Little bit about a lot of things - GOP primary edition 2012
Too bad that the First Friday was cancelled last night - lots of people turned out any way and at least a couple of candidates did as well. The OCAF event was packed as usual. So in this first early edition of awards - most tongue in cheek - go to:
Most illegible signs - hands down, Sheriff Scott Berry, the Old West scripted font is quaint and the brown and tan color scheme make them almost impossible to read from a distance of more than a dozen feet. This has also been the only sign to stolen from my yard, and so far unable to replace despite a couple of attempts. I have seen some Berry signs with an extra outer frame that makes them somewhat easily to notice but not necessarily easier to discern the message. Next time get an graphic artist to consult before pulling the trigger on any massive purchase. And to the miscreant who stole my sign and left the metal stand in the grass, may the affluent effluent of a thousand septic tanks fester outside your broken bedroom window.
Most ridiculous waste of police resources - Havery O. Downs, II (or Jr., not certain which) filed a report in which his son's oversized (and hence illegal) campaign sign was swiped from his Cole Springs Road property in Bishop. Just like how Repubicans seemingly ignore all campaign laws (yes you Paul Broun and Chuck Williams) when it comes to placement of yard signs come closer to actual election day, sign swiping is as old as time and an accepted part of the practice. You should stick to my old remedy for this vandalism, if the stinking thieves steal one, put two up the next day (at least 10 feet apart). If two are swiped, put up four the next day (again with the prescribed distance between them). Something tells me the economy is not suffering for the multiple sign manufacturers in the county. I prefer Printz Plus but I know they are not the cheapest, but certainly are the nicest and quickest turn around I have seen. Somehow I think Mr. Downs has easy access to more signs for his yard and I doubt the local Sheriff's Deputies are going to apprehend this particular person or people who committed this misdemeanor. Or use industrial strength zip lines and a well-placed mounted digital hunting camera to catch the perpetrator if it is so important. This is not a good omen of what we would see in a Downs administration as far as police resources allocation is concerned.
Why do you have to do it at the same time department - this goes to both the Oconee County Democratic Committee and Republican Committee for holding their monthly meetings at the exact same time on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. I tried to move the Democratic Committee meeting time, but some of our newest members wanted to keep it where it is. I cannot vouch for, nor would I try to do so, for the Jay Hanley led Republican party and their apparatus, but I know they are being very exacting in their time for candidates to speak to their gathering at the Community Center. The Democratic Committee is basically suspending the formal part of their meeting and opening it up to five minutes to any contested candidate race at the Government Annex at 1291 Greensboro Highway anytime during our next two meetings of June 21 and July 19 for any candidates to come and talk to the voters. You do not have to be a Democrat to attend our meetings. We do not even demand fealty and residence. We have been attempting to register voters of all persuasions at the Farmers Market and other places where people congregate in anticipation of the Primary July 31. You have to be registered by July 2 to be eligible to vote in what has become the de facto general election in Oconee County. So far Chairman Melvin Davis has pledged to attend the next meeting Thursday, June 19th to talk to the Oconee County Democratic Committee, and I think if he takes Morrison Street to Jackson or even Harden Hill to VFW Dr., it might take him all of three minutes to get to the GOP gathering after speaking to the Democratic voters, most of whom will ask for a Republican ballot at the primary at the end of July.
What are the real issues in Oconee County? - the most controversial issue I can find locally right now is whether you support the widening of Mars Hill Road as it is currently slated. The second might be as to whether to support the TSPLOST or not. Third will be split between the old standbys of growth, jobs, taxes, education, that sort of thing that never really goes away or gets resolved to anyone's satisfaction. We are the most employed and by many accounts the wealthiest county in the state, yet we have bank failures and business closings left and right. We rejoiced at the closing of the deal to bring Caterpillar to Bogart and the old Orkin tract, but we shudder at the necessity to expand sanitary sewer and other water needs to that end of the county. We are fixing to get a great meat place at T's Crossing in Striplings and a new movie theater just in time for the end of real celluloid film projection as we know it. The Connector and By-Pass are great, but what is the next step? 316 safety is on everyone's mind. Our children's safety and education are paramount concerns as well. Will we ever connect sidewalks or get bike lanes or paths locally? Who dropped the ball on protecting Elder Mill Covered Bridge and making it a park? How are we going to maintain our rural, agricultural, and artistic needs simultaneously? What about these abandoned unfinished subdivision stub/PVC "farm" ghost towns? Can those revert to hunting or agricultural use? Scratch below the ephemeral veneer and you can find some unvarnished truths needs to be addressed by our leaders.
