Sunday, December 27, 2015

Oconee County Issues Building Permit For Fifth Restaurant In Epps Bridge Centre

Grove Burgers

Oconee County’s Code Enforcement Office has issued a building permit for the build out of unit 510 of Epps Bridge Centre for Groove Burgers, which will become the fifth restaurant in the shopping center.

Work on the restaurant has begun and should be completed by Jan. 10, according to the permit, issued on Dec. 16.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Oconee County SPLOST Report Shows $9.2 Million In Unspent Funds From 2004 and 2009 Tax Collections

SPLOST 2015 Underway

Oconee County was sitting on $9.2 million in unspent funds in its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax accounts on June 30, three months before the 2009 tax came to an end, according to the annual report the county is required to publish by the end of the month.

The money includes $3.6 million in collected but unspent revenue from the 2004 SPLOST and $5.6 million from the 2009 SPLOST, which went into effect in September of 2009 when the 2004 SPLOST expired.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Oconee County Legislators Said They Expect The Upcoming Session Of The General Assembly To Be Brief

It’s An Election Year

The upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly likely will be brief, because 2016 is an election year and the legislators want to get home to campaign.

Two topics the legislators are likely to deal with are education and casino gambling.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Oconee County Sounding Board On U.S. 441 Widening And Bishop Bypass To Meet Tuesday

Open To Public

The newly appointed Sounding Board on the widening of U.S. 441 and construction of a bypass of Bishop is set to hold its first meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Community Center, 4951 U.S. 441 in Bishop.

Attendees will include legislators, Georgia Department of Transportation officials, and 441 Sounding Board members, according to an announcement released by Oconee County Clerk Jane Greathouse early this afternoon and now on the county web site.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman Says More Information Needed Regarding U.S. 441 Widening But Withholds Maps Of Project

No Web Presence

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis last night refused to put onto the county website maps that the George Department of Transportation provided him in June showing the route under review for the widening of U.S. 441 and construction of the Bishop bypass.

Davis took that action following a request by Carole Ludwig, one of the landowners in the area, that the county and GDOT be more forthcoming in providing information about the project.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman To Unveil His “Sounding Board” For U.S. 441 Widening and Bishop Bypass Project

Follow To June Meeting

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis is asking his fellow commissioners tomorrow night to approve of his selection of an eight-member “Sounding Board” for the planned widening of U.S. 441 and construction of a bypass of Bishop.

At least two of those Davis has designed as members of the citizen group have property likely to be impacted by the road construction. Two others are members of the county’s Citizen Advisory Committee for Land Use and Transportation Planning, which the BOC appoints.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Oconee County Planning Commission To Consider Request To Bring Hots BBQ and Reception Hall Into Zoning Compliance

Historic Sites

The Oconee County Planning Commission tomorrow night will consider taking steps to bring Hot Thomas Bar-B-Que, a famous south Oconee family restaurant operating since 1984, into compliance with Oconee County zoning ordinances.

It also will consider plans to make a more recently opened reception hall in a historic seed house next door to an existing cotton gin consistent with current land use laws.

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

GDOT Told Bidders For Engineering Design Services For U.S. 441 Widening And Bishop Bypass In Oconee County That It Needed A Validation Of Existing Plans

Revision Possible

While representatives of the Georgia Department of Transportation last week emphasized the lack of firm plans for the future route of a widened U.S. 441 in southern Oconee County, the Request for Qualifications issued late last year for engineering design services presents at least a slightly different picture.

Brad Saxon, assistant state program delivery engineer for GDOT, told a gathering of citizens at Oconee Veterans Park on Nov. 30 that “we do not have a preferred alignment” for the route and “we are starting work anew.”

Friday, December 04, 2015

Farmland Protection Was A Central Theme Of Oconee County Citizen Group Meeting Regarding U.S. 441 Widening and Bishop Bypass

Stay Organized

When given the opportunity to speak on Thursday night, Carole Ludwig, 1510 Old Farmington Road, outside Bishop, seized it quickly.

“Yea, I want to talk,” Ludwig told the more than 40 people assembled at the Oconee County Library in Watkinsville to discuss the proposed widening of U.S. 441 and construction of a bypass of Bishop.

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Crowd At Regional Transportation Authority Meeting Concerned About Possible Route Of U.S. 441 From Watkinsville To County Line

Technical Matter

The meeting on Monday night was on a technical issue involving funding for the widening of U.S. 441 and construction of a Bishop bypass, but the more than 30 people who crammed the room had a broader range of concerns.

Sherry McDuffie, planner with the Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS), anticipated those concerns, and she told the group at the beginning of what was billed as a drop-in session that she didn’t have information on the future route or other matters.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Boswell Properties Finally Placed Its Sign At SR 316 And Oconee Connector In Location Specified By Its Permit From Oconee County

Twice Removed

It has taken more than two years, but Boswell Properties finally has gotten its sign for property it is listing at the corner of SR 316 and the Oconee Connector into compliance with Oconee County’s sign ordinance.

The sign now is located between SR 316 and Mars Hill Road on the Oconee Connector at the location specified in the permit the county issued to Boswell properties on Aug. 22, 2013, and the sign is the size specified in the permit.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

MACORTS, Citizen Group Holding Meetings on U.S. 441 Widening and Bishop Bypass

Vote To Reject Federal Funding

The Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS) is holding a public hearing from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday as a required step in removing the widening of U.S. 441 and construction of the Bishop bypass from the constraints of federal funding for the road project.

The meeting will be held in the Community Center at Oconee Veterans Park, 3500 Hog Mountain Road.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Has Revised Animal Control Ordinance On Agenda For Tuesday Night

Tethering Not Addressed

Oconee County’s Animal Control Ordinance is on the agenda for discussion at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday night, but one of the most controversial aspects of that ordinance is not scheduled for consideration.

The Board is to discuss minor modifications to the existing ordinance to bring it into alignment with changes to the state regulations controlling treatment of animals.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Oconee County Consultant Says Mars Hill Road Widening Will Adversely Affect Existing Homeowners Along The Corridor

Will Want To Leave

Oconee County consultant Bill Ross offered a sympathetic but decidedly negative view of the future for home owners fronting on Mars Hill Road once the widening project is complete in March of 2018.

The increased traffic is going to make it unattractive for people to stay in their houses, Ross told the Citizens Advisory Committee on Land Use and Transportation Planning on Nov. 10.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Oconee County Released Animal Cruelty Citation Against Broadlands Drive Resident Charged With Shooting Cats

Cats In Trash Container

Oconee County Animal Control on Thursday of last week cited Douglas Lanier Orr, 69, 1430 Broadlands Drive, east of Watkinsville, for the misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, according to the incident report released by the county early today.

The citation results from an investigation on Tuesday during which Animal Control found five cats in a trash container at the front of Orr’s house in Broadlands subdivision, off Simonton Bridge Road, according to the incident report.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Oconee County Planning Commission To Hear Rezone Request For Corporate Campus For Zaxby’s

Daniells Bridge Road Site

The Oconee County Planning Commission tomorrow night will review plans for a $42 million corporate campus on Daniells Bridge Road that will provide a new headquarters for Zaxby’s.

The plans are for a complex with up to five buildings on a 90-acre tract on the south side of Daniells Bridge Road just east of its intersection with the Oconee Connector and Mars Hill Road.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Report of Shooting Of Cats In Oconee County Subdivision Produced Strong Reaction From Animal Advocates

Records Withheld

An incident Tuesday involving the apparent shooting of cats in Broadlands subdivision east of Watkinsville stirred strong responses among local animal advocates, a reaction made worse by the county’s unwillingness to release information about the event.

Both Animal Control and the Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident, but only the Sheriff’s Office provided any information about what happened.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Board Votes To Move Forward With Construction Of Apalachee River Intake Facility

Water Not Needed Now

The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board finds itself in a difficult position.

The reservoir in southeast Walton County is filling quite nicely, the Board was told at its meeting late last month.

Sunday, November 08, 2015

Oconee County Administrative Officer Takes Responsibility For Spending $10,000 On Road Design, But Says Chairman Knew Of Costs

Contradicts Chair’s Explanation

Oconee County Administrative Officer Jeff Benko said he was the one who authorized the spending of nearly $10,000 in design costs to allow for a reconnection of Old Mars Hill Road with Mars Hill Road proper.

Benko said he was responding to a request from Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis “to get a firm estimate “ of the costs for reconnecting Old Mars Hill Road to Mars Hill Road.

Saturday, November 07, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman Inquired About Animal Shelter Operated By Citizen After She Filed An Ethics Complaint Against Him

We Care

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis called the owner of the property where Sarah Bell plans to locate her We Care animal shelter one week after Special Master James Warnes dismissed Bell’s ethics complaint against Davis.

Davis inquired about the animal shelter, according to Debra Brown, who owns the land in the western part of the county where Bell is renovating a building for her We Care facility.

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Turn Down A Rezone Request By One Of Their Own

RV Storage Facility Planned

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 last night to deny fellow commissioner William “Bubber” Wilkes’ request to rezone six acres of land he owns on Old Greensboro Road south of Watkinsville for a recreational vehicle storage and mini-warehouse facility.

Commissioners John Daniell and Mark Saxon voted for the denial of the rezone request. Commissioner Jim Luke voted against the motion to deny.

Monday, November 02, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Discussed In Executive Session Property Needed For Greenspace Project Along Oconee River

Chair Sent Email

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners decided in executive session last week to begin discussions with the owners of two key pieces of property needed to create a recreational greenspace along the Oconee River at Barnett Shoals.

