Friday, December 28, 2018

Oconee County Election Director Told Republicans She Does Not See Evidence of Voter Fraud Or Voter Suppression

***Says System Secure***

Fran Davis, director of Elections and Registration, told Oconee County Republicans that she does not believe voter fraud exists in Georgia, based on her experience in Oconee County.

She also said she believes the election system is secure because of the “checks and balances” built into it.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Defeated Oconee County State House Representative Told Fellow Democrats Of Positive Outcomes Of Election

***Cited Better Understanding Of Community***

Jonathan Wallace gave Oconee County Democrats a decidedly upbeat assessment of the Nov. 6 election in which he was defeated in his bid to retain his House District 119 seat.

Wallace confessed he was not excited about “the actual outcome of the election,” which he lost to Republican Marcus Wiedower, but he said “There is a lot to be proud about.”

Friday, December 21, 2018

Oconee County Industrial Development Authority Issues Bonds For Presbyterian Village Athens

***County Grants Initial Building Permits***

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority on Wednesday issued $127.8 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for construction of Presbyterian Village Athens on U.S. 441 at Hog Mountain Road.

The issuance of the bonds followed a Nov. 15 ruling by Oconee County Superior Court Judge Lawton E. Stephens that the Authority had properly entered into an agreement with Westminster Presbyterian Homes Inc. of Quitman to pay off the bonds.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

At New Fire House Dedication, Oconee County Officials Note Commercial Demands And Possible Future Need For Paid Firefighters

***Ladder Truck Planned***

The “ribbon” was a yellow fire hose.

Rather than cut it, Oconee County Fire Chief Bruce Thaxton and Board of Commissioners Chair John Daniell uncoupled it.

With that uncoupling, Thaxton said, “We’re now dedicating Station 8 to Oconee County.”

Friday, December 14, 2018

Oconee County Board Of Education Treated To Holiday Song Medley By Elementary School Students

***Rocky Branch Chorus Performed***

The meeting of the Oconee County Board of Education on Monday had a special feature, in keeping with the season.

Eighteen students, making up the Rocky Branch Elementary School Chorus and led by Josh Luke, performed a medley of holiday songs.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Oconee County Planning Commission Recommends Approval Of Rezone Modifications For Two Large Residential Developments

***Part Of Legal Settlement***

The Oconee County Planning Commission took quick action on Monday on three rezone requests dictated by the county’s settlement of lawsuits involving the massive Parkside and Westland projects that together will bring 1,175 new residential lots to the county.

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners actually brought the rezone requests to the Planning Commission, as called for in the settlement of the lawsuits, and the Planning Commission dutifully recommended to the Board of Commissioners that it approve them.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Oconee County Commissioners Granted Variance (And Forgiveness) To Builder Who Said He Made “Small Mistake”

***House Too Close To Street***

Keith Newberry, managing partner at Keystone Custom Homes LLC of Athens, told the Oconee County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting last week that his draftsman made a mistake in drawing site plans for two homes he built this year in Lee Ridge Subdivision southeast of Watkinville.

One house, a 2,370 square-foot structure at 2339 Maddison Avenue, now sits more than four feet closer to the street than the county’s Unified Development Code allows, and Newberry was asking the Board of Commissioner for forgiveness.