Most ridiculous reasons NOT to vote for someone - as with all political campaigns, there have been ongoing concerted efforts at besmirching the opponent in no uncertain terms. One hired political consultant hired by a party switcher has even gone so far as to make up fake names in the commenting section of the Athens Banner-Herald to call the sexual persuasion of the opponent into question. Same damn thing happened to me last year. I would like to think that the Oconee electorate is not stupid or gullible enough to swallow this load of crap, but I also recognize the fear and anxiety especially on the right to anything that threatens someone's faith or believes, no matter how misconstrued or misunderstood they may be. There is one member of the Watkinsville City Council who votes against every beer and wine license application of every restaurant and store just because they do not believe we should be able to purchase it locally. There is a vestige of that narrow minded racist mentality locally that might not vote for a certain candidate because of the color of the skin of their loved one, mate or partner. This is utter poppycock as well. I suppose the angry old white people who still do not want any intermingling of races will be for the most part dying off in the next couple of generations, but sadly racism, prejudice and hatred will persist for sometime, most certainly the next election. Of course, those prone to not selecting a candidate based on the color of their partner's skin also might not be apt to support someone who did not arrest their brother fast enough.
Candidate with the least chance of winning - Retired Army officer Stephen Simpson of Milledgeville running against Dr. Paul Broun for the Republican nomination for the 10th Congressional District slot. Of course I would like to see the military man from Milledgeville defeat the Doctor from that Athens slice of Oconee County, but I do not think it will happen in this race. Someday soon I hope Paul Broun will face a well funded articulate advocate for truth and justice and he will be defeated, but I do not see that day today or this election cycle.
Most illegible signs - hands down, Sheriff Scott Berry, the Old West scripted font is quaint and the brown and tan color scheme make them almost impossible to read from a distance of more than a dozen feet. This has also been the only sign to stolen from my yard, and so far unable to replace despite a couple of attempts. I have seen some Berry signs with an extra outer frame that makes them somewhat easily to notice but not necessarily easier to discern the message. Next time get an graphic artist to consult before pulling the trigger on any massive purchase. And to the miscreant who stole my sign and left the metal stand in the grass, may the affluent effluent of a thousand septic tanks fester outside your broken bedroom window.
Most ridiculous waste of police resources - Havery O. Downs, II (or Jr., not certain which) filed a report in which his son's oversized (and hence illegal) campaign sign was swiped from his Cole Springs Road property in Bishop. Just like how Repubicans seemingly ignore all campaign laws (yes you Paul Broun and Chuck Williams) when it comes to placement of yard signs come closer to actual election day, sign swiping is as old as time and an accepted part of the practice. You should stick to my old remedy for this vandalism, if the stinking thieves steal one, put two up the next day (at least 10 feet apart). If two are swiped, put up four the next day (again with the prescribed distance between them). Something tells me the economy is not suffering for the multiple sign manufacturers in the county. I prefer Printz Plus but I know they are not the cheapest, but certainly are the nicest and quickest turn around I have seen. Somehow I think Mr. Downs has easy access to more signs for his yard and I doubt the local Sheriff's Deputies are going to apprehend this particular person or people who committed this misdemeanor. Or use industrial strength zip lines and a well-placed mounted digital hunting camera to catch the perpetrator if it is so important. This is not a good omen of what we would see in a Downs administration as far as police resources allocation is concerned.
