Oconee County, GA Politics

Bear seen wandering around Watkinsville || OnlineAthens.com

Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:40:41 -0700 From: oconeefm@yahoo.com Subject: Oconee Farmers Market To: oconeefm@yahoo.com This week we will have cinnamon rolls, fresh homemade breads and biscotti as well as granola!! There will be homemade cakes and assorted pastries as well as blueberry pie , peach pie, sweet potato pie , pecan pie , banana-nut bread, snickerdoodle cookies, apple-pecan muffins and whoopie pies . Delicious pound cakes and zucchini bran muffins . We will have fresh locally grown herbs, edible flowers , eggplant, zucchini, peppers, greens, lettuce, red cabbage , radishes, green tomatoes, green onions , spinach, squash , yellow onions and boiled or fried peanuts and pork skins. Don't forget about our farm fresh eggs and Johnson Dairy Milk !! We will have ornamental plants , transplant-able vegetables, blooming perennials and annuals, hanging baskets , potted flowers and fresh cut flowers . Hea

Here in the heavily Republican Oconee County, the G.O.P. primary is tantamount to a general election in many instances. For this reason this lifelong liberal Democratic party supporter and activist has chosen to select the Republican primary ballot for the last several primary election cycles so as to have at least a smidgen of influence on local governance. I always try to vote on the first day of advance voting as to provide some insight as a public service. I may be a bit too proud about any supposed impact on the general election, but there are some very germane and general observations that can be made. Tammy Gilland has run the most professional and thorough campaign I have ever seen in Oconee County. She has mailed out slick postcards, she has probably jogged on every street that can be run, and she has done an excellent job of introducing herself to voters in Waktinsville and Bogart. She speaks her mind and has addressed the perception that she is somehow Board of Commissio

During the Watkinsville City Council meeting last night, planner Nina Butler of the NE Georgia Regional Commission (after an introduction from the Mayor Joe Walter) revealed that the city government has been in negotiations with an unnamed property owner to acquire an additional eight acres of property that would essentially double the size of the Harris Shoals Park. While it would be extremely premature to celebrate the expansion of the crown jewel in the city park, the talk did demonstrate the many ideas and actions that the NEGRC can do for municipalities in this area. She discussed mapping the area's greenways and blueways during her presentation before the City Council and made some suggestions for the city as possible expansions and acquisitions occur.

Mayor Joe Walter of Watkinsville presents the sign and certificate of David and Melissa Martin and their two young children the Beautiful Yard award for the month of June, 2010 at the beginning of the City Coucil meeting last night at the Watkinsville Community Center.  They live off Village Circle in the newest subdivision inside the city limits.

A semi-packed house at the Oconee Veterans Park heard from sets of candidates from the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, Board of Education and House of Representatives District 113 Wednesday evening. Hosts Lee Becker and Russ Page did a fine job keeping the audience members' questions brief and the candidates answers succinct (or at least under two minutes). Lisa Davol of the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department may have been the most valuable member of the support crew, seamlessly providing a wireless microphone and sound system so that the members of the audience could hear in the rear of the rather chilly room. Why the people in this crowded house were seated more in the back rather than in the front row is anybody's guess, but kudos to the OCRD and people putting this on for adapting to the audience's whims. It was also good to see some different faces in the audience this time then from the Chamber of Commerce forum a few days before at the spacious N

Friend -- OFA's Vote 2010 Kick-Off last weekend was a huge success. From folks knocking on doors in the rain in Mississippi, to volunteers making phone calls in California, and volunteers collecting pledge cards in a coffee shop in Tennessee, the energy was incredible. Thousands of people across the country got their friends, neighbors, and fellow volunteers to pledge to vote this fall. First-time voters from Maine to Oregon signed commitments that they would turn out again in November. In Kansas City, Mattye spoke about why she was canvassing: "The President can't come down here to do the work for us -- we've got to fight for what we believe in and hold onto the progress we've obtained." Charlie in Chicago explained why reaching out to voters works so well: "One advantage that I have as an ordinary person is that I can relate to other ordinary people. I am the message. People like me are the message. If they look at me and think, 'If

