Oconee County, GA Politics

People's pets are an important investment, both emotionally and financially. It sucks big time when they are removed from us with little or no warning. A neighbor of mine flagged me down today after lunch today to tell me that he had been the victim of a hit and run with his pup passing on this morning. Stopped to chat and add as much sympathy as I could from an idling pick-up truck. Come to think of it I did see two girls in a big blue SUV speeding very fast this morning through my subdivision cut through. Did not think anything about it then but I hope they get caught if indeed they are the perpetrators. We might need some speed humps after all in our neighborhood. I think the Mayor Jim Luken would approve if we got a consensus from all those in our subdivision since it is essentially the issue he rode into office as well. There are speed humps on Third street between the ridiculously dangerous Whitehall-Simonton Bridge and the wide Barnett Shoals in Watkinsville where he lives ...

I extend my deepest condolences to the local families and friends of the student killed at the University of North Carolina today and the George Walton Academy student murdered yesterday at Auburn. Any death is awful, but to have a life extinguished on campus when we think someone is safe is exponentially horrendous. The same can be extended to the Drew Marshall family and that of Mark "Microwave" Myrtowitz, for their deaths in recent weeks, even though circumstances may differ greatly, death sadly put things in perspective.

So my former radio boss wrote me to ask if I felt like an asshole over my comments about Dr. Norwood before his death. The answer is no. But thanks for reading Matt. I extend my condolences - whether you believe it is sincere or not - to Dr. Norwood's family and staff. Death is never easy to deal with. It is something we all have to contend with, Republicans, Democrats and independents. St. Peter does not check your party registration at the gates of Heaven, nor does the Devil in Hell. Some people seem to think I will be heading for Hades because of my outspoken nature and comments about Dr. Norwood. The sad thing about this whole escapade is how fast someone's death - not just Dr. Norwood, but Anna Nicole Smith and her baby and everyone else who died recently - goes from mourning to a punch line to a reaction and a backlash. I commend Dr. Norwood's for serving in Vietnam, his life of public service, his unsuccessful battles against the corrupt insurance industry and cancer...

So now that Congressman Norwood has passed, rest in peace, what should we do about setting apart the speculation and trying to figure out who can jump in the race quickest in this Athens to Augusta 10th district. Surely someone will come from Athens such as former Mayor Doc Eldridge, former State Senator and failed Ag Commissioner candidate Brian Kemp and current State Senator Ralph Hudgens. I would like to strongly encourage the Comer solon to start a campaign, because I am pretty sure he would have to resign his current seat in order to run (although I certainly may be wrong about that). Also will the special election be on the same day that Athens-Clarke County voters elect a replacement for States McCarter? Will it be the same day as the recall election in North High Shoals? There will surely be some candidates from Augusta such as R. Terry Holley in the forthcoming non-partisan election that the Governor has to set in the next 10 days.

Despite what some reactionaries have accused me of, I am quite saddened over the death of Congressman Charlie Norwood . My mother died of cancer and I don't believe St. Peter checks what kind of political party you belong to decide if you are worthy of getting in the gates of Heaven. God Bless Dr. Norwood and my condolences to his family. Thank you for serving the State of Georgia, whether or not I may or may not have agreed with your politics.