Board Of Regents Recommending $1.9 Million In State Funding For Watkinsville Library Expansion

***County Ready To Provide $1.1 Million***

Three years after the state provided $1.8 million for the renovation and expansion of the Bogart Library, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is recommending that $1.9 million be included in the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget for expansion of the Watkinsville Library.

The Board of Regents action follows the recommendation of the Georgia Public Library Service, which put the Watkinsville Library project at number five on a list of 13 Georgia Public Library projects for funding by the state.

Watkinsville Apartment Complex On Hold Until City Decides On Request For Building Permits

***Sewer Capacity Part Of Issue***

Chuck and David Williams ended the year without a resolution to their efforts to move the proposed Wisteria Ridge Apartment Complex on North Main Street in Watkinsville from dormant to active.

Ken Beall, representing the Williams brothers, appeared before the Watkinsville City Council in November with the request that the city issue building permits for a sampling of the 103 residential units in the 15-building complex.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.