Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Oconee County Library Moving To Planned County Administrative Building On Northern Edge Of Watkinsville

***No Time Line For Move***

The Oconee County Library on Experiment Station Road in Watkinsville will expand and become a part of the county Administrative Building planned for the 7.63-acre tract the county has purchased just outside the northern boundary of Watkinsville on U.S. 441.

The county made the announcement of the move Tuesday evening following a vote by the Oconee County Library Board of Trustees to approve of the move on July 8.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Hearings Set For Tax Increases For Oconee County Schools And County Government

***Starting On Thursday***

Oconee County residents will have six chances starting on Thursday morning to tell their elected officials what they think about their decisions not to reduce property taxes to compensate for the effects of inflation on property values.

The Board of Education will hold the first of three public hearings at 10 a.m. on Thursday in the Board Meeting Room at the Superintendent’s Office, 34 School Street, Watkinsville.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Candidate Williamson Asks Democrats For Help In Oconee County Republican Primary For Sheriff

***Questioned About Guns And School Safety***

Jimmy Williamson is running for Oconee County Sheriff as a Republican, but he asked Democrats assembled at the party meeting last month to help him with his campaign.

“Anybody that wants to help me get my name out, and help people understand that I’m the most qualified candidate, I appreciate the help,” Williamson said.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Oconee County Government And Schools Still Having Communication Problems Regarding Roundabouts At Malcom Bridge Middle School

***Operations Report Illustrates***

Oconee County government and Oconee County schools still are talking past each other regarding roundabouts at entrances to Malcom Bridge Middle School.

Board of Commissioners Chair John Daniell sent an email message to all five Board of Education members late on Monday morning, explaining that the county probably will not begin construction until next summer on the planned roundabouts at the parent and bus entrances to the middle school.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Watkinsville Wants Input From Users Of Harris Shoals Park As It Considers Major Additions To Facilities

***Survey Not Restricted To Residents***

The city of Watkinsville is seeking input from all users of Harris Shoals Park–not just from residents of the city–as City Council considers proposed major changes for the park.

The survey asks respondents how often they use the park, located off Experiment Station Road, and what kinds of improvements they would like to see at the park.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Oconee County Commission Moves Forward With Condemnation For Sewer Line Along Colliers And Barber Creeks

***9 Of 11 Easements In Hand***

Oconee County has obtained nine of the 11 easements for construction of a sewer line along Colliers Creek and Barber Creek that will be used to provide sewage treatment for the massive Parkside subdivision between Mars Hill Road and Hog Mountain Road.

Discussion with one of the remaining landowners is ongoing, according to County Attorney Daniel Haygood, but negotiations with the other–and most important landowner in terms of total needed acreage--has resulted in court action.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Georgia Department Of Transportation Picks Plan With Detour Route For New Apalachee River Bridge At High Shoals

***Bridge Links Oconee And Walton Counties***

While acknowledging citizen opposition to its plan, the Georgia Department of Transportation has decided that closing the SR 186 bridge over the Apalachee River at High Shoals and detouring traffic 15.8 miles around the construction of a replacement bridge is the preferred option.

The project is now in preliminary design stage, Mindy Sanders, GDOT project manager said Tuesday.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Oconee County Planning Commission Has Full Agenda, Including For Commercial Development And Event Venue Along U.S. 78

***Also Being Asked To Allow New Subdivision***

The Oconee County Planning Commission has a full agenda Monday night, including a request for commercial development along U.S. 78 near the Walton County line and for a new subdivision in the far south of the county at the Greene County line.

In both cases, the request is to convert land designated for agricultural use to development.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Oconee County Commissioners Postpone Decision On Buffer In Morningside Subdivision On Hodges Mill Road

***Will Reconsider On Aug. 6***

Unable to decide if a builder should be allowed to violate a buffer on six lots in Morningside subdivision off Hodges Mill Road to deal with storm water drainage, the Board of Commissioners last week put off a decision until its August meeting.

Commissioner Mark Saxon had made a motion to deny the request, and Commissioner Chuck Horton seconded the motion, but they could not get support from the other three commissioners.