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Becky Vaughn era comes to an end for Oconee Democrats

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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...

Ga Theater Pictures

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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>> ...

Help Preserve the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission

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...

Oconee Democrats Regular Monthly Meeting, 6/18/2009, 7:00 pm

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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 ...

FW: Show at Ashford Manor on Monday 6/22

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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...

North Oconee in Newsweek top ranks | News | OnlineAthens.com

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

Oconee resident Rachel O'Neal's Upcoming Show Dates

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 am a proud Georgia who wasted the NRA's time this morning

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...

Could the government be criminally negligent for not letting us know about BRAG coming here?

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.

The forward for this book was co-written by someone from Watkinsville

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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.

Someone pedaled flat in Oconee County government on BRAG

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...

New Watkinsville homes book by Albert Ward's for sale at Elizabeth Ann's Flower Shop

From: Bill Yarbrough < eaflst@bellsouth.net > Date: June 3, 2009 10:10:41 AM EDT Albert Ward (Roy's brother) has written a book about the homes in Watkinsville. He just had it bound yesterday and will drop some by our flower shop today for sale. This is very nicely done and may be of interest to any of the Saturday tours. We will have them for sale for $26.50. The entire amount will go to the Watkinsville Cemetery Fund.     Bill Yarbrough 1121 Creek Bridge Drive Watkinsville, GA 30677 eaflst@bellsouth. net Cell - 706.540.2178

Hypothetically speaking would you rather go on a tour of homes or historic businesses or churches

Just wondering what people would like to learn about Watkinsville's history or just check out some nice houses. How about a pottery tour? Or maybe the restaurants while we still have them? What would you want to learn more about? Please let me know. Would you want to walk or be on bike or have someone lead you in a golf cart while you walk? Would you want to learn about the evolution of places of commerce?

Thank You from Maison Bleu Restaurant

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Sad day in Oconee County restaurant history. For the longest time the local newpspaper seemed to want to push the door closed on them a bit prematurely, but I am ashamed to admit I only ate there a half dozen times over the years. Please give your fondest Maison Blue memories in the comments section if you would be so kind. It will help my friend Amanda cope at the very least. From: amandahobe@bellsouth.net Date: June 2, 2009 7:28:48 PM EDT To: soxfanrpw@gmail.com (Rob Wilson), absaff@yahoo.com (Trina Saffold), bgilmore@heywardallen.net (Bill Gilmore), natfretwell@yahoo.com (Natalie Fretwell), DSJKEB@aol.com (Kim Birkett), tberding@yahoo.com (Terry Berding), beverlybeltran@hotmail.com (Bev Beltran), danjmatt@bellsouth.net (Dan) Subject: FW: Thank You from Maison Bleu Restaurant Heartbroken is the only thing I can say -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: alana miller < alana@maison-bleu.com > To: amandahobe@bellsouth.net Subject: Thank You from Mais...

Scenes from a political garbage pick up competition

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Here are some of the pictures I took this morning from the garbage clean up in the city of Watkinsville which was dreamed up by Mayor Jim Luken as a means to foster some friendly political competition between Republicans, Democrats and Independents inside the city limits. Sadly there are lots of pockets of garbage remaining off the main thoroughfares, but that is for another day. For an hour on a warm Saturday morning, more than fifty people who participated in the clean up of every stripe and direction Some of the people who picked up free coffee from Jittery Joe's this morning after cleaning up garbage in the city limits. My son Lowell picking up garbage on Barnett Shoals in Watkinsville this morning. We started out at 8:30 at the church near Chairman Veit's house at Calls Creek, then drove on Norton Road and started picking up garbage at the sides of the road on Barnett Shoals. Picked up a couple of odd items ranging from a photo of people kissing to several parts of hubca...

