Oconee County, GA Politics

Oconee County Democratic Committee member Dr. Patricia Priest has worked hard on this event and has also continued work with the book club. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: ppriest@charter.net Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 21:46:48 -0500 Subject: [oconee] Dancing with Athens -- and Oconee -- Stars First I wanted to send a reminder that the book group sponsored by the Oconee Democrats will meet Thursday, February 19th, at 6 at Five Points Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway to discuss "Three Cups of Tea." It's a great, uplifting book. You can pick it up at Books Galore in Watkinsville -- with a 25% discount. As always, newcomers are welcome. I'm also writing to let people know that tickets are now on sale for "Dancing with Athens Stars" -- the very fun March 1st show at the Classic Center that will benefit Project Safe. Oconee's own Courtney Gale (working with Ron Putman, who t...

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Oconee County Democratic Committee will be hosting an Educational Summit on Transferable Development Rights 5 pm Sunday, February 22nd at the Oconee County Library in Watkinsville. This will be a non-partisan event featuring Dr. Russ Page talking about preserving agricultural property in the southern rural part of the county in exchange for denser zoning in the northern suburban section of the county. Everyone is invited regardless of party affiliation or residency. For more information call 706-769-1131.

Transferable Development Rights is a difficult to grasp concept where essentially one end of Oconee County would give up its right to build on its land for the other end to be able to build at a higher density than is allowed currently by zoning and planning. The Oconee County Democratic Committee distributed and discussed the report put together by activists and developers to try to begin the process of possible putting this in place for Oconee County. At 5 pm on Sunday, February 22nd at the Oconee County Library (if available)in Watkinsville the Oconee County Democratic Committee will host a meeting to help foster understanding of this complex issue with the possibility of Dr. Russ Page and Wayne Provost if they are willing and available to discuss this issue. Newton County has begun the process of of beginning this with the help of Rick Pruitz. There are other examples in Georgia such as the Chattahoochee Hills community in Fulton County and to a much lesser degree the Orange Twin ...

Lee Becker informs us about what will be on the next SPLOST ballot March 17 here in Oconee County. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: SPLOST Ballot Language Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:39:18 -0500 From: Lee Becker <lbbecker@mindspring.com> Reply-To: lbbecker@mindspring.com To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Dear Friends, The ballot language for the March 17 election shows the wish list that voters will see when they cast their votes on the next SPLOST. The financial reports released to the Commissioners on Jan. 26 tell a lot about what has been done with money from the current SPLOST-- and what has not been done. Details, as usual, are http://www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/ Lee -- Lee Becker Blog: www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com Web: http://lbbecker48.googlepages.com/

Couple of cool local Democratic committee activities Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.  Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 12:35:43 -0500  From: lelrod@UGA.EDU  Subject: Meeting- Commissioner Kelly Girtz  To: YDEM-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU    Hey Young Dems,    Join us for FREE FOOD tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5:30 in room 250 of the Miller Learning Center for guest speaker Kelly Girtz! Kelly is a member of the Athens-Clarke County Commission, and he'll be speaking about local government and big issues of the day. Bring your friends and lots of questions for Kelly!    See you tomorrow,    Louis Elrod  President, UGA/ACC Young Democrats    ANNOUNCEMENTS:    ATHENS-AREA DEMOCRATS BREAKFAST-The next breakfast will be on 14 FEBRUARY 2009 at 9:00 A.M. AT TRUMPS ON SOUTH MILLEDGE. This location is at The Shops of South Athens near the location of the old Bi-Lo.    The speaker will be: HEIDI DAVIDSON, MAYOR O...

State Representative Bob Smith has introduced legislation to attempt to convene Georgia's first Constitutional Convention since 1787 , and I think this would be the worst possible scenario for this State on any number of reasons. Smith's rationale is to rework the State Tax Code, which is fine, but why he does not introduce legislation to do just that is beyond me. Once we open Pandora's box with a Constitutional Conversion there is no telling what ridiculous legislation will be passed. Criminalize abortion and birth control? Sure, give women and their doctors 10 years in jail for exercising control over their own reproductive systems. School vouchers? Why not, let's kill all the public school systems and make the Taliban proud with every kid having to study the Bible. Get rid of all the Halls of Fame and every State sponsored everything. You get the idea. Basically once we start a Constitutional Convention then every crack pot idea ever introduced will have a short cut...

I have been battling an upper respiratory infection and what little energy I could muster has been directed toward my son and his basketball team. Tomorrow I turn 46 and I am on the mend. We also have another Oconee Recreation Department game tomorrow night as well. Former two time chair, 20 year lobbyist and twice defeated candidate Becky Vaughn will be recounting her recent Inauguration experience 7:30 pm Thursday at the Oconee County Governmental Annex off Highway 15 in the southern part of Watkinsville. Here are some excerpts of what else to expect from the meeting of the Oconee County Democratic Committee that night (the following have been lifted directly from their listserv): As is going to be my habit, I wanted to let all of you know what will be on the agenda for Thursday's meeting. I will be doing this about a week ahead of all our meetings so that those of you who are inclined to think about these things before hand will know what to think about. My hope is that this wil...

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.