BOC Chairman Melvin Davis sent an email message to the county’s Citizen Advisory Committee on Recreational Affairs Chairwoman Leslie Hunsinger on Wednesday informing her of the Commission action of the night before.

Sunday, November 01, 2015

Oconee County Commissioner Asking His Colleagues To Allow A Rezone Of His Property Despite Conflict With County’s Land Use Map

Cites Financial Reasons

The members of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners will be in the uncomfortable position on Tuesday evening of having to decide if a fellow commissioner should be allowed to rezone his agricultural property for commercial development.

The three voting commissioners have good reasons to turn down the request by Commissioner William “Bubber” Wilkes.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Two Incumbent Commissioners Considering Running For Chair Position In Oconee County

Davis Is Key

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis is at center stage as the county orients itself for next year’s Board of Commissioners elections.

Davis, who is 75, has until noon on March 11 to decide if he wants to seek a fifth term as a party candidate or until noon on July 1 should he choose to run as an independent.

Friday, October 30, 2015

GDOT Will Build Bishop Bypass And Widen U.S. 441 In Oconee County Without Federal Funds To Speed Up Construction

Decision Called Political

The Georgia Department of Transportation has decided to build the bypass of Bishop and widen U.S. 441 from the Morgan County line to Watkinsville entirely with state funds, bypassing the normal processes associated with federal highway funding.

That decision moves the timetable forward so that project engineering will begin in 2019 and right of way acquisition and actual construction is now slated for 2022.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Delay Effort By Chairman To Assert Power On Human Resources

Until Next Week

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis’ attempt to get himself named as an equal to county Administrative Officer Jeff Benko in the county’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures manual ran into opposition last night.

Commissioner John Daniell, in a methodical analysis of the 42-page document, asserted repeatedly that the reference to the chair should be removed in all but one place to leave Benko as the person in charge of administration of the policies spelled out in the document.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners To Consider Human Resources Policy That Would Strengthen The Power Of The Chairman

Document Not Released

The public and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners will get an overview tomorrow night of a revised Human Resources policy document that solidifies the power of the chairman of the Board of Commissioners in terms of job classification, pay, dismissals and other personnel matters.

Contrary to the Organizational Policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners in August of 2009, the document makes the chair of the Board of Commissioners and the county administrative officer equals in key personnel matters.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Oconee County Chairman Davis Distancing Himself From Decision To Spend $10,000 On Design Work For Old Mars Hill Road

Blames Others

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis has taken steps to distance himself from the county’s decision to spend nearly $10,000 for design work to reconnect Old Mars Hill Road to Mars Hill Road proper.

That is true even though Davis has been exonerated of any wrongdoing for his involvement in the proposal under the county’s ethics ordinance and although the email correspondence indicates Davis initiated the discussion more than a year ago and has been involved from that point forward.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Oconee County Development Authority Contemplating How To Spend Future Sales Tax Money

Likes Sewers

Oconee County voters cut a nearly blank check for $850,000 to the Oconee County Industrial Development Authority when they approved the 2015 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax last November.

The language on the resolution for the 2015 SPLOST merely said the money should be used for “Economic Development Facilities,” and the voters, probably without giving it much thought, accepted the deal.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Oconee County Recreational Affairs Committee Endorses Greenway Project Along Oconee River

Recommendation to BOC

The Oconee County Citizen Advisory Committee on Recreational Affairs reversed course on Tuesday evening and voted to recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it move forward with a greenway project along the Oconee River at Barnett Shoals.

The Recreational Affairs Committee said the BOC should begin negotiations with two key landowners over easements and use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue for securing public access to the property.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Special Master Rejects Citizen Complaint Against Oconee County Commission Chairman

Evidence Lacking

Oconee County Special Master James Warnes has rejected the complaint filed by Sarah Bell against Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis, saying that Bell had not provided evidence of a violation of the Ethics Ordinance establishing standards for county commissioners

“This report should terminate this matter,” Warnes wrote in a letter he sent to Michael Pruett, standing in for County Attorney Daniel Haygood, who has been out of town.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Called Meeting Of Oconee County Recreational Affairs Committee To Reconsider Greenway Along Oconee River At Barnett Shoals

Part Of Larger Project

The Oconee County Citizen Advisory Committee on Recreational Affairs is holding a called meeting at 5 p.m. tomorrow in the Community Center at Veterans Park to reconsider a proposed greenway along the Oconee River near the Barnett Shoals Dam.

In July, the Advisory Committee turned down a recommendation of a joint subcommittee that the county use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue to purchase easements on two key properties along both sides of the river that would be the centerpieces of the greenway.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Oconee County Issued Permit For New Office Building On Daniells Bridge Road

East of ITS Building

Construction crews last week began assembling equipment and materials in preparation for pouring the foundation for another two-story office building that will be part of the University Parkway Office and Technology Park at 2500 Daniells Bridge Road.

The building will join two others under construction in the quickly-developing area around the Oconee Connector, SR 316 and Virgil Langford Road.

One of those, a storage facility complex of two three-story buildings, is visible across SR 316 from near the site of the office building to be constructed on Daniells Bridge Road.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Citizen Bell Refiled Her Ethics Complaint Against Oconee County Chairman Davis, Charging Interference With County Work

Email Documents Submitted

Sarah Bell on Monday morning refiled her complaint against Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis charging violations of the county’s ethics ordinance.

Bell contends Davis violated several provisions of the code when the county spent, at Davis' initiative, nearly $10,000 for design work for the reconnection of Old Mars Hill Road with Mars Hill Road itself.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Oconee County To Hold A Hearing On A Landfill, Discuss An Overlay District, Consider Zoning For A Business Park–All On Tuesday

Landfill Permit Denied

Oconee County is holding three meetings on Tuesday dealing with a permit for the county’s inert landfill, the Mars Hill Road Overlay District, and a rezone request for a business park at the corner of the U.S. 441 bypass and New High Shoals Road.

Two of the meetings actually overlap.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman Attempting To Put Himself At Center Of Email Flow In County

Despite Organization Chart

At a meeting of Oconee County Department heads on Sept. 9, Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis took a bold step to attempt to change the impact of the county’s organizational chart.

Davis said that the county is “making some adjustments in our procedures,” according to notes Davis made of the meeting.

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Oconee County Animal Control Board Heard About Citizen Concerns Near End of Three-Hour Meeting

New Facility Needed

When the six members of the Oconee County Animal Control Advisory Board began their meeting last night, they were facing an audience of nearly 30 people in a small, overly warm room at the Community Center in Veterans Park.

A few people drifted in and out as the nearly three-hour meeting progressed, but when the Advisory Board let the citizens speak at two hours and 20 minutes into the meeting, 25 people were still present.

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Local Caterpillar Plant Could Absorb Job Cuts Without Penalty Under Terms Of Agreement With Oconee County And Athens-Clarke County

During Restructuring

When Caterpillar announced on Sept. 24 that it plans to cut 10,000 employees and consolidate and close more than 20 facilities around the world, it left unspecified which plants would be impacted.

In its news release, which has been the source of much of the reporting on the announcement, Caterpillar would say only that “There are many factors that impact these contemplated decisions” as well as their timing.

Monday, October 05, 2015

Oconee County Issued A Permit For LED Sign On SR 316 At McNutt Creek; Two Other Sign Applications Pending

One On Mars Hill Road

Oconee County issued a permit for an 8 foot by 12 foot LED sign at SR 316 and McNutt Creek Road Sept. 29 and is processing applications for two additional large LED signs, one at the Oconee Connector and SR Loop 10 and the other on Mars Hill Road just north of Barber Creek Drive.

A small sign on the property on the northwest corner of SR 316 and McNutt Creek Road will be removed, and the large replacement sign will be just beyond the 10-foot setback from the state right of way for SR 316.

Sunday, October 04, 2015

Oconee County Animal Control Board To Discuss Long List Of Issues At Meeting Wednesday Night

Foster Program On List

The Oconee County Animal Control Advisory Board, meeting on Wednesday evening, will address a full slate of issues, including tethering and hoarding of animals, the status of the foster program, changes to the county’s Animal Control Ordinance, and the status of the shelter facility.

The Advisory Board also will discuss the ordinances passed by the Board of Commissioners creating the Advisory Board and consider changes to its bylaws.

Friday, October 02, 2015

Citizen Files Ethics Complaint Against Oconee County Commission Chairman Over Old Mars Hill Road Proposal

Forwarded To Special Master

Oconee County Attorney Daniel Haygood has referred to Special Master James C. Warnes an ethics complaint that Sarah Bell has filed against Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis.

Bell contends that Davis violated at least eight sections of the county’s ethics code by “using taxpayer money to pay an employee and to prepare and purchase plans” for the reconnection of Old Mars Hill Road to Mars Hill Road proper “as a special favor for one citizen.”

Thursday, October 01, 2015

Oconee County Reports Major Spills At Its Calls Creek Plant In September And In July

Adds To Long List

Oconee County late yesterday informed the Georgia Environmental Protection Division of yet another problem with the operation of its Calls Creek wastewater treatment facility.

