Democratic Party Primary For Congressional District 10 Generating Attention In Oconee County

***Two Candidates Speaking Locally***

The contest for the Democratic Party nomination for Congressional District 10 has become quite visible in recent weeks in Oconee County, as both of the active candidates have appeared before groups, each making the case that she is better able to flip the traditionally Republican district in November.

Lexi Doherty, who represented the party in the contest with incumbent Mike Collins two years ago, appeared before a group organized by residents of Presbyterian Village Athens at the Oconee County Library on Thursday afternoon. Doherty is from Athens-Clarke County.

Oconee County Election Board Asks Gov. Kemp To Call Special Session Of General Assembly To Resolve Issue of QR Code On Election Ballots

***Resolution Went Out On Friday***

The Oconee County Board of Elections and Registration has asked Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special session of the General Assembly to address the unresolved problem with the QR Code used to tabulate election ballots.

Elections and Registration Board Chair Jay Hanley said a copy of a resolution approved by the Board went out on Friday by regular mail and by email.

Oconee County Commissioners Vote To Initiate An Emergency Medical Services Operation, Turn Down Appeal Of Staff Zoning Decision

***EMS Launch Likely By End Of Calendar Year***

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night voted unanimously to create the county’s own Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operation.

In addition to formally making that decision, and in support of it, the Board also voted unanimously to spend $1.1 million for five F-350 Ford trucks and $0.8 million to equip those truck as ambulances.

Citizens At April 16 GDOT Open House Will See Three Alternative Routes For SR 15 Truck Bypass Of Watkinsville

***Plans Differ In Location, Length, Cost***

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has identified three routes for the planned SR 15 truck bypass of Watkinsville that it will present at its Public Information Open House (PIOH) scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on April 16 at the Oconee County Administrative Building, 7635 Macon Highway, north of Watkinsville.

Listed as a First Alternative is a 1.76 mile route that is just south of the city limits of Watkinsville, involves 11 parcels, does not require the displacement of any structure, and has an estimated cost of $22.2 million.

Developer Of Shopping Center At Oconee Connector And Mars Hill Road Has Presented New, Smaller Concept Plan Without Publix

***Plan Is Before Board Of Commissioners On Tuesday***

Deferred Tax LLC will be back before the Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night with its latest plan for development of the 46.9 acres it owns on the Oconee Connector between Mars Hill Road and SR 316 stretching to Virgil Langford Road.

This time, Deferred Tax is proposing a two-building, 26,000 square foot retail center with a restaurant on a 6.8 sub-parcel at the northwest corner of Mars Hill Road and the Connector.

Owner of Walton Tribune Purchases The Oconee Enterprise

***Immediate Change In Staff ***

Patrick Graham, owner of the Walton Tribune, announced on Friday that he has purchased The Oconee Enterprise from Oconee County businessman Mark Martin.

The purchase will take place immediately, and Graham said the Enterprise will not miss an issue.

April 21 Candidate Forum Scheduled For Party Primary Races For State Senate District 46, House District 120 At Oconee County Veterans Park

***Citizens Ask Questions Directly Of Candidates***

A candidate forum for the contested state Senate District 46 and House District 120 races in the May 19 Party Primaries is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on April 21 at the Community Center, Oconee Veterans Park, 3500 Hog Mountain Road, west of Butler’s Crossing.

Voters will have the opportunity to pose questions in one session to Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination for Senate District 46 and in a separate session to the Democrats seeking the party nomination for Senate District 46.