our new President's advice.

If you know people in need, please let them know about this important food distribution. Or please consider volunteering to help out bagging groceries. Dear CCDC members and friends,   Please read the email below for an additional Inauguration Day event!   Sincerely, Karen Solheim CCDC Vice Chair for Communications   P. S.  Today (finally--and thank goodness) IS the day.   Subject: [AthensEconJustice] MLK/Inauguration Food Giveaway/Voter Registration_ East Friendship Baptist-Today We are feeding the hunger at the same time celebrating with those that perhaps cannot afford to go to some of the other events in Athens Clarke today. Please join us.   Economic Justice Coalition in conjunction with the UGA Living Wage Group,   East Friendship Baptist Church,  Delta Sigma Theta, Southern Christian Leadership, Georgia Clients Council, and Rainbow Push plan  to give away over 60 bags of Groceries today. ...

Oconee County resident Carl McGrath (kneeling) organized a clean up of an eye sore area in Greensboro, in Greene County, as a direct result of canvassing the neighborhood during the campaign for President Barack Obama. I wish I had participated and brought my son, but we are both a bit under the weather right now. Dan --- On Mon, 1/19/09, Carl McGrath <carlmcgrath@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Carl McGrath <carlmcgrath@yahoo.com> Subject: MLK Day of Service Report to USAService.org To Date: Monday, January 19, 2009, 11:33 PM All, Here's the report I sent to USAService.org regarding the service we performed today in the Maple Circle neighborhood of Greensboro. Also, check-out the attached photo, which I included in my report:   Tell us your event story: We removed debris that had been dumped over the...

It is time to ask the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for the resignation of County Attorney Daniel Haygood. His performance during this entire episode has been reprehensible. The duty of the County Attorney is not to keep secrets from the people that he serves. Outgoing Oconee County Commissioner Don Norris did us all a favor by letting his true feelings known in the recent interview with the Athens Banner-Herald's Adam Thompson. It is time to make our feelings known in each and every meeting with the Oconee County Board of Commissioners. I do not think these people are actively in conspiracy with developers to deny the Oconee County citizenry any information, however their tactics suggest a contempt for any attempt at getting documents, news and facts to the people about how government does and does not work for some of the people most of the time. On Lee Becker's website he clearly explains the myriad of reasons why Haygood should be discharged immediately in his most...

General David Poythress is running for Governor of Georgia in 2010. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: ksolheim@hotmail.com To: ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com; ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com Subject: CCDC FW: Brig. General Poythress Visit to Athens Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:40:06 -0500 Dear CCDC members and friends,   Please read the message below. All are invited to attend.   Sincerely, Karen Solheim CCDC Vice Chair for Communications --Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: RF2770@aol.com Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:06:47 -0500 Subject: Brig. General Poythress Visit to Athens To: ksolheim@yahoo.com Karen:   General Poythress visit to Athens  today will include a meet and greet coffee beginning at 9:30am. This is being given by Atty. Kenneth Dious at his law offices located at 115 Sycamore Dr.   He will visit Stroud between 10-11am.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 706-870-0515. ...

Subject: The future of this movement Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:26:10 -0500 From: Barack Obama <info@barackobama.com> Reply-To: info@barackobama.com To: Obama for America Dan -- I have some exciting news to share about the future of this grassroots movement. I recorded a personal message for you. Please take a minute to watch the video: http://my.barackobama.com/thefuture What you built can't stop now. Together with our partners at the Democratic National Committee and its new chairman, Governor Tim Kaine, this movement will continue organizing and bringing new people into the political process. The challenges facing our country are too great, and our journey to change America is just beginning. I look forward to working side-by-side with you in the ...

I post the corrected minutes instead Subject: [oconeedemocrats] Corrected minutes for January 8. 2009 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:44:00 +0000 From: Rita Bennett <bonanzagirl@hotmail.com> Reply-To: oconeedemocrats@yahoogroups.com To: Oconee Democrats <oconeedemocrats@yahoogroups.com> Minutes Oconee County Democratic Committee Meeting January 8, 2009 Oconee County Government Annex, Watkinsville, Georgia Committee members present:     Jonathan Veit (5-3) Chair; Rita Bennett (3-2) Secretary ; Violet Dawe(1-1) Treasurer ; Dan Matthews (2-2); Sarajane Love (2-3); Herb West (5-1); Myrna Adams        West (5-2); Robert Wyatt(6-1); Diana Jeffreys (6-2); Pat Adams (6-3). Committee members absent (excused):   Ann Stoneburner (1-3) Vice Chair ; Tony Glenn (1-2); Becky Vaughn(5-3). Others:   Erika Ferrari, Liz Goodroe, Terry Holley, David Jarret...

Seems like it has been a while since we have had such a meaty post on the onlineathens.com web site from Oconee County correspondent and red headed journalist Adam Thompson. He interviews outgoing Oconee County Commissioner Don Norris about a wide array of issues and this gives much insight into why Norris is no longer an elected official. Norris seems to think that Lee Becker does not like him personally and it was not enough to discharge pollution in the stream in his back yard. I used to see Norris every morning at the downtown Athens U.S. Post Office, but not so much recently, and he was always very polite, had a nice thing to say, and was always cordial. I appreciate his service to his county.