From 5 to 8 a.m. on Sept. 25 the plant released an estimated 50,000 gallons of discharge containing total suspended solids that exceeded the permitted level, according to the county’s report.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Let Proposal For Reconnecting Old Mars Hill Road Die Without Discussion

No Citizen Response Allowed

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners tonight let die without comment the proposal to reconnect Old Mars Hill Road with Mars Hill Road proper.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis, who initiated the redesign of the roadway to allow for the connection, brought the proposal before the other commissioners, but none of them wanted to go forward with it.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Adoptions Increased 159 Percent Since Oconee County Animal Control Began Foster Program

More Animals Kept Alive

In Fiscal Year 2013, the year before the Oconee County Animal Control Department began its foster program, it euthanized 1.4 animals for every animal it was able to adopt out.

In Fiscal Year 2015, the first full year of operation of the adoption program, Animal Control reversed the ratio, adopting out 1.8 animals for every one it euthanized.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Oconee County Utility Department Director Offers Support For Local Citizen Group’s Effort At Stream Monitoring

Answers Citizen Questions

Wayne Haynie, director of the Oconee County Utility Department, told the 25 people who turned out on Thursday night at the Oconee County Library to discuss water quality in county streams that he wants to partner with them.

It was the first time a county official has met with the public to discuss sewer issues since serious problems with the county’s sewerage treatment plants were revealed in late May, and Haynie used the opportunity to present the image of a Utility Department that is responding to those problems.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners To Consider Old Mars Hill Road Reconnection On Tuesday

Despite Opposition

Despite overwhelming opposition from the 50 people who turned out at a public hearing earlier this week on reconnecting Old Mars Hill Road to the new Mars Hill Road, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners has the proposed road project on the agenda for discussion on Tuesday night.

County Public Works Director Emil Beshara is scheduled to discuss the potential reconnection of Old Mars Hill Road early in the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Courthouse in Watkinsville.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Three Separate Samples From Oconee County’s Calls Creek Show Higher Bacteria Levels Downstream From Sewer Spill Than Upstream

Meeting Tomorrow Night

Three different samples drawn from Calls Creek following the sewage spill in the Watkinsville Cemetery on Sept. 10 show higher levels of bacteria downstream from the spill than upstream, though the differences have decreased over time.

Data gathered by volunteers from the Upper Oconee Watershed Network on Sept. 17 showed E. coli bacteria levels downstream just higher than those upstream and the level in the tributary into which the raw sewage flowed to be the lowest of the three readings.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Oconee County Citizens Voice Opposition To Plans To Reopen Connection Of Old Mars Hill Road To New Road Under Construction

Followed Vote Against Rezone

About 50 citizens turned out at a meeting in Veterans Park tonight to tell the Oconee County Board of Commissioners how they feel about a proposal to reopen the connection between Old Mars Hill Road and the new Mars Hill Road now under construction.

All but one of those present said they are opposed to the project.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Oconee County To Hold Hearing On Commercial Development On Old Mars Hill Road It Rejected in 1999

Ownership Changed

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners decided back in 1999 that a key piece of property along what is now Old Mars Hill Road should not be rezoned for commercial use because it would adversely affect nearby Oak Ridge subdivision.

The effect of commercial development of property on Old Mars Hill Road is likely to be one issue that will come up on Tuesday night when the Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing on a proposal to make Old Mars Hill Road a cut through at the Mars Hill Road Oconee Connector intersection.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Rezone Request For Mars Hill Road Highlights Pressure For Commercial Development On The Oconee County Corridor

Follows Session On Overlay

Residents along Mars Hill Road–fresh from a four-hour session on future land use along the roadway–will have another opportunity to express their views on future development in their neighborhoods on Monday night.

The Oconee County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing that night on a proposal by one of the land owners to move forward with a rezone of property even before the county takes action on an overlay district it is considering for the corridor.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mars Hill Road In Future Could Look Like Epps Bridge Parkway Of Today, Planner Told Commissioners

Overlay Discussions Continue

Oconee County Strategic and Long-Range Planning Director Wayne Provost told Oconee County commissioners back in January that they could get an idea of what Mars Hill Road could look like in the future by looking at Epps Bridge Parkway today.

Provost said that the county promoted development along Epps Bridge Parkway between SR Loop10 and the county line at McNutt Creek by its investment in water, sewer and transportation infrastructure.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Oconee County Reporting Another Sewer Spill, This Time Inside City Of Watkinsville

Faulty Float Switch Blamed

Oconee County is reporting yet another sewage spill–this one inside the city limits of Watkinsville and into a tributary of Calls Creek.

The sewage spill is the second reported by the county in three weeks and sixth since the first of the year.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Oconee County Consultant To Unveil Implementation Details For Mars Hill Road Overlay District At Rescheduled Meeting

Format Changed As Well

Consultant Bill Ross is expected on Thursday to unveil details for implementation of an overlay district for Mars Hill Road when he meets from 3 to 7 p.m. with Oconee County citizens at the Community Center in Veterans Park.

The overlay district proposes land use that is at odds in significant ways with the county’s future development map, approved by the county in February of 2008 under Ross’ guidance.

Friday, September 11, 2015

North Carolina Company Putting Together Plans For Oconee County Health Park With Athens Regional Medical Facility As Anchor Tenant

Construction Underway

A North Carolina real estate development company that specializes in medical office projects is putting together plans for what it is calling a health park on 14 acres at the corner of Jennings Mill Road and Virgil Langford Road.

Athens Regional Health System, parent company of Athens Regional Medical Center, will be the tenant in the first building in the proposed seven-building complex, according to architectural plans submitted to the Oconee County Planning Department.

Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Oconee County Code Enforcement Removed Boswell Signs--Again--And County Signs As Well

Last Removal In December

Oconee County Code Enforcement once again has taken down signs owned by Boswell Properties that violated the county sign ordinance and were in the intersection of SR 316 and the Oconee Connector.

It also took down signs owned by the county’s Industrial Development Authority that also were in the state right of way and violated the county’s sign ordinance.

Monday, September 07, 2015

Sample From Tributary Of Barber Creek That Received Oconee County Sewer Spill Shows Excessively High Levels Of E. Coli Bacteria

Volunteer Effort

Volunteers with the Upper Oconee Watershed Network have found excessively high levels of E. coli bacteria in a water sample drawn late last week from the unnamed tributary to Barber Creek that received raw sewage from a spill on Aug. 21.

The volunteers also reported excessively high and roughly equal levels of the bacteria in Barber Creek itself below the inflow from the tributary and upstream from the inflow from the tributary, suggesting that the spill has not had lasting negative impact on Barber Creek.

Sunday, September 06, 2015

GDOT Has Decided Not To Fund Widening Of Jimmy Daniell Road Despite Oconee County Approval Of Contract

Problems With Funding Sources

The Georgia Department of Transportation has decided not to fund the widening of Jimmy Daniell Road, nullifying the project framework agreement signed by Oconee County in December of last year.

GDOT took this action because Oconee County never specified where it was going to find the $1.15 million estimated cost to the county for right of way acquisition for the project.

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Oconee County Expects Upgrade To Hog Mountain Road And U.S. 441 Intersection To Be Completed By End Of Month

Waiting On GDOT

The county is expecting that the improvements to the intersection of the Hog Mountain Road and U.S. 441, now underway, will be completed by the end of the month, according to Emil Beshara, county Public Works director.

The roadwork will produce two left-turn lanes from Hog Mountain Road to U.S. 441 and a turn lane into the RaceTrac station for traffic heading west on Hog Mountain Road from U.S. 441. RaceTrac is on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Volunteer Group To Sample Water From Barber Creek Near Sewage Spill In Oconee County

Sign At Creek: Keep Out

Volunteers from the Upper Oconee Watershed Network (UOWN) plan to do sampling from Barber Creek tomorrow morning upstream and downstream from the sewage spill on Aug. 21.

Vicki Soutar, a retired Oconee County science teacher and UOWN volunteer, will lead the group. The goal is to determine if the spill had lasting impact on the water quality of the creek.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Public Hearings Set On Tax Increases For Oconee County Government and Schools

Required By Law

Oconee County citizens will have a series of opportunities this week to express their views on what amounts to tax increases both for county government and for the county’s schools.

While the Board of Commissioners has held the tax rate constant from last year, the increase in property value translates to tax increases of 3.45 percent for the unincorporated parts of the county and 2.95 percent for the incorporated parts of the county.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Postpone Decision On Old Mars Hill Road Pending Input From Public

Luke Most Outspoken

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners last night turned back Chairman Melvin Davis’ attempt to get funding for the reconnection of Old Mars Hill Road to Mars Hill Road itself, but it agreed to revisit the question in a month.

The Board also learned that the actual cost of the project will be $140,000 or more, not the $115,000 originally listed.

Oconee County Reporting A Sewer Spill Into Barber Creek Due To Mars Hill Widening Project

Upstream From Subdivisions

The Oconee County Utility Department is reporting a spill of 5,500 gallons of sewage into a tributary of Barber Creek as a result of the widening of Mars Hill Road.

The spill occurred at 11 a.m. on Friday when the contractor for the Mars Hill Road construction project hit the force main at the corner of Mars Hill and Daniells Bridge roads, causing a break in the line, according to the county.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman Asking County To Spend $115,000 For Mars Hill Road Modification

On Tuesday Agenda

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis is asking his fellow Board members on Tuesday night to spend up to $115,000 to create a connection between Old Mars Hill Road and the new Mars Hill Road now under reconstruction.