Why do you have to do it at the same time department - this goes to both the Oconee County Democratic Committee and Republican Committee for holding their monthly meetings at the exact same time on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. I tried to move the Democratic Committee meeting time, but some of our newest members wanted to keep it where it is. I cannot vouch for, nor would I try to do so, for the Jay Hanley led Republican party and their apparatus, but I know they are being very exacting in their time for candidates to speak to their gathering at the Community Center. The Democratic Committee is basically suspending the formal part of their meeting and opening it up to five minutes to any contested candidate race at the Government Annex at 1291 Greensboro Highway anytime during our next two meetings of June 21 and July 19 for any candidates to come and talk to the voters. You do not have to be a Democrat to attend our meetings. We do not even demand fealty and residence. We have been attempting to register voters of all persuasions at the Farmers Market and other places where people congregate in anticipation of the Primary July 31. You have to be registered by July 2 to be eligible to vote in what has become the de facto general election in Oconee County. So far Chairman Melvin Davis has pledged to attend the next meeting Thursday, June 19th to talk to the Oconee County Democratic Committee, and I think if he takes Morrison Street to Jackson or even Harden Hill to VFW Dr., it might take him all of three minutes to get to the GOP gathering after speaking to the Democratic voters, most of whom will ask for a Republican ballot at the primary at the end of July.
What are the real issues in Oconee County? - the most controversial issue I can find locally right now is whether you support the widening of Mars Hill Road as it is currently slated. The second might be as to whether to support the TSPLOST or not. Third will be split between the old standbys of growth, jobs, taxes, education, that sort of thing that never really goes away or gets resolved to anyone's satisfaction. We are the most employed and by many accounts the wealthiest county in the state, yet we have bank failures and business closings left and right. We rejoiced at the closing of the deal to bring Caterpillar to Bogart and the old Orkin tract, but we shudder at the necessity to expand sanitary sewer and other water needs to that end of the county. We are fixing to get a great meat place at T's Crossing in Striplings and a new movie theater just in time for the end of real celluloid film projection as we know it. The Connector and By-Pass are great, but what is the next step? 316 safety is on everyone's mind. Our children's safety and education are paramount concerns as well. Will we ever connect sidewalks or get bike lanes or paths locally? Who dropped the ball on protecting Elder Mill Covered Bridge and making it a park? How are we going to maintain our rural, agricultural, and artistic needs simultaneously? What about these abandoned unfinished subdivision stub/PVC "farm" ghost towns? Can those revert to hunting or agricultural use? Scratch below the ephemeral veneer and you can find some unvarnished truths needs to be addressed by our leaders.
Most ridiculous reasons NOT to vote for someone - as with all political campaigns, there have been ongoing concerted efforts at besmirching the opponent in no uncertain terms. One hired political consultant hired by a party switcher has even gone so far as to make up fake names in the commenting section of the Athens Banner-Herald to call the sexual persuasion of the opponent into question. Same damn thing happened to me last year. I would like to think that the Oconee electorate is not stupid or gullible enough to swallow this load of crap, but I also recognize the fear and anxiety especially on the right to anything that threatens someone's faith or believes, no matter how misconstrued or misunderstood they may be. There is one member of the Watkinsville City Council who votes against every beer and wine license application of every restaurant and store just because they do not believe we should be able to purchase it locally. There is a vestige of that narrow minded racist mentality locally that might not vote for a certain candidate because of the color of the skin of their loved one, mate or partner. This is utter poppycock as well. I suppose the angry old white people who still do not want any intermingling of races will be for the most part dying off in the next couple of generations, but sadly racism, prejudice and hatred will persist for sometime, most certainly the next election. Of course, those prone to not selecting a candidate based on the color of their partner's skin also might not be apt to support someone who did not arrest their brother fast enough.
Candidate with the least chance of winning - Retired Army officer Stephen Simpson of Milledgeville running against Dr. Paul Broun for the Republican nomination for the 10th Congressional District slot. Of course I would like to see the military man from Milledgeville defeat the Doctor from that Athens slice of Oconee County, but I do not think it will happen in this race. Someday soon I hope Paul Broun will face a well funded articulate advocate for truth and justice and he will be defeated, but I do not see that day today or this election cycle.
Comments