Appeal Of Suit Against County Over Voter Registration Challenges Moves To Georgia Supreme Court

***Analysis Shows Three On Challenged List Voted In Person***

The Georgia Supreme Court has received and recorded an appeal of the decision by Oconee Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott in October to dismiss an attempt to force the Oconee County Board of Elections and Registration to review challenges filed in July of last year to the registration of 228 Oconee County voters.

Oconee County resident Suzannah Heimel filed a notice of appeal with the Georgia Court of Appeals on Nov. 26 of Judge Lott’s Oct. 24 ruling dismissing Heimel’s case, arguing that Lott had “misinterpreted the law” and “did not give due process of the law to the Petitioner.”

Athens Regional Library System Board Selects New Executive Director From Neighboring Piedmont Library System

***Beth McIntyre Replaces Valerie Bell***

Beth McIntyre, currently executive director of the Piedmont Regional Library System, will become executive director of the Athens Regional Library System effective March 17.

The Athens Regional Library System Board of Trustees on Thursday selected McIntyre after a search by its Personnel Committee to replace Valerie Bell, who stepped down as executive director of the Athens Regional Library System at the end of last year.

Oconee County Library Board Approves Sculpture By Watkinsville Artist Lawrence Stueck For Library In Wire Park

***Also Agrees To Recognize Previous Board Members***

The Oconee County Library Board of Trustees on Monday approved the placement of a sculpture by Lawrence Stueck, a Watkinsville environmental sculptor and art teacher, at the Oconee County Library in Wire Park.

The artwork, labeled “You Are Here,” is multidimensional to reflect the intersection of the United States, Georgia, and Oconee County.

Oconee School Board Elects Ransom Board Chair, Discusses School Resource Officers, Opting Out Of Statewide Homestead Exemption

***Swearing In At Front Of Meeting***

From the very beginning of the Oconee County Board of Education meeting on Monday evening, there was no doubt whom the Board was going to elect as its new chair.

When the five Board members, one after the other, entered the Board public meeting room from the smaller executive board meeting room, Ransom took the chair position, next to Superintendent Jason Branch.

Oconee School Board Member Says He Got Approval From Two Colleagues On Board’s Intent To Opt Out Of Homestead Exemption

***No Public Meeting Held Before Announcement***

Oconee County School Board Member Michael Ransom said he contacted Board members Amy Parrish and Ryan Hammock before he decided to announce on Jan. 2 that the Board intends to opt out of the statewide homestead exemption approved by voters on Nov. 5.

Ransom said he made the opt out decision after the Dec. 9 meeting of the Board and that he received the approval of Parrish and Hammock for the decision.

Oconee County Commissioners Approve Townley Family Partnership’s Plans For 120-Lot Residential Subdivision

***Plans For Recreational Rental Cabins Also Approved***

Oconee County Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved Tony Townley’s request for rezones for a 120-lot residential subdivision on 300 acres north of Hog Mountain Road between Rocky Branch and Hodges Mill roads.

It also approved, again unanimously, a request by Dixon Family Trust of 2012 for a special use allowing the Trust to add 10 rental cabins on part of 356 acres it owns that front on Hog Mountain and Lane Creek roads.

Oconee County School Board Announces Plan To Opt Out Of Statewide Property Tax Exemption, Though No Vote By Board Was Taken

***Michael Ransom Takes Responsibility For Decision***

The Oconee County Board of Education does not intend to join in a homestead exemption approved overwhelmingly by voters--statewide and in Oconee County--in November that would limit increases in the assessed value of property that is a homestead.

Taxing authorities in the state are allowed to opt out of what is referred to as a floating homestead exemption based on inflation designed to limit increases in the assessed value and tax of homestead property.