The change will benefit a landowner who asked Davis to alter the road design, according to email messages among county officials.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Oconee County Animal Shelter Holding Petfest On Saturday To Raise Money For Adoption Program

Free To Public

The Oconee County Animal Shelter is holding a petfest on Saturday at Heritage Park in the south of the county to raise money to support the Shelter’s adoption program.

The event will include pony rides and face painting for children, food and crafts for the adults, and low cost rabies vaccines and microchipping for the pets.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Audience At Oconee County Meeting On Mars Hill Road Land Use Voiced No Support For Project

Given Little Time To Complain

About 40 people showed up last Thursday night at a meeting in Veterans Park to learn about county plans for development of Oconee County’s Mars Hill Road corridor, and none gave evidence of being there because of happiness with how things are going as the two-lane road is widened to four lanes.

Bill Ross, hired by the county as a consultant, told the residents as the meeting got underway that he wanted to hear from them, but he also said the meeting would last only an hour.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Oconee County Holding Meeting On Future Land Use Along Widened Mars Hill Road

Second Of Three

Oconee County is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow night to allow the public to react to preliminary findings regarding a possible overlay district for the Mars Hill Road corridor.

The meeting, to be held at the Community Center in Veterans Park on Hog Mountain Road, is a sequel to a session held on July 23, where about 20 attendees got an introduction to the process for creation of a district.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Leader Relaunching As Free Paper Delivered To Driveways In Oconee County

Owned By Athens Paper

The Oconee Leader, which ceased publication on May 15, is relaunching, with the first edition to be delivered to driveways and distribution stands around the county on Thursday.

The paper will be owned by the Athens Banner-Herald, according to an Aug. 2 post on Facebook by former Leader owner Rob Peecher.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Oconee County Paid Hauler To Dispose Of Solid Waste From Sewer Plant After The Plant Stopped Producing Solid Waste

Financial Records Show Discrepancy

Even though the Oconee County Calls Creek wastewater plant stopped producing solids at least a year ago, the county continued to pay a company for hauling those solids to a landfill through at least the end of April of this year, according to financial records of the county’s Utility Department.

Solids, also referred to as sludge, are removed from the raw sewage in a wastewater plant as part of the treatment process and then disposed of, generally at a landfill.

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Oconee County Administrative Officer Asked About Build Up Of Solids At Calls Creek Plant Before Citizen Complaint Brought Issue To Fore

Told Plant Functioning Correctly

Oconee County Administrative Officer Jeff Benko raised concerns about the build up of solids at the county’s Calls Creek wastewater treatment plant at least five days before problems at the plant were exposed by a citizen and nearly four weeks before consultant Bob Sheldon said solids at the plant had reached a critical stage.

Utility Department Director Chris Thomas reassured Benko that “I think everything is ok as far as sludge goes” at the plant.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Four Of Five Of Oconee County Commissioners To Get Salary Increases In January

Daniell Refused Increase

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners tonight is scheduled to continuing its discussion of how to spend the 3 percent set aside in the current Fiscal Year 2016 county budget for salary increases for county employees.

The Board will not be discussing the salaries of its members.

Friday, July 24, 2015

State Environmental Protection Division Found No Problems With Oconee County Sewage Plant Discharge Based On Data County Provided

During Critical Period

The Georgia Environment Protection Division detected no problems with the quality of water discharged from Oconee County’s two wastewater treatment facilities during the September 2013 to April 2015 period, even though the agency criticized the county for “serious violations” of its permits to operate the plants during that time.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Oconee County Citizen Committee Recommending SPLOST Funding For Historic Projects

Barnett Shoals And Jail

An Oconee County historic and scenic sites committee on Tuesday night is scheduled to make its recommendation that the county spend Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue on preservation of the historic Barnett Shoals area along the Oconee River and on renovation of the old jail behind the Courthouse in Watkinsville.

The Committee—actually a subcommittee of the Recreational Affairs Committee and of the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Committee—will make its report to those two full committees at 6 p.m. at the Community Center in Oconee Veterans Park.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Atlanta Developer Submitted Plans Last Month For Environmental Permits For Expanded Epps Bridge Centre

Tributaries To McNutt Creek

Atlanta Developer Frank Bishop filed paperwork with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers late last month for Phases II and III of Epps Bridge Centre, to be built in the wooded area across the Oconee Connector from his existing shopping center.

Bishop filed the paperwork with the Corps of Engineers because he plans to alter streams and wetlands on the property and needs permits from both the state of Georgia and from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers before he can begin construction.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Oconee County Code Enforcement Looking Into Location Of Boswell Signs—Again

Connector And SR 316

The Oconee County Code Enforcement Office is once again investigating a two-sided sign installed by Boswell Properties on the southwest corner of SR 316 and the Oconee Connector.

Boswell Properties reinstalled the signs sometime in the last few weeks to list property owned by Maxie Price, the Loganville auto dealer and businessman who has several properties in the county.

Thursday, July 09, 2015

Oconee County Animal Control Board Refused To Support Animal Control Department Director’s Call For Tougher Laws

Board Openly Divided

The Oconee County Animal Control Advisory Board yesterday afternoon refused to support Catlyn A. Vickers, director of the Oconee County Animal Control Department, in her request for increased powers to investigate complaints about animal abuse in the county.

Board member Helen Fosgate made a motion calling for a strengthening of the county’s animal control ordinace, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Monday, July 06, 2015

Route East of Bishop Selected As “Starting Point” For Study of U.S. 441 Bypass Options In Oconee County

Public Works Director Reports

The Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS) Policy Committee on Wednesday morning is scheduled to formally add the four-laning of U.S. 441 from Watkinsville to the Apalachee River to the FY 2015– 2018 Transportation Improvement Program.

The action is a necessary step for the reactivation of the project, which includes a bypass of the city of Bishop.

Sunday, July 05, 2015

Problems At Oconee County Sewage Treatment Plants Began Nearly Two Years Ago, EPD Records Show

Two Permit Violation Notices

The problems at Oconee County’s two sewage treatment plants began in the second half of 2013, according to records at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, which has the mandate to monitor operation of the plants.

Until that time, the Environmental Protection Division had identified only minor problems with the operation of the county’s two treatment plants.

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Consultant Tells Oconee County Commissioners Sewer Problems Under Control, But Money Needed

Sludge In Ponds

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners agreed to spend nearly $300,000 last night to remove solids that have built up on the bottoms of the ponds at the Rocky Branch Land Application System sewage treatment facility.

Consultant Bob Sheldon told the Board that, as far as he knew, solids had never been removed from the ponds at the LAS site, which opened in 2002.

Monday, June 29, 2015

State Defines Alternative Fuel Vehicles In Preparation For July 1 Implementation of Transportation Act

Fuel Taxes To Increase

The Georgia Department of Revenue on Thursday issued a policy bulletin to define alternative fuel vehicles for the purposes of imposing the new fee on these vehicles dictated by the transportation bill passed by the Georgia General Assembly in late March.

The policy bulletin also determines which vehicles are eligible for the special alternative fuel license plate. Vehicles with the alternative fuel license tag can travel in the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in Atlanta even if only one person is in the car.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Oconee County Consultant To Give Progress Report On Cleanup Of County’s Two Sewage Treatment Facilities

Sludge Removal At LAS

Bob Sheldon, the consultant who is spearheading cleanup operations for the county’s two troubled sewage treatment facilities, is scheduled to give an update on Tuesday night on his progress so far and discuss his plans for the future.

Sheldon will provide specifics on sludge removal at the county’s Land Application System facility on Rocky Branch Road, according to the agenda released by County Clerk Jane Greathouse on Friday afternoon for Tuesday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Oconee County Tourism Director Says New $5 Hotel Fee Will Have Negative Impact On Travel In Georgia

Wrote To Legislators And Governor

Sen. Bill Cowsert told a small group of Oconee County Republicans last month that he was glad county Tourism Director Peggy Holcomb was not present as he gave his justification for adding $5 to the daily bills at hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, and motels around the state.

Cowsert knew how Holcomb felt about the transportation bill that Cowsert supported and the General Assembly passed late in this year’s session that added the $5 hotel fee and increased the gasoline tax in the state, effective July 1.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Oconee County Commission Chairman Davis Raises Again Possibility of Daniells Bridge Road Projects

After Rejection

Only two months after the Oconee County Board of Commissioners turned down two Daniells Bridge Road projects after a lengthy discussion, Commission Chairman Melvin Davis earlier this month brought them brought up again for consideration.

Davis made only oblique reference to the two roadway projects in his comments, but Commissioner John Daniell, whose negative vote was key on April 7 when the Board rejected Davis' push for the roadwork, understood and responded.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Oconee County Industrial Development Authority Approves Payment Against Caterpillar Bond

Never Uses Name

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority agreed on Monday to contribute $50,000 to the nearly $700,000 payment due next year for the bond for Caterpillar, but IDA Chairman Rick Walker told anyone who was listening not to expect a similar payment in the future.

The payment for the Caterpillar bond was part of the $120,500 budget approved by the Authority at its regular meeting in the Courthouse on Monday afternoon.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Oconee County Utility Department Director Chris Thomas Resigns

Effect Next Week

Chris Thomas, head of Oconee County’s beleaguered Utility Department, has resigned effective June 19.

Thomas, 42, has been with the county for 17 years and has been director of the Utility Department since 2008.

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

Volunteer Group Reported Low Levels Of E. Coli Bacteria In Oconee County’s Calls Creek

Downstream Of Sewer Plant

Oconee County citizens and officials got some good news yesterday regarding the county’s Calls Creek wastewater treatment plant.

The Upper Oconee Watershed Network, a volunteer group dedicated to protecting water resources in the Upper Oconee basis, reported that its sampling of Calls Creek at two locations downstream from the plant on Saturday showed relatively low levels of the potentially dangerous E. coli bacteria.

Sunday, June 07, 2015

Caterpillar Tax Bill Half Of What It Would Be Without Abatement Oconee County Gave As Enticement To Locate Plant Here

Debt Payments Now Due

About this time last year, the Oconee County Property Appraisal Department made its estimate of the value of that portion of the land and building inside the county that Caterpillar occupies for its manufacturing facility.

It also made an assessment of the value of the lease for the equipment inside that plant.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Have Known Since First Of The Year Of Serious Problems At County’s Sewer Plants

Only Took Action In Early May

Oconee County commissioners have known since at least the first of the year that the county has very serious problems with the operation of its two sewage treatment plants, but they waited until last week to give a hint to the general public of the problems the county is facing.

At the regular meeting of the Board last week, Chairman Melvin Davis said the county “had been made aware of an issue” at the Calls Creek plant a month earlier, but the Georgia Environment Protection Division told the county on Dec. 16, 2014, of a “serious violation” of its permit at the Calls Creek plant and permit violations at its Rocky Branch plant as well.

Monday, June 01, 2015

Oconee County Reported Two New Sewage Spills To The State

Calls Creek And McNutt Creek

Oconee County reported two new sewage spills to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on Friday, one of which was classified as a “major spill” and involved the discharge of sewage into Calls Creek.

The smaller spill was into McNutt Creek behind Creekside subdivision, which is on the east side of Jimmy Daniell Road at the county line.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Oconee County Senator Told Small Gathering Of Republicans Why He Voted For A Tax Increase

Other Issues Discussed

Sen. Bill Cowsert told a small group of Oconee County Republicans earlier this month that he voted in favor of the tax increases for transportation in March because the bill gave legislators more control over the Georgia Department of Transportation and “capped” the fuel tax–something the tax bill does only in part.

Cowsert also defended the $5 per night fee added to hotel and other lodging bills as part of the transportation act on the grounds that most of those paying the fee will be from out of state.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Oconee County Releases Names Of Employees Who Resigned From Troubled Calls Creek Sewage Plant

EPD Visited Plant Today

Oconee County late today identified the two employees whose resignations were accepted in the wake of the discharge of inadequately treated sewage water into Calls Creek from a county wastewater treatment plant.

They are Gene Price, wastewater supervisor, and Anthony Occhipinti, maintenance supervisor.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Oconee County Issues Interior Permits For Three Building Shells In Epps Bridge Centre

Aug. 15 Completion

Oconee County has issued interior building permits for all three of the buildings currently under construction in the core of Epps Bridge Centre.

Shell only permits had been issued for the three buildings earlier this year, and construction on the structures–side-by-side and northwest of Marshalls–is in full swing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Calls Creek Sewer Plant Problems Lead To Resignation Of Two Oconee County Utility Department Employees

Solids In Effluent

A month-long investigation of effluent from the county’s Calls Creek sewage plant outside Watkinsville became public last night when Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis reported that the county had received the resignation of two of the plant’s employees.

The county also released a six-page report by a consultant hired to review the operation of both of the country’s sewage treatment facilities.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Oconee County Budget Maintains Millage Rate, Increases Water And Sewer Costs

Budget Grows 8.7 Percent

Oconee County Finance Director Wes Geddings presented a $39.7 million budget to the public tonight that includes no increase in the county’s millage rate but does include a water rate increase of 1.5 percent and a sewer rate increase of 3 percent.

The budget is 8.7 percent greater than the current budget, and the extra revenue will come in part from an expected 6 to 10 percent increase in property values. Sales tax revenues also are projected to increase.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Oconee County Withholds Information On Budget Prior To Hearing On Tuesday

Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners released information Friday on the three applicants for the two openings on the county’s Farmland Preservation Ranking Committee and revealed that it had no applicants for the single opening on the Keep Oconee Beautiful Commission.

In preparation for its meeting tomorrow night, the Board identified James “J.R.” Charles as the finalist for appointment as the county’s economic development director.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

A Small Truck Repair Facility Is Coming To Oconee County Because of Caterpillar, Developer Told Planning Commission

In Business Park

While no vendors have located in the property adjacent to the Caterpillar Plant on Atlanta Highway on the east side of Bogart, despite the expectation that they would do so, Mike Power told the Planning Commission on Monday night that a four-bay truck repair is coming to his business park because of Caterpillar.

Power’s development, called Mars Hill Business Park, is located on Mars Hill Road across from Malcom Bridge Road.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Oconee County Charges Property Owners In Four Cities More For Services It Provides Than It Charges Property Owners Elsewhere In County

Law Allows Two Rates

When the Oconee County Board of Commissioners releases the county’s budget on May 26, it also will release two millage or property tax rates–one for property in the county’s four cities and another for property in the unincorporated parts of the county.

Those rates are likely to be different–-as they have been for at least the last six years--with property owners in Bishop, Bogart, North High Shoals and Watkinsville paying the county more in taxes for a comparable piece of property than do owners of property elsewhere in the county.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Publisher Announces Closing Of Oconee County Weekly Newspaper

Finances Cited

Oconee County lost another local news and information site on Friday with the closing of The Oconee Leader, the county’s largely free circulation weekly newspaper.

Publisher Rob Peecher announced the decision to close the newspaper in a front-page “note of thanks to our readers and advertisers” in Friday’s paper.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Oconee County Administrative Officer Rescinds Order That Restricted Media Access of Department Heads

At Meeting

Oconee County Administrative Officer Jeff Benko said on Wednesday that he has rescinded his order that department heads limit their comments to the media.

Benko said he lifted the restriction on April 15, the day that the county released to me a copy of the email message Benko sent to department heads on April 3 telling them not to make statements to “the press” without clearing those statements in advance with him.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Executive Director of Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission Has Submitted Her Resignation

Will Continue As Volunteer

Angela Helwig, executive director of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, has submitted her resignation to the county, saying the job requires more time than she is able to give to it.

Helwig, who also serves as receptionist in the Oconee County Board of Commissioners office, open records officer for the Industrial Development Authority, and recording secretary for the IDA and for the Citizens Advisory Committee for Land Use and Transportation Planning, among other assignments, said her resignation is effective June 30.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Oconee County Citizens Will Get Their First Chance To See Next Year’s Budget In Two Weeks

Tax Increase An Option

Work on the county’s budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is taking place out of the public view, but in two weeks, citizens will know how the Board of Commissioners has reconciled the nearly $2.8 million gap between requested expenditures and anticipated revenue.

The $2,747,549 funding shortfall was presented to the commissioners in their last public meeting on the budget–a work session on March 25 held in the Grand Jury Room at the Courthouse in Watkinsville.

Saturday, May 09, 2015

Oconee County Issues First Building Permits For Falls Of Oconee Complex Opposite Athens Ridge

Shell Permits Only

The Oconee County Code Enforcement Office on Friday issued building permits for three of the five buildings to make up The Falls of Oconee speciality retail center on Old Macon Highway opposite the Athens Ridge student housing complex.

The permits are for the shells of the three buildings only and give no indication of how the buildings will be used.

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

GDOT, Not Oconee County, Has Final Authority For Presbyterian Homes Exit And Entrance On U.S. 441, Public Works Director Says

Regardless Of Condition Imposed

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners last night placed a condition on the rezone it approved for Presbyterian Homes of Georgia in order to control the movement of traffic from the site onto U.S. 441 until a traffic light is installed.

Before the vote, Oconee County Public Works Director Emil Beshara advised the Board that much of what will be done at the continuing care retirement community’s main entrance and exit on U.S. 441 is not under the control of the county.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Approve Presbyterian Homes Rezone Request In 4-0 Vote

Conditions Added

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 tonight to grant Presbyterian Homes of Georgia its rezone request to build a continuing care retirement community on 70 acres fronting U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road.

The commissioners stipulated that Presbyterian Homes must limit traffic leaving the main entrance to the campus on U.S. 441 to right-hand turns.

Monday, May 04, 2015

Oconee County Chamber Of Commerce Says Presbyterian Homes Good For County, Does Not Comment On Safety And Traffic Issues

Letter To Commissioners

The Oconee County Chamber of Commerce has asked the Oconee County Board of Commissioners to approve tomorrow night the rezone request of Presbyterian Homes of Georgia for a continuing care retirement community on U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road.

The Chamber told the commissioners that the PHG facility will have “significant” economic impact on the community and “add to the quality of life” of citizens, but it did not address the issues of safety and traffic, which are most likely to be the primary focus of the commissioners tomorrow night.

Saturday, May 02, 2015

Oconee County’s Two Weekly Papers Ignore Key Documents In Reporting On Bogart Library Defunding

More Than Spending Cut

Oconee County’s two weekly newspapers last week reported explanations for the lack of funding of the Bogart Library renovation and expansion in the state budget passed by the General Assembly last month that are at odds with the public record of the Georgia Public Library Service.

The Oconee Enterprise quoted Sen. Bill Cowsert as saying the Bogart Library project was not listed as a top priority by the Board of Regents, the budget of which includes the requests of the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS).

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Vote To Terminate Lease On Dolvin Property, Go Into Executive Session With Atlanta Developer

Reservoir Report Too

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 last night to move the Planning Department, Code Enforcement and three other offices out of the Dolvin buildings within the year but gave no indicate where it will move them.

Commissioner Jim Luke, who voted against the motion to terminate the lease for the Dolvin buildings, said he did so because he wasn’t confident the county would have a place to put those offices.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Oconee County Board Of Commissioners To Consider Terminating Lease On Dolvin Buildings

Agenda Item Added

The public might get at least a hint tomorrow night of county plans for handling future space needs when the Board of Commissioners considers termination of the lease on the government offices across the street from the Courthouse.

County Attorney Daniel Haygood told me in an email message this afternoon that he is anticipating the Board will give a one-year notice to the landlord that the lease will be terminated.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners To Get An Update On Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project

Follows Decision On Treatment Plant

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night is scheduled to get an update on the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir from Project Manager Jimmy Parker.

The meeting will follow by one week the first concrete decision by the Management Board for the reservoir project to move forward with plans for design work on the water treatment plant.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Caterpillar Told Athens-Clarke County And Oconee County Authorities It Had 658 Full-Time Jobs During Average Month In 2014

Increase From 2013

The number of full-time jobs at the Caterpillar plant on the Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County line during the average month in 2014 was 658, up from a monthly average of 214 a year ago.

A total number of 932 full-time jobs were created at the facility by the end of 2014, or 568 more than the 364 that had been created by the end of 2013, the first year of operation of the plant.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Oconee County Administrative Officer Tells County Department Heads To Clear All Comments To The "Press" With Him First

Complaint By Williams

Oconee County Administrative Officer Jeff Benko has issued a directive to county department heads telling them not to make statements to “the press” without clearing those statements in advance with him.

The directive, sent out by email to the department heads at 5:03 p.m. on April 3, followed a 3:49 p.m. email on that date to Public Works Director Emil Beshara telling him to “refrain from discussing” issues “in the paper.”

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Construction Underway On Last Buildings In Core Of Oconee County’s Epps Bridge Centre

Latest Building Without Tenant

Construction is well underway on the last major buildings that makes up the core of Epps Bridge Centre, the shopping complex surrounded by Epps Bridge Parkway, SR Loop 10 and the Oconee Connector.

The Oconee County Code Enforcement Office issued a permit on March 27 for the shell of a 25,024-square-foot building that connects the building housing Marshalls with the building under construction that will be home to Party City and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Oconee County Planning Commission Recommends Rezones for Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

100 Plus At Meeting

The Oconee County Planning Commission voted 7-3 tonight to send forward to the Board of Commissioners with a positive recommendation the rezone request of the Presbyterian Homes of Georgia for 70 acres on U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road.

The Commission also voted--this time unanimously--to recommend rezone of 10 acres fronting on Wild Azalea Lane and U.S. 441 in a related request by Presbyterian Homes, which is seeking to build a continuing care retirement community on the 70-acre tract.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Jimmy Daniell Road Rezone Withdrawn, But Two Presbyterian Homes Rezones On Oconee County Planning Commission Agenda

Late Friday Request

The Oconee County Planning Commission agenda for tomorrow night got simpler on Friday when Oconee Medical Properties LLC withdrew its request for a rezone of five acres on Jimmy Daniell Road just north of the entrance to Silver Leaf subdivision.

Remaining on the agenda is the latest attempt by Presbyterian Homes of Georgia to obtain a rezone for a continuing care retirement community, this time on 70 acres with frontage on U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road

Hard Labor Creek Board To Begin Discussion Of Design For Water Treatment Plant and Distribution System

For Future Industrial Users

The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board on Tuesday is scheduled to begin discussion of preliminary design for the water treatment and water transmission facilities--the next stage in making the reservoir now filling in southeast Walton County something more than a pretty lake.

The Board will discuss cost estimates for obtaining a schematic design for the facility and for design development details. The estimated total cost of the work is $1.7 million.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Book Drive For Inmates At Oconee County Jail Continues Through End Of Month

More Than 400 Books Donated

Oconee County Democrats is in the final stretch of a book collection for inmates of the Oconee County Jail.

Pat Priest, organizer of the book drive, said today that the group already has delivered more than 400 books to the jail and has more waiting to be picked up from collection sites around the county.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Citizen Committee Ranks Upgrade To Oconee Connector And SR 316 Intersection As Top Oconee County Road Project

Daniells Bridge Projects Ranked Low

Construction of a multigrade interchange for the Oconee Connector and SR 316 intersection is the most pressing road project in the county, the Oconee County Citizen Advisory Committee on Land Use and Transportation Planning decided last night.

The Commitee rated the widening of Daniells Bridge Road and the construction of an extension of Daniells Bridge Road with a flyover of SR Loop 10 near the bottom of its priority list of 18 road projects in the county.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Oconee County Experienced A Decline In Driving Under The Influence Arrests As Alcohol Law Changed

Issue On Watkinsville Agenda

Oconee County has been experiencing a decrease in arrests for driving under the influence going back to 2008, when the Board of Commissioners approved the sale of beer and wine in county restaurants.

Oconee County also compared favorably with neighboring counties in terms of the number of DUI cases in the court system in the last five years.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Presbyterian Homes Representative Says Third Site For Continuing Care Facility Is The Right One

Back Before Planning Commission

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, in its third attempt, says it finally has found the right location for its Athens area continuing care retirement community.

Its first selected location on Bishop Farms Parkway between Butler’s Crossing and Watkinsville turned out to be too expensive, Jon Williams of Williams and Associates told the Oconee County Planning Commission on March 16.

Thursday, April 09, 2015

House-Senate Conference Committee Cut Funding For Bogart Library In Oconee County From State Budget

Only Project Cut

A House-Senate conference committee removed all funding for the renovation and expansion of the Bogart Library from the state budget approved in the final two days of the General Assembly last week.

The conference committee action was taken at the direction of Terry England, R-Auburn, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, according to Sen. Bill Cowsert, who represents Bogart and the rest of Oconee County.

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Oconee Commissioners Turn Down Contracts For Two Daniells Bridge Road Projects

Chairman Criticizes Vote

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners, in two 3-1 votes tonight, turned down project framework agreements with the state for the widening of Daniells Bridge Road and for the construction an extension of Daniells Bridge Road to fly over SR Loop 10 to the stub of the Oconee Connector at Home Depot.

The Board took the action after another public hearing in which 23 residents, largely from the subdivisions along Daniells Bridge Road, spoke in opposition to the projects.

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Project Framework Agreements Before Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Cannot Be Easily Cancelled Or Altered

Payback Required

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis has repeatedly said that the project framework agreements for the two Daniells Bridge Road projects on the agenda for approval Tuesday night are simply “place holders.”

An analysis of the legal agreements the county is being asked to sign with the Georgia Department of Transportation and a review of planning procedures for regional road projects indicate that the documents are much more than Davis has suggested.

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Oconee Farmers Market Got Off To A Cool Start This Morning, But Activity Increased As The Sun Came Out

20 Vendors

As the sun broke through and the weather turned warmer, the customers turned out today at the first Oconee Farmers Market of the season in front of the Courthouse in Watkinsville.

The customers were greeted by 20 vendors selling eggs, meats, plants, jams, honey, bread, cakes, pies, nuts, farm-related crafts and more.

Friday, April 03, 2015

New Superior Court Judgeship Approved For Oconee County In Last Day Of Legislature

Other Winners Too

Oconee County got its Superior Court judgeship.

The Georgia Department of Transportation got its $945 million–annually.

The state’s nearly 40 craft breweries–including a few locally–got the right to give souvenir six-packs to customers who pay for a tour.

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Decide Not To Wait On Citizen Committee Input On Two Daniells Bridge Road Projects

On April 7 Agenda

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners plans to make a decision next Tuesday night on two projects on Daniells Bridge Road despite a recommendation of its Citizens Advisory Committee on Land Use and Transportation Planning that the county not move forward with the projects as drafted.

The BOC has before it for approval next week an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for a $3.7 million widening of Daniells Bridge Road from Hog Mountain Road to Chestnut Hill Road that would use federal, state and local money.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Uncertainty About Future Of Motor Fuels Tax Makes Estimate Of Revenue For Upcoming Oconee County Budget More Difficult

General Assembly Action Expected

The uncertainty regarding the future of Georgia’s fuels tax is having impact locally, as Oconee County officials try to estimate revenue available to balance next year’s budget.

The Georgia Senate and the House have passed differing versions of a Transportation Funding Act of 2015.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Oconee County’s Quick and Williams Cast Opposing Votes On Plastic Bag Bill

Local Rule An Issue

Oconee County’s two members of the Georgia House of Representatives cast opposing votes again yesterday, this time on plastic bags.

Rep. Regina Quick voted with the House majority in turning down Senate Bill 139, which would have prohibited local communities from adopting ordinances to restrict use of plastic bags, boxes, foam cups and other related “one-time use” products.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Citizens A Central Part Of Athens-Clarke County SPLOST Programs, Oconee County Audience Told

Library Was Venue

Athens-Clarke County has opted to have extensive citizen involvement in its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program to take advantage of the resources of the community and make sure community values are incorporated in the projects funded.

That was the message both Don Martin, manager of the unified government’s SPLOST program, and former Athens-Clarke County Mayor Gwen O’Looney delivered last night at a meeting at the Oconee County Library in Watkinsville.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Georgia Department Of Transportation Told Oconee County Representative To Pay $100,000 In Advance For Documents

Open Records Request

The Georgia Department of Transportation has told Rep. Regina Quick that it will respond to her open records request for documents about the operation of the department, but only if she pays more than $100,000 in advance.

Matthew Cline, general counsel to GDOT, said Quick’s 51-item request, submitted on March 17, would take up to six months to complete, and the Department would not start work until she paid the search and copying costs, as allowed by the state's open records law.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

GDOT Board Member Boswell Acknowledges Benefit To His Clients Of Daniells Bridge Road Flyover In Oconee County

Said Also Benefits 95 Percent Of County

Jamie Boswell, commercial real estate broker and area representative to the Georgia Transportation Board, readily admits that his clients will benefit from the proposed Daniells Bridge Road extension and flyover of SR Loop 10.

“I would think it is accurate to say that it would make those properties more attractive for development,” he said. “I would think anybody would agree with that.”

Sunday, March 22, 2015

New Seafood Restaurant Planned For Out Parcel of Epps Bridge Centre, Oconee County Documents Show

Eight Out Parcels Available

Bone Island Grillhouse Restaurants has submitted a preliminary site development plan to the Oconee County Planning Department for construction of a restaurant at the Epps Bridge Parkway entrance to the Epps Bridge Centre.

The new restaurant will occupy one of the 12 out parcels of the shopping center, bringing to four the number of out parcels with a tenant.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Oconee County Water And Sewer Rates To Increase By 3 Percent If Budget Request Is Approved

Debt Service Plays Role

Oconee County water and sewer customers will pay an additional 3 percent in rates starting on July 1 if the Board of Commissioners accepts the budget proposed by Public Utilities Director Chris Thomas.

Thomas told the commissioners at a budget hearing on Wednesday evening that he would like to keep the rate the same for those who use the minimum amount of water, but rates for everyone else would go up.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Oconee County Planning Commission Delays Action On Presbyterian Homes Rezone Request

Review In April

The Oconee County Planning Commission tabled two controversial rezone requests last night, one without deliberation and the other following discussion lasting more than two and a half hours.

As expected, the Commission accepted the request of the developer of a proposed complex of office warehouses on Jimmy Daniell Road that the item be removed from the agenda.

Watkinsville Voters Approve Liquor-By-The-Drink Referendum In Special Election Today

Light Turnout

Watkinsville voters have overwhelmingly approved a referendum allowing for the sale of alcoholic drinks in addition to beer and wine in city restaurants.

By 4 to 1 ratios, voters in both the City Hall and Annex precincts authorized the Watkinsville Mayor and Council to pass an ordinance establishing liquor-by-the-drink licenses, bringing the city into line with the unincorporated parts of the county.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Jimmy Daniell Road Rezone Likely To Be Removed From Oconee County Planning Commission Agenda For Tomorrow Night

PHG Main Remaining Item

The developer of a proposed complex of office warehouses on Jimmy Daniell Road on Friday requested that the project be withdrawn from the agenda of the Oconee County Planning Commission tomorrow night, simplifying what was to be a long and complex meeting.

Remaining on the agenda is a request by Presbyterian Homes of Georgia for a continuing care retirement center on 70 acres with frontage on U.S. 441 and Welbrook Road.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Oconee County’s Two State Representatives Cast Conflicting Votes on House Transportation Bill That Increases Taxes on Motor Fuel

Alters Local Taxes Too

Oconee County’s two representatives, both Republicans, cast conflicting votes on House Bill 170, which overhauls the state’s motor fuel tax, with Rep. Regina Quick joining the 43 Republicans in opposition and Rep. Chuck Williams voting as part of the 72 Republicans in favor.

The bill, approved on March 5, would have major impact on both local and state taxes on motor fuel if approved by the Senate in its present form.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Athens-Clarke Administrator To Talk About SPLOST Oversight On March 26 At Oconee County Library

Open To Public

While Oconee County has no history of citizen direct oversight of its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program, neighboring Athens-Clarke County has an active citizen committee monitoring how the unified government of the city and county spends its SPLOST revenues.

Such citizen oversight committees also exist or have existed elsewhere in the state, including in Cobb and DeKalb counties, in Savannah and in Atlanta.

Sunday, March 08, 2015

Farmers Market Opens On April 4 In Front Of Oconee County Courthouse In Watkinsville

12th Season

Oconee Farmers Market will launch its 12th season on April 4.

Vendors will assemble at 8 a.m. in front of the Courthouse in Watkinsville, selling early season produce, eggs, meats, honey, jams, and farm-related handicrafts, such as woolen products.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Oconee County To Hold Three Sessions Closed To Public To Deal With Future Of Courthouse

Davis Announced

The next phase of discussion of the future of the Courthouse in Watkinsville and of the county’s need for additional space will take place behind closed doors.

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis announced at the beginning of the BOC meeting last night the schedule for three executive sessions, on March 9, March 19 and March 26.

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Oconee County Planner Says Daniells Bridge Road Projects Are For Traffic Management, But Discussion Focused On Development

Davis Weighs In

Oconee County long-range planner Wayne Provost went out of his way last week to argue that the proposed widening of Daniells Bridge Road and construction of an extension of that road with a flyover of SR Loop 10 is to manage traffic, not to promote development.

Much of the discussion that followed, however, focused on development of a section of the county that currently is landlocked and that would be made more accessible if the flyover were built.

Sunday, March 01, 2015

Hard Labor Creek Reservoir Board Turns Down Request From Contractor For Time Extension For Dam Completion

Discusses Additional Costs

The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board has turned down a request by its general contractor for a time extension for completion of the dam in southeastern Walton County.

Construction of the reservoir originally was to be completed by Jan. 20 of this year, and the Board already had given Layne Heavy Civil Inc. an extension of 71 days. The current official expected completion date is April 1.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Commercial Development Leads To More Crime, District Attorney Told Oconee County Commissioners

Crime Costs Money

Commercial development has its downside, District Attorney Ken Mauldin told the Oconee County Board of Commissioners during a recent work session.

“The more stores you have out there, you’re going to have more shop lifting,” Mauldin said.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Oconee Commissioners Discuss Daniells Bridge Road Projects During Primer On MACORTS

Cancel Final Session

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners tonight got a primer on the operation of the Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS), the regional transportation planning body of which the county has been a member since 1980.

Next they heard from the county director of strategic and long range planning, who moved project by project through the county’s listings in the MACORTS planning documents.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

City Of Monroe Has Partial Solution For Oconee County’s Internet Problems

On Tuesday Agenda

Oconee County has found a fix to its Internet problems that bypasses the two commercial providers of Internet service in the county, AT&T and Charter.

The fix is not perfect–“not a silver bullet”–according to Brian Thompson, director of electric and telecommunications for the city of Monroe in neighboring Walton County.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Courthouse Needs Quick Fix, Judge Tells Oconee County Commissioners In Work Session On Space Needs

July 1, 2016 Deadline

Oconee County may have only a little more than a year before it needs to find space in the Courthouse for a Superior Court judge, the judge’s secretary and a law clerk.

That was the message Chief Superior Court Judge David Sweat delivered to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners last night in the second of four scheduled work sessions the Board is holding to deal with pressing issues before the county.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Three Historic And Scenic Sites To Be Presented To Oconee County Citizen Committee Tomorrow Night

Called Hidden Treasures

Russ Page, a tireless advocate on behalf of historic sites in the county, will get a chance tomorrow night to make a case for funding from current and future Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue of three projects in the county .

The first is preservation of the historic mill on Rose Creek just downstream from the iconic Elder Mill Covered Bridge off SR 15 (Greensboro Highway) southeast of Watkinsville.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Confronts Long List Of Issues Needing Resolution

Three More To Come

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners spent 90 minutes last night reviewing a long list of issues facing the county with the goal of winnowing and prioritizing, but it had only limited success with the task at hand.

Jim Dove, executive director of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC), began the Monday session by presenting a nine-page, single-space list of issues raised in the two-day planning meeting the Board held in January.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Oconee County Chairman Davis Raises Possibility of 50/50 Alcohol To Food Ratio In County Restaurants

In Weekly Column

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis has renewed his efforts to increase the percentage of revenue that Oconee County restaurants can earn from alcohol sales through his column in the Feb. 12 edition of The Oconee Enterprise.

Davis said in the column he writes that “I understand” that several chains have inquired about locating in Oconee County, but “some” question the existing ratio of alcohol to food.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Plans For Restaurant In Bishop On Hold Because Of Septic System Expenses

Fundraising Underway

Plans are on hold for a restaurant in the center of Bishop as the resident of the historic Seymour D. Fambrough house seeks funds for a $75,000 commercial septic system to accommodate the development.

Blyth Biggs, who is living with his family on the second floor of the Victorian-era, Queen Anne style building at 4851 Macon Highway, is seeking community support to finance the required septic system.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Hearing Before Oconee County Planning Commission On Presbyterian Homes Rezone Cancelled

Ads Not Placed

Oconee County has cancelled the public hearing scheduled for Monday night on the proposed Presbyterian Homes of Georgia continuing care retirement center on U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road.

The required advertisement did not appear in the county’s legal organ, The Oconee Enterprise, at least 15 days in advance of the public hearing before the Planning Commission, as is required by state law.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Regional Transportation Body Reactivates Project To Widen U.S. 441 With Bishop Bypass In Southern Oconee County

GDOT Pledges Engineering Money

The Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS) Policy Committee this morning took the first step toward reactivating the construction of a bypass of Bishop and the four-laning of U.S. 441 from Watkinsville to the Apalachee River.

The project now goes to the public comment stage, with a key meeting to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Community Center at Oconee Veterans Park.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Oconee County Clerk Announces Four Work Sessions For Commissioners, Including One On Daniells Bridge Road And Other Roadway Projects

In Grand Jury Room

Oconee County Clerk Jane Greathouse this morning announced four Board of Commissioners work sessions for the last two weeks of the month covering a range of topics, including the widening of Daniells Bridge Road and the construction of the Daniells Bridge Road extension and flyover of SR Loop 10.

The commissioners decided at the end of two days of planning meetings last month to hold a series of work sessions, but they had not been scheduled until today.

Sunday, February 08, 2015

Caterpillar Hiring At Local Plant More Than Doubled In Last Year, Oconee County Report States

Details Later

Caterpillar has created 932 of the 1,300 jobs it has promised to generate at its local plant, according to a report filed on Jan. 29 by Rick Waller, chairman of the Oconee County Industrial Development Authority, with the state agency that is overseeing the project.

The 932 jobs are more than double the 364 that Waller reported Caterpillar had created in a similar report a year ago.

Saturday, February 07, 2015

Oconee County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Growth Rate For Year Exceeds Rates Of Clarke and Barrow

Neighbors Collect More Money

Oconee County collected more tax revenue in December of 2014 from its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax than it has in any month since the tax began in October of 2009.

The December collections were up 13.1 percent from December of 2013, representing the second month in a row in which growth compared with a year ago was at that level. SPLOST revenues in November were up 13.0 percent from November of 2013.

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Delay Again A Decision On Two Daniells Bridge Road Projects

Back In 60 Days

After more than two hour of presentations by staff, of discussions, and of comments by citizens, the vast majority of them asking that the two project framework agreements for road work on Daniells Bridge Road be rejected, Oconee County commissioners last night delayed making a decision yet again.

Instead the commissioners agreed to revisit in 60 days the question of whether to widen Daniells Bridge Road in some fashion and to build an extension of Daniells Bridge Road that would fly over SR Loop 10 to connect with the stub of the Oconee Connector that ends at Home Depot.

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Oconee County Chairman Wants To Talk About Safety, But Other Proponents Of Daniells Bridge Road Projects Acknowledge Development Potential

More On Tuesday

Tom Kittle, who really is at the center of the Daniells Bridge Road extension and flyover, made his case for this project and the related widening of the road in a straightforward fashion at the Oconee County Board of Commissioners meeting last Tuesday.

These two projects, in his view, will facilitate the flow of traffic from outside of Watkinsville to Epps Bridge Parkway, thereby relieving existing congestion at the Oconee Connector, and will open up additional land, including land he owns, for development.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Athens Ridge Fight And Arrest Are The Exception, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Records Show

Alternative To Athens Coming

The fight and arrest on a charge of underage possession of alcohol early in the morning of Jan. 4 at Athens Ridge, the student housing complex on Old Macon Highway, was an exception, a review of records of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office shows.

Going back to when the townhouse complex opened at the beginning of the academic year in August, records show only one other incident that clearly involved alcohol. That event also was this year, on the morning of Jan. 1.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Decision On Daniells Bridge Road Projects Delayed Again By Oconee County Board of Commissioners

Come Back Next Week

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners, unable to find a consensus, took no action last night on the two project framework agreements with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the widening of Daniells Bridge Road and for the Daniells Bridge Road extension and flyover of SR Loop 10.

Commission Chairman Melvin Davis pushed the four voting commissioners to give tentative approval to the projects, but none of the commissioners supported that decision.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Make No Progress On Courthouse Future In Two-Day Planning Session

Also No Agreement On Strategy

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners ended its two-day planning session on Friday pretty much where it started the day before in terms of the future of the Courthouse, which it also acknowledged is one of the most pressing issues facing the Board and the county.

Commissioner Jim Luke said at the end of the day that he is very concerned about the county’s space issues but that he didn’t think the Board was close to finding any solutions.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Bed Bath & Beyond And Party City Coming To Oconee County’s Epps Bridge Centre

Now At Athens Promenade

Oconee County has issued a permit for a 39,000-square-foot building at Epps Bridge Centre to house both Bed Bath & Beyond and Party City.

The new building will be located to the west of Marshalls in the last open area in the central core of the strip mall that lies between the Oconee Connector, SR Loop 10 and Epps Bridge Parkway.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Daniells Bridge Road Widening And Flyover On Oconee County Board of Commissioners Agenda Again

Call For Decision On Contract

The project framework agreements with the state for the widening of Daniells Bridge Road and for construction of an extension of Daniells Bridge Road and flyover of SR Loop 10 are back on the agenda of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for approval on Tuesday night.

The two projects would create a new traffic artery to move traffic from Watkinsville to the Epps Bridge Road commercial corridor and then Athens that would parallel Mars Hill Road, now being rebuilt at a cost of $30 million.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Told They Should Consider Increasing Property Taxes This Year

One Commissioner Speaks For Increase

Given the costs of paying for the enticements to bring Caterpillar to the area, the need for new judicial facilities, and the plans to build new roads and maintain the existing ones, Oconee County commissioners should consider an increase in the county’s property tax rate.

That was the message of Wes Geddings, county finance director, in the opening session of a day-long planning meeting held by the Oconee Board of Commissioners at a conference venue in Athens-Clarke County today.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Oconee County Citizen Committee Wants More Money For Road Repair and Improvements

Sending Letter to BOC

The Oconee County Citizen Advisory Committee on Land Use and Transportation Planning is asking the Board of Commissioners to increase significantly funding for road repairs, resurfacing and related improvements.

The Committee decided at its meeting on Jan. 13 to ask the commissioners to increase the funding following a discussion in which Pubic Works Director Emil Beshara outlined spending needs for transportation infrastructure in the county.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Trucks To Begin Crossing Mars Hill Road, Bringing Traffic Through Oconee County To Intermittent Halts

Weather Permitting

Crews will begin intermittent blocking of Mars Hill Road on Thursday, the first time such action has been taken on the roadway since construction work began on the widening project last November.

Weather permitting, dump trucks will begin hauling dirt across Mars Hill Road between Hodges Mill Road and Riverhaven Lane sometime after 9 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release sent out late this afternoon by the Northeast Georgia office of the state Department of Transportation.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

A Gun And A Wallet Are Equally Protected From Search, Oconee County Chief Deputy Tells Class

HB 60 Not The Key

Carrying a gun legally is no different from carrying a wallet.

Because of this, police officers cannot search someone simply because they believe the person is carrying a gun.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Holding Planning Sessions This Week In Athens

NEGRC Conference Room

Oconee County Commissioners are to hold what are being called planning sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

The meetings will be held in Athens, in the conference room of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, 305 Research Drive, which runs from College Station Road to Barnett Shoals Road.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Oconee County Had Strong Fourth Quarter Of SPLOST Tax Collections

Clarke Even Stronger

Oconee County collected more than $1.6 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue in the final quarter of 2014, representing the best quarter ever for the county in terms of revenue from the 1 percent sales tax.

The collection, up 3.9 percent from the previous quarter, puts the county in a position to collect in the neighborhood of 84 percent of the originally projected $40.4 million from the tax.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Presbyterian Homes Back With Proposal For Oconee County Continuing Care And Retirement Center

U.S. 441 Location

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia is back with yet another attempt to locate a continuing care retirement center in Oconee County.

Plans filed with the Oconee County Planning Department on Monday call for construction of a $120 million complex on just more than 70 acres fronting both on U.S. 441 and Wellbrook Road.

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Oconee County Commissioners Pass Liquor Ordinance After Striking Requirement That Food Be Purchased With Drinks

Hold Line On Map

As a result of action taken last night by the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, the county now has a new liquor ordinance that allows for the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks in county restaurants.

The commissioners removed the requirement that patrons must purchase food with their purchase of these drinks, but they retained the requirement from the existing beer and wine ordinance that the restaurant cannot report that more than 25 percent of its gross income comes from the sales of alcoholic drinks.

Monday, January 05, 2015

Second Reading Of Liquor Ordinance, Three Rezones On Agenda For Oconee County Commissioners

One Rezone Controversial

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners tomorrow night is scheduled to give a second reading to a liquor-by-the-drink ordinance, key features of which remain unspecified.

County Attorney Daniel Haygood drafted an ordinance that he presented to the commissioners back in July and again at their meeting on Dec. 16, when they held the first reading and public hearing on the proposed change in the county laws governing the sale of alcohol.

Sunday, January 04, 2015

Oconee County Voters Concerned About Growth And Traffic As 2014 Came To An End

Survey Finds

Oconee County voters ended the year concerned about over development, traffic problems, and their schools.

Concern about road and traffic problems was up dramatically from two years ago, when the economy had been the major concern of voters in the county.

Thursday, January 01, 2015

Oconee County Liquor Referendum Had Support Of Major Political, Social And Demographic Groups

Survey Analysis Shows

Oconee County voters gave overwhelming support to the liquor-by-the-drink initiative on the ballot in November, and an analysis of survey data from the weeks before that vote shows that all major political, social and demographic groups approved of the change in county liquor laws.

Political conservatives, voters more than 60 years old, evangelical Christians, those who attend church weekly or more often, and voters with children under 18 years of age all favored allowing the county to issue licenses for restaurants to sell liquor by the drink.