Oconee County, GA Politics

Dear Dan, All over Georgia, people are talking about the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner .  The response has been overwhelming, and demand for tickets is high.  To show the nation how excited Georgia Democrats are about this event, we're offering you a very special opportunity - now, if you haven't purchased tickets, you can come see the Presidential speeches for only $25! Click here to buy your tickets for $25 ! Of course, you can also buy tickets for the whole evening, including dinner, a chance to help us honor Senator Max Cleland and Congressman John Lewis with the first-ever Georgia Giants awards, and preferred seating for the speeches by Senator Clinton and Senator Edwards.  Those tickets are only $250, but we only have a few left.   You can still invite Senator Obama to be there by clicking here . Click here to buy tickets for the dinner and Presidential speeches ....

Once again Lee Becker does an excellent job explaining the situation much better than I could, so please read his post about the upcoming Oconee County Board of Commissioners meeting and why you should attend: Dear Friends, The Oconee County Board of Commissioners will get an update on the bids for the upgrade of the Rocky Branch sewage treatment plant at its meeting on Tuesday. It is not possible to know if the Board will be asked to take action or anything about the bids themselves or the review process since the County has closed the entire process to citizens. The County offered bidders the option of using one of two technologies for the plant. I've been told by an expert on these plants that the technologies differ significantly  and that the only way to know which will produce the higher quality water is to have details about the bids. At the BOC meeting on Tuesday, members of the Board of Directors of Friends of Barber Creek will ask the BOC not to take any actio...

Transferable Develop Rights aren't very sexy, but they are important. Please consider attending this meeting. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: important discussion about TDRs in Oconee county Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:01:38 -0500 From: bill paul <bpaul@uga.edu> To: bill paul <bpaul@uga.edu> CC: Tom Hurst <tom2299@bellsouth.net> , ANTHONY GLENN <aglenn@uga.edu> , Bob and Harriett Nix <bob-harriett@charter.net> , Bonnie Murphy <mayabee333@bellsouth.net> , Brian Broderick <bjbrodrick@bellsouth.net> , Chrissy Moffett <chrissymoffett_76@hotmail.com> , christine rodick <christine.rodick@gmail.com> , Dan Matthews <danjmatt@bellsouth.net> , Don Shenk <donschenk@charter.net> , Gail Hoge <gwhoge@bellsouth.net> , Gwen Darden <gmdarden@charter.net> , J Lintecume <Birdgirl59@netzero.com...

Will there be any fall out from the absence of jurisprudence in the extremely light sentencing of embezzler Jim Ivey? The most likely and deserving victims would be Oconee County Board of Commission members chairman G. Melvin Davis and Jim Luke. They are both public servants and private people that should be dealt with swiftly in the voting booth. We need to maintain a level of dignity and sobriety in the removal of anyone willing to serve in public leadership. Just because someone testifies at a trial does not automatically condemn those with whom they side. I commend these gentlemen for standing up for their convicted colleague. But I also counsel that this testimony was delivered at a steep political price, and now it is time to pay. There are ways of registering our displeasure with the decisions of the Board of Commissioners while maintaining decorum in public meetings, and giving our leadership polite disapproval in the appropriate forum. Do not harass them in Publix or in the...

Dear Friends, I want to call your attention to two items of significance to those of us concerned about water and other environmental issues affecting Oconee County. First is a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday (January 22) in Masters Hall in the Georgia Center on the University of Georgia campus to discuss the proposed National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, which would be located on South Milledge avenue near the Middle Oconee River separating Clarke and Oconee counties. At the meeting, Edward Hammond, U.S. director of the Sunshine Project, an international watchdog agency opposed to biological warfare, will be speaking. Hammond is being brought to Athens by FAQ, a local group trying to make sure people are informed about the project. The second item is the public notice that Walton County is seeking a reissuance of its permit to discharge 3.4 million gallons per day of treated sewage water to Jacks Creek, a tributary to the Apalachee. As a point of reference, the proposed upgrade to th...

I have not yet had the pleasure of personally meeting the newest Oconee County beat reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald in Adam Thompson, but once I do I am sure my reaction will be something like - "Oh yeah, you're that other guy writing notes at all those various meetings around here." He has written an excellent summary of both sides of North High Shoals squabble surrounding the future (and past and present) of the debate surrounding the disbanding of the town charter, effectively un-incorporating the municipality. Let me also turn back the clock to a different time when small towns could take their differences out on the softball diamond . I had never hit a ball over a home run fence where the home run becomes an out, but I did that day.

