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Posted By Kate on March 17, 2010

 What Happened in the MONTH of NOVEMBER – 2009

A long article, but a memory refresher of some of the major events that occurred in November

Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sharecropper Home Added to History Village.   Two elderly gentlemen, natives of Oconee County have purchased an old dilapidated structure that was once a home for a share cropper and his family to the county to join the other historic buildings at Heritage Park on U S Hwy 441 in the southern part of the county. Albert Ward and Zachary Norville are also paying for the restoration of the “shack.” They insist on using as much of the original material or supplant it with the same type but newer material. Other structures in the Park are the

Covered Bridge Over Rose Creek in Oconee Co

original Central School House and a period furnished colonial home. There is discussion to add an old farm equipment barn to the mix someday if one is donated.

Sunday, November 1, 2009
CIT Group Filed for Bankruptcy.  After months of trying to negotiate to avoid bankruptcy, CIT Group Inc had to file for Chapter 11 today in an attempt to reconcile their indebtedness. This filing is one of the biggest in the history of corporate America after Washington Mutual, Lehman Brothers, General Motors and Worldcom. CIT’s financial record show a $71 BILLION assets against a $64.9 BILLION  debt. Current stock holders of common and preferred stock will be wiped out by CIT’s move. U S Treasury Department will be closely watching the bankruptcy proceedings and said that recovery to common stock holder will be very small.

Monday, November 2, 2009
“Work Ready” Test for High School Students at OCHS.  Work Ready is a computer program that allows students to test their readiness for entering the work force. It was initiated by Governor Perdue and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to give students an assessment of their skills for work in the real world. Skills are tested in the area of math, reading comprehension, locating information. The school gather more than 300 computers from around the campus for use in the testing.  All students received a Work Ready Certificate at either a platinum, gold, silver or bronze level. A certificate puts a students ahead if he/she is going to college or entering a technical school or looking for a job to save for school expenses. A Georgia Employer looks for a Work Ready certificate in an application and will favor that person over others. Some Employers are beginning to require a WR certificate to even be considered for the job. The Work Ready 3-hour free exam was administered by a staff of the Athens Technical College who spent about 5 hours making preparations for the test at Oconee County High School. The more persons that take the test in this area and receive a certificate, the better the chances that an industry or manufacturer will locate here and provide local jobs.

Monday, November 2, 2009
Funds for Heating Bill Available.  The Georgia Department of Human Resources through ACTION, Inc in the area are offering funds for heating assistance to seniors today. The funds ($310 to $350 per household) will be offered to the general public on December 1. To be eligible to receive assistance, families must meet a list of criteria: 1) proof of income (maximum gross $21,458 plus $6,000 for additional breadwinners in the household);  2) most recent home heating bill; 3) picture ID of applicant; and 4) proof of Social Security number. Call 706-769-3981.

Monday, November 2, 2009
Public Option Opt Out for Georgia.  The Harry Reid health care bill as being written and working its way through the committees would include a public option health care plan – a Universal Government-Run Heath plan – but with an exception – state governments could chose to opt out of the plan in their states. Many of the Republican candidates running for Governor of Georgia are on record opposing anything related to a publically funded plan – Eric Johnson and Karen Handel to name a few. No word yet from the Democratic candidates for Governor.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
House Health Care Bill Cost TRILLIONS.   Headlines in an article in the November 3 issue of the Athens Banner Herald reads: EXPERTS: House Health Care Bill Totals $1.2 TRILLION, although U S House Speaker Pelosi has repeatedly quoted the cost at $894 BILLION. The Congressional Budget Office which is non-partisan estimates the bill to cost at least 1 $TRILLION, but Democrats added billions more on higher spending for  additional amenities designed to ease access and improve benefits. The bill states a complicated method of taxing citizens today to pay for it although, those benefits won’t take affect for 10 years in the future (2020). These numbers are just impossible to even imagine not to speak of comprehending them.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
TEA Party Candidate Makes Waves.  In New York’s 23^rd Congressional District, a shakeup has occurred. Long time Republican representative, John McHugh stepped down to take the appointed position of Army Secretary and left a vacancy. The State GOP selected Dede Scozzafava, a Republican who endorses abortion to replace McHugh, but she was forced out of the race (she endorsed abortion and gay marriage) by an upcoming Conservative Party Candidate, Doug Hoffman which takes an anti-incumbent anti-government anti-establishment stance. Need to watch the race closely and other races because the Conservative TEA Party folks are speaking loud and clear.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
BOC Ponders Joint Economic Task Force With Clarke County.  About a year ago, Oconee BOC Chairman Melvin Davis and Clarke BOC Chairwoman Heidi Davison met to discuss the possibility of merging their respective Economic Development Departments. Individuals were appointed from both counties to study the pros and cons and send back a recommendation to the 2 BOCs. That document report was made public a few months ago and since that time a few meetings have taken place to assess the reaction of both BOCs. Clarke County bought into the idea right away and have budgeted a quarter million to support it. Oconee’s BOC had many questions and decided to hold public meetings to gauge the sentiment of the public. The Oconee BOC is split – Commissioner John Daniel and Commissioner Jim Luke are in favor and would vote to authorize a specified amount of funds. Commissioner Margaret Hale is not so sure it would be a good idea and Commissioner Chuck Horton has openly said he could not vote for it. The Chamber announced at the meeting that they favored the idea of a “regional” economic development authority, but did not endorse this specific one. Former Oconee Development Authority Chairman Amrey Harden endorsed the recommendation as did several other prominent leaders. However, the citizens are leery of the idea with comments like:  “Oconee County has the land in a desirable place and we don’t need to spend unnecessary funds to go in with another county to entice an employer to locate here. It’s just another layer of high salaries.”

