Oconee County, GA Politics

There is a great little music festival this weekend in Athens, Georgia in Clarke County called AthFest that you ought to bring the family to several times in the next three days, and while you are at it, buy a bicycle at Sunshine Bikes either downtown in Athens next to the stage or at their store in Watkinsville. That is all. Go enjoy free music and stuff for the kids. Thank you and see you downtown in Athens. Support our local economies please.

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Dude, check it out ZION Skatepark in Watkinsville | Shared via AddThis

Sorry to read about the fate of Patrick Cline in the Oconee Enterprise today (not available online) at the pool where he was banned from future Oconee Recreation Department matters. All I know of the seemingly mild-mannered Cline was from Cub Scouts a couple of years ago and soccer for at least four seasons and at the school where his son and my son attend, and he never struck me as the kind of parent or coach to act rashly. I respect any father who comes to the aid of his son, but you can never bump into any official, intentionally or otherwise. To call the Sheriff was a bit silly I think, but Lord knows I have had to call the Sheriff's Department for a few would-be fracases over the years at Herman C. Michael back when I worked there almost twenty years ago (!!!) I would be willing to have Cline mentor or coach my son if the situation arises in the near future as I do not think I will be coaching soccer in the fall for the Oconee Recreation Department. I might do basketball again...

I have not done any fishing in the Oconee River, but I defer to James Holland's opinion and quote on this article. State deems Oconee fish safe after further tests - Local & State - Macon Shared via AddThis

Lots of little stories about Oconee, but we all have books worth donating to a good cause so let's start taking them there. Around Oconee: Donate those books | Oconee | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Adding the burden to blue bag purchases (what everyone outside of Watkinsville and private garbage pick-up uses for trash) and recreation fees, not to mention wiping out Keep Oconee Beautiful basically says we don't care that we have wealthy people here who can afford a tax increase, so let's try to hide the budget shortfall on the backs of those who can least afford it - everyone else. Not a hallmark day for the Oconee County Board of Commissioners or our local county government. No big Oconee budget surprises | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Seems like the Banner-Herald are making Blake pull double duty in the wake of Adam Thompson's export to Michigan Law School. Oconee readies for budget vote | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

Begin forwarded message: From: Lee Becker < lbbecker@mindspring.com > Date: June 21, 2009 10:32:03 PM EDT To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Subject: How Deep to Dip Reply-To: lbbecker@mindspring.com Dear Friends, Have you seen the stories in the newspapers about the ease with which the Oconee County Board of Education passed a flat budget while the Board of Commissioners continues to struggle to cut almost $5 million? Did you wonder how this is possible given that they both rely on county sales and property taxes? The answer has to do with federal stimulus dollars, differences in revenue projections and how deep one dips into savings. For details, go to my blog at http://www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/ Lee -- Lee Becker Blog: www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com Web: http://lbbecker48.googlepages.com/

Becky DeLozier Vaughn, two time political office candidate and chair of the Oconee County Democratic Committee, resigned her committee membership unexpectedly at the end of the monthly meeting Thursday at the Oconee Government Annex citing personal reasons. Her annual Christmas parties were a welcome distraction from the usual drudgery of political committee meetings. Vaughn ran unsuccessfully against Bob Smith for State Representative in 2006 and also lost against Brian Kemp for State Senate in 2004. She has been working in Washington, D.C. as a lobbyist for a drug education PAC State Association of Addiction Services while maintaining a residence in Bogart at Jennings Mill. She had worked for many years in a similar capacity in Atlanta lobbying state leaders of both parties. She has three daughters and a son. Vaughn was instrumental in the resurgence of the Oconee County Democratic Committee along with Bill Yarborugh, starting up monthly meetings after the mass exodus to the Republ...

FW: Ga Theater Pictures If you need any for your blog.  Credit Bryan Harris … . _____________________________________________ From: Bryan Harris Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 8:56 AM To: Brian Brodrick; Abby Blaylock; Scott Hartman; Athens Jackson Spalding Subject: Ga Theater Pictures Sorry for the quality, I had the BlackBerry maxed out... Bryan Harris JACKSON SPALDING Image Creation, Cultivation and Communication P 404.874.7164 C 678.491.9447 F 706.354.0920 E bharris@jacksonspalding.com www.jacksonspalding.com Go behind the scenes at Jackson Spalding! <<IMG00159.jpg>> <<IMG00160.jpg>> <<IMG00161.jpg>> <<IMG00162.jpg>> <<IMG00163.jpg>> <<IMG00164.jpg>> <<IMG00165.jpg>> <<IMG00166.jpg>> <<IMG00167.jpg>> <<IMG00168.jpg>> <<IMG00169.jpg>> <<IMG00170.jpg>> <<IMG00171.jpg>> ...