This article provides some interesting insight into the newly unleashed student onto the world at large. Sometimes the world unfortunately bites back. I do hope they find this young man but with the frigid temperatures of late I am afraid his destiny is to join that of other infamous recent disappearances of local college students. Please keep looking and let the authorities know if you find anything unusual on your property between here and Atlanta.

I know online petitions are subject to all kinds of kooks, nuts, spoofers and other online charlatans, but we have to start somewhere. So please sign and forward to all your friends, especially those who live in Oconee County. Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com

Oconee County, Georgia residents are finally starting to learn about the repeated pattern secret meetings and decisions about the future of their increasingly corrupt sewage as well. Lee Becker deserves a medal for having the mettle to battle with the Oconee County Board of Commissioners' secrecy armed only with Open Records requests. He has exposed numerous clandestine gatherings and been downright stonewalled when it comes to the latest request for records surrounding the bidding process for our sewer treatment. Chairman Davis continues to expedite his own political obituary by obscuring Oconee County dealings in various governmental matters. Sunshine shall bring us spring and a new chairman for the Board of Commissioners soon, given governmental transparency to make the cockroaches of corruption scatter. The following was sent to me by Lee Becker and I insist you check out his blog and urge him to run for the BOC in at least a write-in basis in 2008. Dear Friends, The County co...

The five radio stations owned by Paul Stone and Southern Broadcasting are now owned by the same media conglomerate Cox Communications that owns WSB and the AJC and hopefully the conservative Mr. Stone can go back to where ever he came from (Elberton, Pensacola?) with the $60 million. Does this mean we get Clark Howard and Neil Boortz 24-7? Herman Cain can now guffaw with his buddy Tim Bryant all the time? Matt Caesar and Babs Dooley will have to make room for Sean Hannity? We shall hear, I'm sure

Media Advisory: January 15, 2008 Contact: Martin Matheny 706-461-0439 (m) 678-278-2108 (o) martin@georgiademocrat.org *Democrats to present response to "State of the State" address* * **ATLANTA - *State Representative Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) will be presenting the Democratic response to the Governor's State of the State address on Wednesday, January 16 at 4:00 p.m. Representative Ashe will speak to members of the House and Senate Democratic caucuses and area Democrats at the Capitol Education Center auditorium, located at 180 Central Avenue, near the Capitol. -30- Paid for and authorized by the Democratic Party of Georgia: 1100 Spring Street NW, Suite 408, Atlanta, Ga 30309. Jane V. Kidd, Chair; Michael Thurmond, Vice-Chair; Rex Templeton, Jr., Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

None of the many mistakes made by Oconee County Board of Commissioners chair G. Melvin David by themselves rise to the level of an impeachable or criminal offense, but the continued pattern of subterfuge and ignorance of immediate county needs does point to a level of incompetence and boorish behavior which bodes poorly for Oconee County's future. I believe this necessitates a new level of leadership on the top elected officer level. Chairman Davis is a decent man, but I think we can do a whole lot better. For those of you tired of reading the list of errors, I suggest you skip ahead a few paragraphs. But here is something I posted in the Athens Banner-Herald's new political page a few days ago: 10. Testifying on behalf of convicted felon Jim Ivey 9. Holding secret meetings illegally in Madison and other clandestine planning debacles 8. Not calling for a BOC vote on beer and wine in restaurants in Oconee County. 7. No public swimming facilities yet at new park despite a donatio...

This book group has done an outstanding job expanding the ranks and participation with the Oconee County Democratic committee Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: oconee@yahoogroups.com To: oconee@yahoogroups.com Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:57:49 +0000 Subject: [oconee] Non-partisan Community Book Group, 1/17/2008, 6:00 pm Reminder from:   oconee Yahoo! Group   Title:   Non-partisan Community Book Group   Date:   Thursday January 17, 2008 Time:   6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Next reminder:   The next reminder for this event will be sent in 4 days, 2 minutes. Location:   Five Points Deli, Epps Bridge Parkway Phone:   ppriest@charter.net Notes:   The Oconee County Democrats hold a non-partisan book group monthly to discuss politics and history. We encourage adults and teens with varied viewpoints to join us for spirited discussions. Feel free to invite friends from other counties, too. In...

I wrote a letter to the editor of the Athens Banner-Herald asking for the resignation of Oconee County Board of Commissioners chairman G. Melvin Davis. Davis has done even more to ruin the reputation of Oconee County than merely testifying for a convicted felon or having a series of secret meetings making plans to move the Courthouse from downtown Watkinsville . I think this is emblematic of a much bigger problem of good old boy networking and covering of their collective asses. I am no conspiracy theory nut, but I do think there is a battle going on here with the future of Oconee County at stake. The residents and business owners of this county are the victims of this clandestine planning and secret meetings. Davis needs to resign to accept responsibility for a system gone out of control. He is a very genuine and nice person, but we have to say enough. At the very least he should not run for re-election. Please people, let the newspapers and the radio stations and your neighbors. Th...