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Foreclosures in Georgia.   In October, last month (the latest figures), according to RealtyTrac’s, there were 12,468 filings for bank re-possessions, homes auctioned, foreclosures and default notices – 26% higher than this time last year (2008) for Georgia alone. This amounts to 1 foreclosure for every 318 homes. Georgia had the 8^th highest foreclosure rate in the U S. For the nation, the figures are 332,292 foreclosures, 1 for every 385 homes.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Senator Reid Says Health Care Bill Ready for Vote.    They have worked hard for nearly 10 months on the Health Care bill which is without one element of a Republican idea in it. That’s because the Democrats have kept the Republicans out of meetings, refused to let their amendments be debated and added and generally told the opposition that they won both houses and now they are in charge and really don’t need any input from the opposition to get the a universal health care bill passed and signed into law on Christmas Eve.  Their bill as written will cost the American people $1.2 TRILLION but won’t go into affect for 10 years but will tax every citizen starting immediately after becoming law.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Gay Marriage Law Losing in Maine.    A referendum is being considered today in the State of Maine which includes a question to the voter of whether they feel the gay marriage law should be appealed or affirmed. With 481 of the 608 precincts reported in, the pro-appeal is winning by 52% to 48%. It might prove to be a heartbreaking outcome for gays in a state where the population of homosexual and lesbians is increasing. A vote to uphold the law would be the first time that an electorate endorsed gay marriage in any state. If it is appealed, it will be the second state, with California’s vote against a court ruling for gay marriage last year. In the Maine vote, if repealed, it would be a rejection of a legislative law – a first.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sidewalks For Butler’s Crossing Area in Oconee.    At the BOC meeting last night, Commissioners discussed the status of sidewalks planned for the area in 1997 and approved in 2003. The project was part of the widening of Mars Hill Road project which was postponed for lack of DOT funds. Now that the widening project is back on the active list, the sidewalk will be completed. It will run from Stonebridge Subdivision on Experiment Station Road to the traffic light at Butler’s Crossing and all the way to Northwest Woods Subdivision on Mars Hill. Then starting at Butler’s Crossing, it will run to Oconee County High School. Cost will be about $280,000, 80% of which will be funded by DOT. The County will pay for the right-of-way acquisition. In the T-shape construction, the sidewalks will be available for children from many subdivisions in the area to walk to school. When the widening takes place, sidewalks and bike lanes will be constructed on Mars Hill Road all the way to the Oconee Connection at SR 316.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
GOP Wins Big in Virginia & New Jersey.   Bob McDonnell won over Creigh Deeds for the Governorship in Virginia. Chris Christie beat New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Conservatives and Independents came out swinging. Their vote said “we don’t like the direction the country is being taken by Democrats. Other contests were carried out in California Congressional Districts, mayor and city council races. The results in Virginia and New Jersey have shaken the White House and Congress. They don’t quite what to make of it since both states went for Obama in the presidential election.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mars Hill Right-Of-Way Acquisition Begins.   The project was approved by local authorities and the State DOT in 2003 but funds were not available then. Now the State has decided to partially fund the widening if the county will fund the right-of-way acquisition (r-o-w) for about 100 parcels along the road on both sides. The State will eventually reimburse the county in 4 increments of $2.45 million for a total of $9.8 million for the completed r-o-w acquisition by 2012. Then the widening construction of the road can begin. The project was considered top priority because studies have shown that 20,000 vehicles travel the corridor each day and that number is projected to increase to 30,000 within the next 10 years.

