Oconee County, GA Politics

This article quotes a Watkinsville native Josh Darnell and how his life was saved by quick thinking and courageous acts by a British helicopter pilot. Well done one and all. British helicopter pilot takes risk, saves American Soldier | www.fortgordonsignal.com | Fort Gordon Signal

What a lot of opponents of the personnel action of the Oconee County Board of Education against Principal Osborne do not realize is that they do not have a legally binding cause of action for a legitimate recall election against any members of the BOE or the unelected Superintendent Dr. Jackson. You could constantly badger the Board members at the Monday meetings and ask for their resignations, but until someone breaks a law and gets caught, you are going to be hard-pressed to have a recall which would withstand the scrutiny of the judicial system. I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, and I think a lot of this is going to come back and bite the current members of the Board of Education on the rump should they decide to run for re-election in 2010 or 2012. Osborne resigned, which is his decision, end of story? (not likely). North Oconee principal says he plans to resign || OnlineAthens.com

Live blogging the caucus meeting: Ralston wins speaker vote | Gold Dome Live

Chattanooga Times Free Press | House Republicans elect new speaker Thursday

Once again the ugly specter of discontent rears its head in time for the holidays as the chickens have come home to roost in regard in the drawn out principal John Osborne - North Oconee High School saga. I am sure as a matter of record the entire story will never be known as is the usual result of any personnel matter. I suggest at the end that the Oconee County Board of Education should host a meeting at North Oconee High School as soon as possible to give everyone a chance to chafe and gripe about yet another bonehead decision or at least introduce the new administration or whatever. Seems like a continuing situation of shifting blame and dodgeball by the BOE. No word on principal, but questions for N. Oconee || OnlineAthens.com

This rather provocative comment comes courtesy of a person who calls themselves "Fervor" past the end of story in reference to the Prince Avenue Christian School. I will have to be sure to don some Obama wear when my son's 4th grade basketball team plays there in early 2010. Otherwise this is an article pretty much summing up the current weeks of Republican shenanigans on a statewide level of corruption, possibly criminal behavior and incompetence. Scandals shake up Georgia GOP || OnlineAthens.com

Bob Smith finally breaks his silence on the Speaker's race. Endangered awks Former speaker's lieutenants || OnlineAthens.com

Before I became a resident of the city of Watkinsville proper some seven or eight years back, I lived out off New High Shoals in the Oconee Forest subdivision. People drive very fast on New High Shoals with little regard for oncoming traffic. I do hope the best for the Walton County Sherriff's Deputy and others injured in this wreck. Slow down people! Deputy, two others still hospitalized from wreck || OnlineAthens.com

This should come as no surprise but the fact that the IRS seemingly approved government ordered tax breaks for the Governor is somewhat shocking. OnlineAthens.com | News from The Associated Press

In what could be considered a trial run for future local crisis news model, Sheriff Scott Berry of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department Wednesday posted updates in comments section from an article on the only mainstream breaking news site of the Athens Banner-Herald newspaper. Berry bettered described exactly where the crash was initially and gave an official update on what exactly this truck was carrying and to let people know that it is toxic to inhale. "The chemical is a caustic, concentrated additive to the detergent process. It is an inhalation hazard. Cleanup crews are standing by, but it will take some specialized equipment to transfer the caustic chemical from the wrecked tanker to an operational one. It will be late tonite when the cleanup is complete." This main artery Hog Mountain Road cut off of the routes of both public high schools and at least some traffic for three other private high schools

God Bless Senator Tom Harkin The Hawk Eye

Sounds like a great time to be had by all --- On Mon, 12/14/09, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation  wrote: Subject: OCAF's Signing and Singing: A Holiday Treat To: danjmatt@bellsouth.net Date: Monday, December 14, 2009, 10:45 AM Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Presents Signing and Singing A  H o l i d a y  T r e a t Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 6 to 8 PM * Signed Books as Holiday Gifts for Children and Adults * * Authors' Ensemble Reading of The Night Before Christmas * * OCAF Artist Shoppe full of handmade original Art * * Singing Performances * * Admission is Free * Singing Performances by: Decatens Acapella Choir of Oconee Coun...

Avoid Hog Mountain Road near OCHS until further notice.....it is in front of Briarwood Baptist Church so no getting to Herman C. Michael or the Oconee Veterans Park from Butler's Crossing. Truck spill closes main road in Oconee County || OnlineAthens.com

Red barn over yonder...... Date: Monday, December 14, 2009, 11:52 AM John will be out of town so the meeting has been moved to Richard's Elder farm home.  Directions below: I know this is a busy time of year but it is an important meeting as we are planning to discuss Heritage Park and the future of the history village there.  7pm   DIRECTIONS TO ELDER FARM 4841 COLHAM FERRY ROAD WATKINSVILLE , GA 30677 706-769-5787 Elder Farm House is located in the "Y" of Colham Ferry Road and Antioch Church Road , as you are going south on Colham Ferry Road . Richard and Ruth Pendergrass Cell 770-402-0377  

Sounds like an obvious member for the Heritage Park group of historic structures and another project for the Oconee Hisotrical Society to tackle. DAR chapter asks for 'Red Barn' || OnlineAthens.com

Glad an Oconee County business can still remain involved in sponsoring this golf tournament (which is not the only professional local sporting event as they incorrectly hyped it last couple of years). Many local businesses saw dollar signs in their eyes when this event was at the Jennings Mills and complained loudly when the crowds failed to materialize at anything more than free barbecues. The Stadion Athens Classic at UGA is an awkward mouthful, but hopefully it will become something we are much more accustomed to in the near future. Local Nationwide tournament finds its sponsor, official title || OnlineAthens.com

Great job all around by everyone who had anything to do with this project. Stephen J. Arnold: Big Christmas for local soldiers || OnlineAthens.com

http://ww.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/jpegs/millarFran.jpg (borrowed from Jim Galloway) DATE: December 11, 2009 TO: Fellow Caucus Members FROM: Fran Millar RE: The Future During this difficult time, I have urged patience and stated that what is important is that we do this right. I had hoped Mark was going to announce in his letter that we would have an election prior to the session. I certainly did not expect his email stating he was pursuing other career opportunities and would not be running for Speaker. Hopefully, he will provide further clarity on Friday. Even in adversity, I believe everything happens for a reason. I agree with Jerry Keen that we have much to be proud of. We have been good fiscal stewards and most of the credit goes to Ben, his Appropriations Vice Chairmen, and their committees. Legislatively, the people of Georgia like what we have done with tax relief, immigration control and tort reform. However, as Republicans we do have a public image percept...

Georgia lags in solar development  | ajc.com Posted using ShareThis

More sage advice from Erick Erickson about what is going on in the Statehouse. No other blogger can create the traffic on the right (and sometimes left) side of political blogs in the State of Georgia. ERICKSON: A political culture of corruption - Opinion - Macon.com