I do not think you have to be from Clarke County to appreciate former Athens-Clarke County Mayor and CEO Gwen O'Looney or her humorous roasting. Although expensive, this should be fun. If you buy a ticket and cannot make it, and want to sponsor a poor blogger, let me know. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. WHO:           YOU   WHAT:          are invited to attend the CCDC Roast of Gwen O'Looney   WHERE:         Classic Center, Athens   WHEN:           Monday, February 25;  6:30 for cocktails; 7-9 dinner and roast   WHY:             because you--and Gwen--will have fun!!!   Save the date. Tickets will be $50, and proceeds will be used to fund the Clarke County Democratic Headquarters....

Happy Friday, everyone! It's a new year, alright, and w/the Ga. Legislature about to convene, the time has come to shake the post holiday stupor off and for me to get to work again. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, warm and full of family and friends. Mine was great, now all I need is an amazing gathering to attend, where I'll be inspired, educated and motivated to get Write to Vote moving again. Well thanks be, the Ga. Progressive Summit begins TONIGHT, and runs through Sunday. Yes, I admit a personal loyalty to this event, these are the same wonderful folks who encouraged and believed in Write to Vote when it was a wee idea in danger of being rendered moot by the Legislature before we could put it into action. They have more than quadrupled the size of the Summit in just three years. I am sorry I am just now getting this out to you! Please, check out their program at http://www.gps2007.org/ and try to catch as much of this as you can. ...

Once again in the tradition of Meetup.com, MoveOn.org and North Georgia Democrats, here is an opportunity for Democrats of all stripes and geographic divisions to come together even before the Presidential Preference primary in less than a month on Super Tuesday when Georgia will got lost in the shuffle of New York and California and all those other states for Super Tuesday.  Maybe we can get our act together and elect somebody outside of Clarke County for the first time in years. If your name is Bobby Saxon, and you are running for Congress, and I did see the name but forgot who his new campaign director is, you damn sure better attend this event. Maybe this time the Clarke County Democratic Party administration is going to be more hospitable, cooperative and engaging in area events and this is the beginning of that trend. Don't get me wrong, many many Clarke County Democratic party members realize the need to no longer cede the suburban areas to the G.O.P. - last night I got in a...

*Minutes* *Oconee** **County** Democratic Committee meeting* *January 3, 2008* *Oconee** **County** Courthouse, **Watkinsville**, **Georgia* **) ** * * *Others present*: Karen Solheim (OCHS YDs); Judi Wright; Sharon Eubanks Chair Becky Vaughn called the meeting to order at 7:27 pm. A quorum was declared present. *Minutes*: The minutes from the November 1, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously after a motion by Sarajane Love and second by Pat Priest. The committee did not meet in December. *Treasurer's* *Report*: Treasurer Violet Dawe was absent. *By-Laws*: Because of changes to the Oconee County voting precincts (upon which our committee districts and posts are based), the by-laws will need to be revised reflecting a new committee structure. Herb & Myrna are willing to work on this but would like assistance. Herb had just received from Bill Yarbrough prior to the meeting a list of the new precincts with the number of registered voters in each. Bill said the county's IT dep...

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: info/events from the Oconee County Democrats Resent-Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 03:42:48 -0800 (PST) Resent-From: ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:42:35 +0000 From: karen solheim <ksolheim@hotmail.com> To: ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com <ccdc@clarkedemocrats.com>, ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com <ccdc-nm@clarkedemocrats.com> References: <47837FDE.2010708@charter.net> From the Oconee County Democrats. . . . See below. All are invited to participate. Karen Solheim CCDC Corresponding Secretary ------------------------ The Oconee County Democrats are sponsoring a movie night for local Democrats January 21st at Ciné in Athens. We'll see the fun and thought-provoking movie "Outsourced." Please check the papers for the 7-ish showing. http://www.outsourcedthemovie.com/ From a review in the New York Times: In its modest way, "Outsourced" may be unique: a charming culture-clash roman...

Help clean Oconee County this Saturday! Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com From: sjathome91@yahoo.com Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:08:46 -0800 Subject: [oconee] Sat. Jan. 12 Help Oconee County Democrats keep Oconee clean and beautiful by joining us at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 12, at the Mars Hill Fire Station. We will pick up roadside trash on the mile of road that we adopted. Vests and garbage bags will be provided; bring a pair of work gloves. Hope to see a big crowd this Saturday! The weather is supposed to be much improved. Sarajane Love Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. __._,_.___ Messages in this topic ( 1 ) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages ...