Oconee County, GA Politics

Town of North High Shoals 108 Jefferson Road High Shoals, Ga. 30645 Jeff. D. Thomas Mayor November 16, 2009 Dear Council and Citizens of the Town of North High Shoals: After eighteen plus years of arduous service as mayor of North High Shoals, I have come to the decision that my presence is no longer desired or required. I have remained steadfast to the last concerning my duties, but I now feel that valor and devotion can accomplish nothing that will compensate for the loss of time to my family that would attend the continuance of my services. I will take with me the satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a Merciful God will extend to this council and the citizens of this town His blessings and protection. With an unceasing admiration for the constancy and devotion to this city shown forth by the many town councils which I have presided over, and with a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous ...

On the eve of municipal elections in North High Shoals, once again this tiny town (where 13 votes can win or lose an election) proves to be the center of political intrigue and discontent for Oconee County 2009. The matter of an absentee mayor has festered slowly over the last several year period, as first the silent brother lost his council seat.then the Mayor himself repeatedly threatened and promised to resign, only to constantly change the scenario in which he would consider stepping down. Meanwhile he continues to avoid attending meetings quite successfully blocking a quorum to establish anything. Now would-be outgoing Mayor Jeff Thomas broke his own code of silence to post in the blog of city council member Steve Holzman, which is not anything even attempting to masquerade as official. The following does not constitute an official communication of the Town of North High Shoals for the Town of North High Shoals or anyone acting in the interest of North High Shoals, or does it?...

Very few municipalities have been as amusing or shrouded in mystery and controversy as that of Bogart, Georgia. I have not been to a meeting for quite some time as the powers that be at the Banner-Herald have decided I am not worthy of reporting freelance stories (thanks Melissa and Wayne). Recently resigned Mayor Thomas "Tom" Peavey was always one to get up in former Mayor Jan Thurmond's face when it came to matters involving her son Bret or just about anything involving the softball facility or recreation department. I can recall Peavey going toe to toe with former residents such as Jack Hierholzer and former mayors such as Robin Hoag and city council members such as Woody Bruce over any number of personal and public topics. We can speculate all day long on why Peavey choose to resign but he never struck me as typical leadership material. Peavey seemed to be very blue collar type in a white collar job. I wish the municipality of Bogart well and interim Mayor Terri Glen...

City Council member Tom Peavey defeated incumbent Mayor Jan Thurmond in Bogart 70 votes to 44 to take over the municipal reins of Bogart, Georgia Tuesday evening. Ralph Sheridan and Tonya Wagner also won seats on the city council with 61 and 84 votes respectively. Jack Irvin III, John Larken and Tom Leach were the losers of the race for the two city council seats with 4o votes for Irvin, 31 for Larken and 18 votes for Leach. Sheridan and Wagner are replacing Woody Bruce and Gary Gunter, who decided not to seek re-election. Bogart council meeting are always entertaining with a whole lot more acrimony and constant controversy that your average small town political gatherings. Thurmond, a realtor, rubbed some Bogart residents the wrong way with the appointment of her son Bret as the City Engineer. The council revoked this appointment some months later. She often ruled the meetings somewhat harshly, cutting off citizen comments during the "on the record" part of the meetings. P...

Watkinsville Mayor Jim Luken reversed a previous political retirement announcement by qualifying for office again with a few hours left before today's deadline for his third term as the chief political officer of the Oconee County seat. No opposition was recorded as of 2:30 pm today. Qualifying closed at 4:30 pm Wednesday. Current Mayor Jim Luken changed his mind and will return for another two year go-round as Mayor of the county seat Watkinsville. Two would-be Mayoral candidates apparently backed out at the last second or some 72 hours before the end of qualifying due to personal and residential reasons. One of the mystery would-be candidates was already on the council and the other was a local business owner. Brian Brodrick and John Walsh also re-qualified for their city council seats without apparent opposition. Thank goodness for all of their return to the council and mayoral slots. Watkinsville will continue to have good governance by a diverse and moderate lot. We can contin...