From Mayor Jim Luken: Watkinsville Political Clean-up

The latest on the litter political picker uppers tomorrow morning Begin forwarded message: From: "Jonathan R. Veit" < jveit@bellsouth.net > Date: May 29, 2009 6:52:32 PM EDT To: " oconeedemocrats@yahoogroups.com " < oconeedemocrats@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [oconeedemocrats] From Mayor Jim Luken: Watkinsville Political Clean-up Reply-To: oconeedemocrats@yahoogroups.com From:   Jim Luken <mayor@cityofwatkins ville.com> Date:   Fri, 29 May 2009 16:42:39 -0400 Conversation:   Watkinsville Political Clean-up Subject:   Watkinsville Political Clean-up We've had a good response to the Watkinsville "Political Clean-up" of the main arteries transiting the City.     Matt Adair and his group have been the last to join and will cover Experiment Station Road and hopefully Greensboro Highway.  Peggy Holcomb reinforced by Councilman Mike Link will cover North Main Street. Jonathan Veit and the Obamas will cover Simonton Bridge Road and hopefully ...

Help us clean up Watkinsville this Saturday morning

You do not have to live in Watkinsville or even Oconee County to help us pick up litter this Saturday. If you are one to want to help the Democratic leaning lifters of garbage, you may gather at Chairman Jonathan Veit's house in Calls Creek subdivision (actually just outside Watkinsville city limits on Simonton Bridge Road/Whitehall Road entrance to Watkinsville at 8:30 am. This is near Veit's house and you can call him at 706-255-0222 or email gridirongazette@bellsouth.net or you can pick up debris in your own neighborhood if need be. This is from an email sent out by Veit earlier this week. What: Watkinsville Litter Pick-up. When: Saturday, May 30th, from 9 - 10 am (Coffee at Jittery Joe's to follow.) Where: Gather at the entrance to Calls Creek Estates, which is on Simonton Bridge Road. Park at the Watkinsville First Baptist Church, 1610 Simonton Bridge Road. Calls Creek Estates is directly across the street from the church. From Veit's house, or possibly on my own ...

Open House & Sale at Chappelle Gallery

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Kathy and Jerry Chappelle are great people deserving of our support, so please attend their sale.  They have done more for Watkinsville and Oconee County tourism than any government agency. Yes, they even bought commercials on my old talk radio show on NewsTalk 1340 WGAU AM back on Friday mornings. They have interesting art, they support Georgian artists and they have put their money where their mouths are time and time again. We need to support the arts in the Artland of Georgia, and there is no better place to start then the Chappelle's gallery on historic Main Street in Watkinsville. I guarantee they will have something interesting for you to ponder and perhaps purchase. Get up off your lazy arse and down to Chappelle Gallery. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.   Hope to see you there.   Kathy & Jerry

Farmington Community meeting & BOC news

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Farmington deserves our support. Please attend this meeting Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at the Farmington Community Center. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 09:07:23 -0700 From: southoconee@yahoo.com Subject: Farmington Community meeting & BOC news To: aglenn@uga.edu Hello all, A Farmington Community meeting has been called for next Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Farmington Community Center. My understanding is that the main objective of the meeting is to address how the Farmington Community Center is currently managed and operated.  That's all I know at the moment. Since this facility is used by many individuals and groups throughout Oconee County, I encourage everyone to attend if possible. On another note, many of you may be interested in reading Lee Becker's current blog post concerning recent county government meetings that occurred without required public notice. http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/ Regards, Tony Glenn

Watkinsville trash clean up Saturday 9-10 am

Dear Oconee Democrats: Several of you have emailed that you will not be able to make the Watkinsville Litter Pick-Up (Details below) because of travel or prior commitments. Of course I am completely sympathetic. But I want to remind Oconee Democrats and people in Oconee County who are sympathetic with democratic causes that this is an opportunity for the local news media and the unaffiliated groups who will be participating to make a direct comparison between the Republicans and us. This is why I would like to encourage anyone and everyone who does not have a prior commitment to spend an hour on Saturday morning picking up trash along Simonton Bridge/White Hall Road. You do not have to be a resident of Watkinsville. Heck, you do not even have to be a resident of Oconee County. You simply have to be somebody who cares about making a show of Democratic strength in a Republican-dominated county, and who cares about the environment. I am not normally so gung-ho in my solicitations, but I s...