AGENDA CITY OF WATKINSVILLE June 9, 2010   CALL TO ORDER QUORUM CHECK WATKINSVILLE BEAUTIFUL YARD AWARD PRESENTATION MINUTES 1.   May 12, 2010 2.   May 24, 2010 Called Meeting SPECIAL GUESTS             1.  Hank Huckaby             2.   Tammy Gilland APPEARANCES 1.  Joseph Kurien – business license – Perfect Gift – 24C Greensboro Highway 2.  Carol Dianne Gay – business license – Treasures N Trinkets – 210 Marshall Drive 3.  Luke Bishop – building permit – 40x100 warehouse – 1360 Greensboro Highway 4.   Nina Butler and John Devine – NEGA Regional Commission     ADMINISTRATION 1.                   May 31, 2010 Reconciliation Reports – General Fund and SPLOST MAYOR’S REPORT CITIZEN’S COMMENTS OLD BUSINESS 1.  Consider FY2011 Budget 2.   Public Hearing 2 & Consideration – Ethics Ordinance 3.   Public Hearing 2 & Consideration – Beer & Wine Pouring Ordinance Amendment 4.   Consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Art Studio in Simonton Bridge Scenic Corridor NEW BUS

The Secretary of State nomination race on the G.O.P. side is getting more and more wacky and weird by the moment. Kemp’s supporters say opponent using intimidation tactics | jacksonville.com

Nothing like learning about invasive species of plants to start your Saturday morning in Harris Shoals Park Native plants invade discussion || OnlineAthens.com

6-8-10 Georgia & Oconee County Election Info 2010

gainesvilletimes.com - Musicians, others try to help from the homefront

Begin forwarded message: From: Fred Johnson < ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com > Date: June 7, 2010 9:33:49 PM EDT To: Fred Johnson < ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com > Subject: TONHS Carepackages for Troops Support our local Soldiers – Part II   Dear Fellow High Shoalers and   Oconee   Residents,   Back in November, we as a town, set out to send a care package to two soldiers from our town, Brett Thomas and Tim Kraeling, who were both serving in   Afghanistan .   The Community responded in such an awesome way, we were actually able to ship 14 boxes of "goodies" off in time for the Christmas holidays.     These items were very well received by Tim and Brett and also helped to bless many other soldiers in their respective units.     In fact, Lt. Thomas actually came to a recent council meeting to thank the town on behalf of his unit!     We decided, as we finished the Christmas project that it would be a great idea to do the same type of thing 2-3 times a year other than just

Go to this show this evening if you can -- Subject: Ashford Manor Tonight Hi, everyone. Hope you'll plan on coming out to Ashford Manor tonight in Watkinsville for the Concerts on the Lawn series. I'll be playing and opening set from 6:00 - 6:45 and The Corduroy Road will take the stage from 7:00 - 9:00. Bring a picnic, your friends and family! Rachel

Meanwhile over in Athens, my friend and Winterville resident Farley Jones announces for District 1 Commissioner slot Subject: announcement: Candidate for ACC District 1 Commission for 2010 Dear Friends and Family; With considerable thought on the matter for several months, I have decided to run as a candidate for Athens-Clarke County Commissioner,  District 1.  I want to tell you first - before it is announced in the papers, etc.  When you go to our web site:  www.FarleyJones.Info , please note on the Home Page, my explanation of having no Paypal or similar Contribution link.  It is short and to the point.  And for several reasons, not just the one.  As a dues paying member of Georgia Conservancy and Georgia Public Broadcasting, and other entities that I contribute to yearly, I understand it may be difficult to contribute beyond what one might in a given year - for personal or economic reasons. No matter; I simply ask for your support in a way you are able.  Whether it is forwardi

Rural Democrats grab candidates' attention || OnlineAthens.com

Schools eye lean budgets || OnlineAthens.com

For the GOP, spill no reason not to drill || OnlineAthens.com

Candidate forum set Wednesday in park || OnlineAthens.com