There is no denying that President Barack Obama effectively incorporated and expertly exploited various distinctive images in a manner that was unprecedented in politics, marking the Obama brand beyond just fashion or trendy appea. Artist Shepard Fairey created the iconic images. This was sent to an Oconee County Democratic Committee listserv and one of the members blew a gasket over it and was immediately pelted with stinky rotten vegetables, er, at least a few polite rebukes. I have yet to receive the posters or the pencils or the $140 basketball jersey or other items I have ordered with complete faith and trust in the Obama online team. So I will let you decide yourself whether you want to pay $20 here or $100 at the other site. I collect distinctive political imagery and I did buy two posters. Hey Oconee Democrat readers or members, I just ordered a limited edition inauguration poster by graphic artist Shepard Fairey. I thought you might be interested in getting your own: htt...

Lee Becker shows us how once again to effectively communicate with our potential Superintendents (all two of them). Dear Friends, I wrote a short note on my blog about the forum last night for the finalists for the school board superintendent. I also uploaded a video I shot of the session and linked that to my blog. The Board of Education is soliciting input on the two finalists. It is obvious that this is an important choice for the county. So consider looking at the video (or listening, as the quality is pretty poor) and sending a comment to BOE Chairman David Weeks, at weeksdw55@hotmail.com . I think you know the url for the blog. It is www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com . Lee -- Lee Becker Blog: www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com Web: http://lbbecker48.googlepages.com/

Once again with the Oconee celebration first Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: carlmcgrath@yahoo.com Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:14:39 -0800 Subject: Re: [oconee] FW: Inauguration Celebration Yes, Tony! Here's an option. Follow the link to RSVP: http://my.barackoba ma.com/page/ event/detail/ gpt88s All are welcome to stop by or stay & watch the entire time.  Hope you can make it! Carl ********* Carl McGrath 1031 Simonton Drive Watkinsville, GA 30677-2579 (706) 769-3400 --- On Tue, 1/13/09, Tony Glenn <southoconee@ yahoo.com> wrote: From: Tony Glenn <southoconee@ yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [oconee] FW: Inauguration Celebration To: oconee@yahoogroups. com Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 2:29 PM Does anyone know of a local place where people can gather to watch the inauguration? Tony From: Herb West <herbwest@bellsouth. net> To: "Athens_UU@yahoogro ups. com" <A...

Here are some other areas where you can watch the Inaugural. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: southoconee@yahoo.com Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:33:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [oconee] FW: Inauguration Celebration Here's what I found for the UGA venues. Tony Media Advisory: UGA to offer several Inauguration Day viewing opportunities Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia will offer faculty, staff and students several opportunities to view the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, Jan. 20. Screenings will be available at the following locations: - UGA Chapel, 10 a.m. -  2 p.m. - Fine Arts Balcony Theater, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Russell Library Auditorium, UGA Main Library, West Entrance, noon - 2 p.m. - Memorial Hall 407 (Adinkra Hall), 11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. - East Campus Village Fireside Lounge, Noon - 2 p.m. - Tate Student Center Theater, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. From: Jane <jbvkidd@aol. com> To: oconee@yahoogroup...

Hi, I have sent out notices for renewals of membership in our organization. If you do not receive a letter and are interested in renewing your membership please sent a check to us at P.O. Box 1514 Watkinsville, GA 30677 Dues schedule is as follows: Individual (16 years) $25.00 Family $ 45.00 Business $60.00 Non-Profit Organization $25.00 Student* (18 years) $ 5.00 Associate* $10.00 Contributing $75-100.00 Patron $>100.00 *non voting members Peggy

I do not think of historic preservation as a political issue per se, but I do subscribe to saving our heritage and helping our government's support efforts at preserving our history. This group has done a great service to Oconee County in maintaining an almost unmaintainable structure in the old Central school house. Below are the minutes of their most recent meeting: Hi, Below you will find the minutes of our last meeting. You are invited to a couple events which I have put in bold print so you can easily find them if you want to put them on your calendar. MINUTES 2009 January 12, 2009 Attendance: John Cleaveland, Peggy Sommer, Danna Anderson, Dory Brown, Lisa Douglas, Mary Ruth Moore and Richard Pendergrass Old business: 1. Discussed meeting of Mary Ruth Moore, Richard Pendergrass and Peggy Sommer with Don Oliver and John Gentry concerning Central School House They would very much like to see it open for tours and or events on a regular basis but they do not have the staff to man...

OK, Oconee County activists, this is our Maginot line. We need to do everything we can to make certain this development is not built according to the plans currently laid out.  Our wetlands are more important than a huge parking lot and movie theater. Check out more at Lee Becker's blog. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lee Becker < lbbecker@mindspring.com > Date: Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 10:45 PM Subject: Buffer Variance Need Explained To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Dear Friends, It really is rather simple. The property for the proposed Epps Bridge Centre on Epps Bridge Parkway really isn't suitable for the shopping center unless the state allows the developer to pipe and pave over the streams. Onsite mitigation isn't practical either, since all the streams and wetlands will be piped, paved over, filled or otherwise disturbed to build that shopping center. The reason the state should grant the variance request? We need more shopping opportunities in...

Free tickets at the Classic Center! Woo hoo! Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: ksolheim@hotmail.com To: ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com; ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com Subject: Inauguration Viewing Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:28:19 -0500 Dear CCDC members and friends,   ACC venues are available for viewing the Inauguration: 1.  The Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America will be televised at the following University of Georgia campus locations from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm: Russell Library Auditorium, UGA Main Library, West Entrance Memorial Hall 407 (Adinkra Hall) East Campus Village Fireside Lounge Tate Student Center 2.  The Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama can be viewed on a large screen at the Classic Center in Athens on Tuesday, January 20th beginning at 10:00 AM.  The event is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required.   Tickets will be available from the Classic Cent...