Mary Mellein is a friend of mine who has run for office before and been involved in numerous Oconee County residents' efforts, and I generally support just about everything she does. I do not want to see the elimination of the Keep Oconee County Clean and Beautiful Commisson either and urge you to let your Commissioners know of your decision to support this important citizens committee. I also do not want to the Board of Commissioners jack up the registration fees for the Recreation Department activities either. I am afraid that is what they are going to do. Sounds like it is a job for our concerned voters to voice their opinions as soon as possible. The following was written by her: --- On Wed, 6/17/09, Mary MELLEIN <mrmellein@bellsouth.net> wrote: From: Mary MELLEIN <mrmellein@bellsouth.net> Subject: Help Keep the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission To: mrmellein@bellsouth.net Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 2:49 PM Dear Friend,   I am writing to make y...

Should you want to be part of the party in the White House, come to our meeting. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting, 6/18/2009, 7:00 pm Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting   Date:   Thursday June 18, 2009 Time:   7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Repeats:   This event repeats every month on the third Thursday. Location:   Oconee County Government Annex ...

Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me > To: danmatt@hotmail.com > Subject: Show at Ashford Manor on Monday 6/22 > Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:18:42 -0500 > From: meredith@thehighballs.com > > Hello Friends & Fans! > > Pack up the lawn chairs and picnic baskets and come out to Ashford Manor in > Watkinsville on Monday 6/22 for a LIVE '70s & '80s-retro show from The > Highballs. Gates open at 5:30, Rachel O'Neal opens and The Highballs play > from 7:00-9:00. Plan to come early and get a good spot. The outdoor show is > weather-permitting, so keep your fingers crossed for a nice, dry evening. > BYOB, blankets, lawn chairs, coolers...even the kids! > > More details and directions can be found at the Ashford Manor website at > http://www.amconcerts.com. > > Hope to see you Monday night! > > The Highballs > http://www.thehighballs.com > Become a FAN on FACEBOOK...

I have a son who is attending basketball camp at North Oconee High School who hit the scrimmage winning shot yesterday in his first day of big boy basketball camp. North Oconee in Newsweek top ranks | News | OnlineAthens.com Shared via AddThis

First the disclaimer, while not directly related by blood I am distantly related to Rachel by several marriages and have known her longer than that. So with that out of the way, I can highly recommend her for your entertainment pleasure whether at a brewery or bed and breakfast or even a house party. She is a great singer and worthy of your attention. From: Rachel O'Neal < rachelp182003@yahoo.com > Date: June 16, 2009 7:46:05 AM EDT To: rachelp182003@yahoo.com Subject: Upcoming Show Dates Hey everybody. Just thought I'd let you all know about my upcoming shows this summer and into the fall that I have scheduled so far. I'm also trying to get into playing private parties and events, so if you have something scheduled for which you think some acoustic music would be appropriate, please keep me in mind... Hope to see you at a show! Monday, June 22nd - Ashford Manor Concerts on the Lawn - 6:00 pm (opening for The Highballs) Saturday, June 27th - Athfest Mainstage - 5:30 ...

I have been receiving very effective telephone calls from the National Rifle Association with a 703 area code number with a live person sometimes on the line asking to speak to patriotic Georgians and to continue listening for a pre-recorded message from lead douchebag Wayne LaPierre that was more slanted than a roof of a steep A-frame. Being the patriotic Georgian I am, I listened to his screed against Congress and a new bill that will make people have to take a test to get their magazines to refill their automatic weapons. These are not the kind of magazines you would get a subscription to, but instead the kind you would put in the end of a repeating rifle. After hearing his argument which was full of more holes than Swiss cheese, I was then connected to a man who asked me if I trust Congress with my Second Amendment rights, and to quote John Doe from X in the song "More Fun in the New World" - I said Yes because I did. (Saw them last night live at the 40 Watt in Athens). W...

I am saddened but not terribly surprised that some BRAG bicyclists were injured on New High Shoals this morning . I hope that they recover from their injuries and that the driver will be a little more careful next time they pull out into traffic. It may be premature Wednesday morning quarterbacking, but I really hate it that Watkinsville and Oconee County would be besmirched with the distressing distinction of being the only place where bike riders have been injured in the history of this bike ride across the state.

I wholeheartedly support agriculture and farming so I am happy to plug this book "Farming With Grass May Be Just Right For 21st Century" with a forward co-written by someone from Watkinsville. Also you can download it if you are so inclined, which is the future of publishing as far as I can tell. I do not know Mr. Franzluebbers but I am happy to support his writing and publication and cattle.

This morning I saw several dozen bicycle riders as part of the Bike Ride Across Georgia on Third Street going toward Eagle Tavern in Watkinsville. By the time I drove past the Oconee County landmark I saw more bicyclists then I could count. At least the doors to the bathroom outside of Eagle Tavern were open and people seemed to have a nice shady area to dismount from their bicycles. I understand that today's ride to Watkinsville was more of a side trip or day journey then an actual part of the scheduled ride. I think we could have done more for them if we had known that they were coming, or at least before we had bicyclists by the score at our front doors. Considering the hoops that the Oconee County government makes its residents go through to organize a bike ride in the county, it is a shame that we were not afforded the same courtesy by our government to let us know in advance that this bike riders were coming so that we might prepare a little better hospitality for these athl...