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.