 Thursday, November 5, 2009
Fort Hood Tradegy – 12 Killed.   An Army Major walked into a Common Room at Fort Hood, a Military Base in Texas where men and women were milling around waiting to be briefed on what to expect when deployed when a fellow soldier took his military gun and aimed and shot 12 of his fellow soldiers before he was stopped by bullets from some of the military police. The shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is a military trained Psychiatric doctor, 8 years in the military and 39 years of age. Were signs of Hasan being under stress ignored? How could this happen so suddenly. Investigations are ongoing in the background of Hasan to try to uncover the “why.” He has been arrested but in now in a Texas hospital being treated for gunshot wounds.

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Oconee Citizen Donates For Scholarships.   Larry Benson & Sons, owners of the Marriott SpringHill Suites in Oconee County has presented the Athens Technical Foundation which supports the Athens Tech College with a $10,000 check. The Bensons encourage other businesses to also contribute to the Foundation. The funds will be used to grant scholarships to students interested in a career in the hospitality field (hotel, restaurant and tourism management). It is an effort to fill the workforce with a number of WorkReady citizens for employment in this location. Some students receiving scholarships have worked summer jobs as interns with the 4 different hotels owned by the Benson Family in Athens and Oconee County.

Friday, November 6, 2009
Graysons Win at Cattleman’s Banquet.    Hunter Grayson and his father, Richard are big-time Black Hat Cowboys. That’s because their cattle ranch is named Black Hat and their business is a family tradition for over 100 years. They raise about 50 Herefords on a 60-acre farm in southern Oconee. And friends recognized their contribution to the industry at the annual banquet this year. The Clarke-Oconee Cattlemen’s Association recently held its annual awards banquet to recognize members for accomplishments and install new officers. Winners and their awards were  Woodson and Becky Montgomery, the Environmental Stewardship Award; Chelsea Lee, a college scholarship; Mike Lee, outstanding service; Patrick Savelle, college scholarship; and Hunter Grayson and his father, Richard Grayson, Cattleman of the Year Award. The speaker for the banquet, held at the Oconee Civic Center, was Dr. Robert Stewart, interim executive vice president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. Installed as new officers for the association were Richard Grayson, president; Karl Berg, first vice president; Jim Pooser, second vice president; and Corrine Stiving, secretary/treasurer.

Friday, November 6, 2009
Another Bank Closing in GA.    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took over 5 banks on Friday, November 6, 2009. These closings bring the total for the year to 120. The banks closed are located in California, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri. The banks include United Commercial Bank, San Francisco, California, Gateway Bank of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, Prosperan Bank, Oakdale, Minnesota, Home Federal Savings Bank, Detroit, Michigan, and United Security Bank, Sparta, Georgia. United Security Bank, Sparta, Georgia United Security Bank, Sparta, Georgia, was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, which appointed the FDIC as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Ameris Bank, Moultrie, Georgia, to assume all of the deposits of United Security Bank. The two branches of United Security Bank will reopen during their normal business hours as branches of Ameris Bank. This includes the branch in Woodstock, Georgia, that operated as the Bank of Woodstock also is part of today’s transaction. It, too, will re-open as a branch of Ameris Bank. Depositors of United Security Bank will automatically become depositors of Ameris Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branch until Ameris Bank can fully integrate the deposit records of United Security Bank. The total bank failures this year is the highest since 1992, when a whopping 181 entities folded up due to savings and loan crisis. Moreover, the collapses are about five-fold higher than 2008, when just 25 banks went belly up.

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Jobless Rate Hit Double Digits.    Authorities thought that the economy was about to turn around or at least stabilize when the Labor Department announced that the jobless rate had climbed to 10.2%, the highest since 1983 – 27 years.  And now predictions are that it could get even worse peaking at 11% which would be the worst on record since WWII. Obama signed a decree to extend unemployment benefits for another year and gave tax credits to for first time home buyers. The report does not include those people who have stopped looking for jobs which if added would send the rate to a soaring 17.0%. About 15.7 million workers are now jobless. Small companies in the housing industry have downsized laying off half or more of their workers because of the housing slump and the high cost of health care for employers. A jobs bill is sorely needed at this point with a cost cutting health care reform.

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Political Use of Abortion Issue.  Saturday, November 7, 2009, was an important day in American history. It was the day American political leaders once again pushed the nation further into a socialist, nanny state. With the House of Representatives’ passage of HR 3962 late Saturday evening, the United States moved closer to a statist government, America’s Founding Fathers so vociferously warned against. In the tense hours preceding the healthcare bill vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrangled, cajoled, arm-twisted and earmarked her way to the 218 votes necessary for passage. Part of her negotiations included bringing into the fold pro-life Democrats who protested any public funding of abortion in a public option healthcare plan. To obtain her needed majority, Pelosi allowed inclusion of an amendment co-authored by Congressmen Bart Stupak (D) and Joe Pitts (R) which prevents taxpayer funding of abortion within the government healthcare plan. No sooner had the healthcare legislation passed than some pro-life leaders immediately proclaimed victory for the inclusion of such restrictions on abortion in the new government-run healthcare system. Granted, any exclusion of abortion funding in a Democrat-controlled Congress is significant. But in the culture war to regain true sanctity of life, prohibiting abortion funding in a bill that overall disregards the sanctity of life, this was not a pro-life victory. The Stupak-Pitts amendment could end up being a brilliant political tactic: a poison pill provision that, if included in the final version of the bill, would dissuade President Obama from signing it into law. However, Obama’s commitment to passing socialist healthcare surpasses any commitment to public funding of abortion. Imposing a radical new government program that will increase public dependence on a gargantuan centralized government is paramount for Democrat leaders who seem to have no regard for individual liberty. And as long as Roe vs. Wade is allowed to stand as the law of the land, Congress and other government agencies will find ways to fund their abortion allies. – Washington Post

Saturday, November 7, 2009
U S House Passes Its Version of Health Care Bill.    The Democratic control House narrowly passed its version of health care late Saturday night by a 220-215 vote. The staff had to include language that would forbid the federal government paying for abortions as demanded by the more conservative Democrats (about 40) which allowed them to vote for it. The bill requires that all persons residing in the U S must carry insurance even the non-citizen of which there are about 20 million. If anybody refused, they would be fined the amount of the insurance. This is an effort to get everybody on a Public Option which most Americans do not want because it would be an universal entitlement that would bankrupt the U S economy. It would not be sustainable. Congressmen on the August leave got an earful from citizens at their Town Hall meetings. Many citizens are joining the Republican Congressmen in saying “no” to the bill and a groundswell of opposition is cropping up all over the nation in the form of TEA Party Patriots. But has Obama and Congress heard them yet?

 Saturday, November 7, 2009
More on Fort Hood Shooter.    Hasan, the 39-year old shooter of now 13 of his fellow soldiers and another 30 wounded, was an example of contradiction. On the outside he was the ideal soldier pledging his allegiance to the country he promised to protect and taking advantage of a free education from the military, but secretly, he was a different person – communicating with fellow Muslims in as far away as Turkey, and Islamic religious leaders who advised that he should follow the Koran and kill the “infidel.” He mentioned several times that he thought the war against Islam was wrong. Contact with his family in northern Virginia shed no answers because they could not understand his actions and denounced them. All military bases in the US have been told to beef up security while the investigation continues.

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Remembrance for Veterans In Oconee.   A solemn remembrance took place today for the Veterans of our County at the Veterans Memorial Monument in Veterans Park at 3 pm. Many citizens gathered to pay homage to family and friends that have served in the military and paid the highest price – their lives – for our freedom. First the Color Guard to recognize the various military branches, then the salute to our nation’s flag, then a prayer led by the Veterans Committee Chairman, Rev Larry Davison.  US Army Retired, Col Larry Saul, our guest speaker was introduced by his friend Oconee resident David Williams. A shadow box token with a folded flag, photo of the Memorial Monument and a plaque inside was presented to Ms Peggy Roberts in memory of her husband, Col John Roberts who was an active member of the Veterans Committee that worked tirelessly to raise funds to build the memorial. He passed away in May 2009. Jim Alexander laid the Memorial wreath after which visitors laid their own wreaths for their loved ones. Taps played by Benjamin Boscoff ended the ceremony. About 150 people attended.

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Remembrance for Veterans in Bogart.   At 4 pm, another ceremony was held in Bogart, Oconee County on the square. The names of veterans from the county were etched into a marble memorial similar to the national Vietnam Memorial. Fifty (50) white crosses stood tall for fallen veterans. About 100 people attended.

Monday, November 9, 2009
Patti Ivy Retires Oconee Development Authority.   At this afternoon’s meeting of the ODA, Patti resigned her constitutional position with the Authority after10 years of service. She dabbled in real estate, her Developer son was her right arm advisor and as such she gave the authority significant insight. Patti was also the person who, back in 1975, she started the effort to build a new Oconee County Library. She worked tirelessly to raise $70 thousand to be matched by the county to build a 5,000 sq ft building as a branch of the Regional Library. She will be missed and she was showered with good wishes before leaving.

Monday, November 9, 2009
Hotel Tax for the County.  When the Citizen’s Advisory Committee met, they were presented a wish list on how to spend the tax dollars collected (probably no more than $50,000 per year) from the new and first Oconee County Hotel (Marriott SpringHill Suites by the Benson Family on Daniels Bridge Road and the Oconee Connecter). The 6 committee members making their requests were: Lisa Davol wants improvements for Parks & Rec; Russ page wants to use it to match federal dollars for farmland preservation in the county; Clarke County wants $10,000 for the inclusion of Oconee in their advertising efforts; Bob Marable of OCAF wants a giant promotion of Oconee County that pulls all tourist attractions together; and Jerry Chappelle, artist and teacher wants to promote Oconee Arts to attract more tourists. However, in these trying times with a sagging economy, the hotel tax may not amount to much, so the “chickens should not be counted before they hatch,” said one county official. 

Monday, November 9, 2009
2 Added to Oconee Education Hall of Fame.  Retired teacher Jean Bell and former School Superintendent Dr Debra Harden, both spent their entire careers in education and most of it in the Oconee School system were given the honor of being inducted in the Oconee School System’s Hall of Fame tonight at the Board of Education meeting.  Kudos were handed out generously for both educators by those who had been taught of guided under her employment.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
No Job Openings.    According to surveys released by the government and private entities, the job openings are at a record low. Small businesses account for about 60% of new job openings in normal times, but they are absolutely not hiring now. There are about 6 people competing for each job that is available. Small Business Optimism about the economy is down 5 points since the reading was taken in December of 2007. As high as 16% of small businesses are reluctant to expand or hire while others are laying off workers. Credit is almost non-existent for the small business.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Fort Hood Shooter Acted Alone. The Fort Hood Army psychiatrist, Major Nidal Malik Hasan who murdered 13 of his fellow soldiers at the military installation acted alone in the shooting, but investigations have turned up evidence that he communicated via e-mail overseas nearly 20 times with a radical imam, Anwar al-Awlaki who has been under scrutiny for writing blogs that denounces US policy as anti-Muslim. Further investigation is being conducted while Hasan remains in recovery from wounds received from base security at the scene.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Flooding Expected Next Few Days.  The results of Tropical Storm Ida may bring 2 to 3 inches of rain today. The rain is not so welcomed after experiencing the wettest 2 months (September and October 2009) in the history of the Athens Area. More than 19 inches fell during that time according to the U S Weather Service.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Land Use & Transportation Meet.  The significance of this meeting was the appearance of Frank Bishop, developer of the new large shopping center called the Epps Bridge Shopping Centre. His 78 acre land where the proposed shopping center will be built will disturb a patch of wetlands and a stream which is against environmental regulations. When that happens, the US Corps of Engineers steps in evaluates the wetlands destruction and assigns so many credits based on the amount of destruction. They also stipulate that the developer must find wetlands and a stream somewhere else, preferably in the same watershed, to replace what is destroyed by development. The developer must find someone with similar wetlands on his property in which a number of credits can be assigned. The developer must purchase the credits (not the wetlands per se) to compensate for the destruction of the wetlands on his property. At the meeting, Bishop said he had found wetlands with credits in Greene County which is in the same Oconee River Watershed, which he could purchase. However, several citizens wanted the mitigation for replacement wetlands to be in Oconee County, perhaps Rose Creek, not in Greene County. The Land Use & Transportation Committee voted not to recommend to the BOC that the mitigation take place in Oconee County. Bishop can purchase the credits in Greene County, if the BOC approves.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day Special.   Although many groups chose to honor our veterans on another day (Oconee & Bogart on Sunday, November 8), today is the almost sacred day for that honor. It is a Federal Holiday also. Our Veterans are dying at an alarming rate and many memories die with them. Families and friends all over the nation are paying tribute today for the lives given to protect our freedoms.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Secretary of Defense Gates To Speak.    The fall graduation of UGA graduates will hear U S Military Secretary Robert Gates who received an invitation from UGA President Michael Adams. The two have known each other for a long time.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hearing Loss Film Making.  Our State Representative, Bob Smith was born and raised on Main Street in Watkinsville. At about 10 years old, he started losing his ability to hear and it progressed until he had to get hearing aids. Now he uses the latest technology for top quality hearing especially in the Legislative hall and committee rooms. His story has inspired a film maker from Denmark, Sweden to capture the in and outs of hearing loss for a documentary. Smith will be featured in the film to talk about his legislation that became law to help over 2000 Georgians obtain improved hearing.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Joint Marketing Efforts by Oconee-Clarke.   Both counties are in a slump for development and need each other. So the Directors of the 2 entities that were created to promote development are already engaged in a joint effort. They are Oconee County Economic Development Authority Director Rusty Haygood and Athens/Clarke County Economic Development Foundation Director, Drew Page. Drew is retiring but he promised to stay long enough to see the 2 counties sign an agreement for a joint marketing strategy before the retirement date. That may not happen since Oconee has not been completely convinced that it is a good idea. Concerns are: how much will it cost?, could that scarce money be put to a better use? Who will put in infrastructure of parcels of single-owner lands that straddle both counties and how long should each county continue to put money into the agreement to pay salaries when no development is on the horizon? Oconee will conduct public meetings before making a decision.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Harris Shoals Park to Get a Make Over.   For the First ever, Watkinsville (and the other 3 cities) will share in the pot of SPLOST funds that come in. A few meetings back of the Watkinsville City Council, members decided to apply SPLOST funds to the Harris Shoals Park with new bath facilities, a paved parking area, a new children’s playground, a new picnic area with more shaded tables, clean-up of the old BBQ pit (or discard), a clean-up of the stream and more swings by the stream. It will take about $300,000 and they plan to send out a RFP (Request For Proposal) as soon as early next year. Plans have been drawn and citizens have given their input. Renovations should be completed by end of 2010 if no major snags are encountered.

Thursday, November 12,  2009
Army Major Killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood.    Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, the Army psychiatrist, Islamic believer, accused of opening fire on a group of soldiers at Fort Hood last week, was charged today with premeditated murder in the deaths of 12 soldiers and a civilian and could face other charges, an Army official said. The investigation continues. Premeditated murder carries the death penalty in the military. Who is Major Hasan and what was his motive?

 Thursday, November 12, 2009
Unemployment Still on the Rise.   The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate has climbed ever so slightly to 10.2 from 10.1 from September to October 2009. It is the highest in 26 years according to the data. Michael Thurmond, Georgia’s Labor Commissioner predicts that there will be little improvement in the jobs scene until Georgia businesses start hiring again.

 Thursday, November 12, 2009
The 2010 Elections Could Be A Surprise.    Democrats will be forced to explain votes and positions on the expensive economic stimulus plan, climate change legislation and, probably, the health care overhaul. Although Democrats have a popular president on their side, there are limits to Obama’s clout; Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia lost last week even though he campaigned for them. Republicans hope to pick up seats by harnessing the sour public mood and voter wariness over Obama’s policies. The GOP is re-energized, but faces tension between conservatives and moderates over the party’s direction, just as Democrats did between liberals and moderates when they were out of power. The Republican Party also lacks a leader, though presidential aspirants such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are jockeying for position as they campaign and raise money for GOP candidates. Both parties face a bunch of primaries. Conservatives are challenging establishment-favored Republicans in several states, including Florida and California, while liberals are taking on Democratic moderates in Pennsylvania, Colorado and elsewhere. Most governor’s seats, more than one-third of the Senate, all 435 House districts and state legislatures will be on the general election ballot in November 2010.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Heene Family Found Guilty.   The Colorado parents accused of pulling a spectacular hoax by reporting their son was aboard a runaway balloon have pleaded guilty. Richard Heene pleaded guilty today, to the charge of attempting to influence a public servant and could face some jail time and probation. Richard Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly and falsely influencing Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, a felony. Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, a misdemeanor. Richard Heene told judge Stephen Schapanski he understood that he could have to pay restitution for the costs incurred by public agencies because of his actions. Local and federal authorities spent at least $62,000 pursuing the balloon and searching for 6-year-old Falcon after it landed. Schapanski told Mayumi Heene that her plea doesn’t automatically prevent any action by federal authorities regarding her immigration status; she is a Japanese citizen. Her attorney, Lee Christian, acknowledged that was the case but said avoiding a trial could reduce the consequences. Chief deputy district attorney Andrew Lewis told the judge that prosecutors always intended to charge Mayumi Heene with a misdemeanor based on her cooperation with authorities and what he called her lower level of culpability in the incident. He insisted prosecutors never used the threat of deportation in her case — contrary to what Richard Heene’s attorney David Lane has said. Christian said the possibility of going to trial and risking a felony conviction was one of “many reasons” Mayumi Heene wanted to plead guilty. Prosecutors would like the Heenes to serve some time in jail, but the final decision will be made by Schapanski. In the meantime, Lane said Richard Heene intends to seek employment with trips to New York and California and Mayumi Heene plans to accompany him. The judge adjusted their bond to allow them to do so, as long as they report to probation services within seven days. Lane told the judge that Richard Heene has an “employment opportunity” in New York. Lane declined to elaborate as he left the courtroom, and Heene waved off questions. Business associates of Richard Heene said before the balloon incident Richard Heene was trying to pitch a TV series based on science. The Heenes are amateur storm chasers and had twice appeared on the ABC reality show “Wife Swap.” Mayumi Heene allegedly told investigators the balloon launch was a hoax aimed at promoting a possible reality television show. Neither she nor her husband discussed their intent during the court hearing and neither apologized.

After the hearing, when asked whether he had anything to say to the people who helped look for his son, Richard Heene didn’t respond.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Questionable Numbers of Jobs Created With Stimulus Money.  An independent federal board reported that nearly 650,000 direct jobs have been saved or created because of stimulus program money provided to businesses, contractors, state and local governments, nonprofit groups and universities. Since the Obama Adm announced this month that 1 million jobs were created or saved as a direct result of Obama Stimulus package (American Recovery and Re-investment Act), the method for counting has come under doubt. New data released today by the Labor Department represents 156,614 federal contracts, grants and loans worth a total of $215 billion that went to more than 62,000 recipients. The largest number of jobs were created or saved by state governments. Officials who did the counting at numerous institutions said they might have elevated the numbers because they used the method for counting that was prescribed by the Obama Administration.  “We just calculated the total as instructed” quoted by a UGA official whose University received over $19 million of the stimulus money. Should citizens be cautious in believing the government’s estimates. Unemployment continues to rise. It hit a 26-year high of 10.2% in October rising from a 9.8% rate in September. If jobs are continuing to be lost, should the 650,000 jobs saved be considered as jobs created?

Friday, November 13, 2009
Terrorists Tried In Civilian Court In NY City.   Today, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five other terrorists would be tried in a civilian court in New York City rather than before a military tribunal. Pressing Holder on this decision at yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight hearing of the U.S. Department of Justice, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked “Can you give me a case in United States history where an enemy combatant caught on a battlefield was tried in civilian court?” Holder responded: “I don’t know. I’d have to look at that. I think that, you know, the determination I’ve made…” At which point Graham interjected: “We’re making history here, Mr. Attorney General. I’ll answer it for you. The answer is no.” Holder’s decision does make history. And not in a good way. Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed their commitment to military commissions in 2006, which have historically been the way that we respond to acts of war. To abandon our two centuries of tradition and to substitute some new civilian procedure as a response to such attacks endangers the security of our country and our national interest. It was a tragic mistake to decide to abandon the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, which was designed physically and legally to handle these types of cases. It is a further tragic mistake to now bring the detained war combatants into the United States and to employ civilian criminal procedures which were never intended for this type of situation. The U.S. Constitution protects American citizens and visitors from the moment they are suspected of criminal wrongdoing through a potential trial. Protections under the U S Constitution are not, have never, and should not be granted to enemy combatants in war, since it is clear that regardless of the outcome of the trial, these detainees will likely remain in the custody of the United States.

Friday, November 13, 2009
NASA Spacecraft Hits Moon And Finds Water.   NASA scientists intentionally flew a space implement into the moon today and found an abundance of water – a surprise to most. The lunar impact kicked up about 25 gallons said Anthony Colaprete, the mission’s principle investigator. This affords scientists to set up base camp for future astronauts.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Obama Makes 5^th Foreign Address in Japan.   After being in office 10 months, Obama traveled to Tokyo to deliver a hard line speech directed at North Korea to abandon their nuclear weapons program. He tried to set a cooperative tone since he is of the belief that America has been to harsh and arrogant (from his campaign speeches) to the rest of the world. He bowed to the Premier of Japan when first they met which angered some Americans back home.

 Friday, November 13, 2009
GA House Speaker Richardson Allegedly Attempts Suicide.  The Speaker said Friday that he has been diagnosed with severe depression and has not been able to overcome. He admitted that it was so severe that he attempted “to take my own life.” Earlier he had said that he has been depressed since his separation and divorce from his wife, Susan. Rumors have been circulating that he is involved with a lobbyist who works for the utility company that he is helping to get favorable legislation passed. Richardson has been in a contentious relationship with his peers for almost a year. He called for the ouster of the Lt Governor, Casey Cagle after Cagle help defeat Richardson’s tax cut plan in the 2008 Session. He also referred to the Governor as “showing his backside” when he vetoed a tax cut that Richardson had pushed through the Assembly. At one point, his speakership position was challenged by Rep David Ralston, but he survived.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Georgia U S Senator Johnny Isakson Speaks.  Isakson says that the “public option” (government run health care) is dead because so many have grave doubts that the government can run anything efficiently – U S Post Office, Medicare, Social Security, etc. And he said that there are so many snags that there will not be a vote this year – maybe in January although Obama is pushing the Senate to hurry and get a bill he can sign before year’s end. One of the biggest snags is the cadre (40) of “Blue Dog” Democrats – those that have very conservative values and have pledged to vote against it if it includes a Public Option. All 60 Democrats are needed to pass a bill without a filibuster from the Republicans. Not one Republican Senator has shown approval for the bill as it stands now. Isakson was a guest ot the more than 2000 College Republicans on the UGA Campus.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Mastermind of 9/11 Tried  in NY Federal Court.   Khalid Sheik Mohammed — the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks (planes flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City),  — and four co-defendants will be tried in federal court in New York instead of a military commission, it was announced today. The long-awaited decisions on prosecution, part of President Obama’s quest to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, do not affect the vast majority of the 215 prisoners held at the prison. Administration officials say they expect that up to 40 of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay will ultimately be tried in either federal court or military commissions — possibly including federal courts in the District or Alexandria. Approximately 90 others have been cleared for repatriation or resettlement in a third country, according to an administration official. Would a jury let these murderers go free if the Feds could not prove that they actually committed the crime? Something to really think about.

Saturday, November 14, 2009
State Facilities Pay Storm Water Fees?  State Law states that a local government (its utility department) can charge any government facility a storm water fee to help local utility departments manage storm water run-off. Recently Garden City, GA charged the State Department of Ag a fee and was promptly challenged in court. The logic is that if an entity uses a service provided by another entity, the service must be purchased. Do local governments impose a fee on other governments? Some do and some don’t. Do entities like UGA who uses water and sewer disposal in the county pay for the service provided by the Oconee County Utility Department? Some do and some don’t. At the 2010 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly, a bill will be introduced to clarify the law and provisions made to enforce it. In this economic downturn, local governments are turning up every possible source to bring in more revenue, so the law is destined to be clarified to favor of local governments.

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Gift of Thanks in Art Form.   After hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, many families fled the area and settled across the nation. One such person wad Cruz Azaceta, a visiting professor at UGA School of Art. He gave Athens Academy a contemporary painting as appreciation for allowing his teenage son, Dylan to enroll in the Oconee private school. The painting is a black and white abstract of the Athens Perimeter entitled “Road To Recovery”. Coming to Athens Academy happened about 4 years ago, but the drawing arrived today via mail since the family had already returned to LA. Brenda Kelly, Director of the Athens Academy Middle School expressed, “We are grateful that we could be a part of this family’s Road To Recovery.”

Saturday, November 14, 2009
America Moving Away From Government Dependence.   Gallop polling data taken this month indicates that among Republicans and Independents before and during the election of Obama, overwhelmingly believed that it is the government’s responsibility to take care of our needs (74% to 23%). However, now they are reversing their position and believe it is the responsibility of the individual and not a government’s responsibility (21% to 77%).  Today, as Americans think through the economic crisis (10.2% unemployment and growing), the Chinese ownership of $2 trillion in United States debt, the rising state government deficit (going up from $112 billion in 2009 to $134 billion in 2010), and the reactionary unwillingness to reform many of the public employee unions, they will become even more skeptical of turning problems over to government. Many believe that Washington is not listening to the public. That’s why the TEA Parties took place and will continue.

 Monday, November 16, 2009
Heritage Park Gets Another Old Structure.   An old sharecropper home, deteriorated and falling apart that stood on the Douglas Farm off Price Mill Road in the southern part of the county, was moved to the History Village part of Heritage Park on U S 441 today.  The Douglas Family, Lisa and Bill gave the structure to the county at the request of Albert Ward, a longtime resident of Oconee County who knows a lot of it’s history. Brent Kickbush of the Oconee Historical Society will renovate the home to look muck like the original home to some sharecropper’s family. Expected Completion date is next Spring 2010.

Monday, November 16, 2009
North High Shoals Mayor, Jeff Thomas Resigns.  As he had said he would do earlier in the year when the town council members were at odds with each other over how the town was being governed, Mayor Jeff Thomas resigned today in a resignation letter to the town clerk of the Council before the meeting tonight. The first reading of the digitized and searchable city code was not approved for lack of a quorum. However it was discussed with the dozen or so visitors and councilmen who were present. Violet Dawe, the only woman on the Council is Mayor pro tem and will probably be a candidate for the seat when an election is held in November 2010. Thomas said in his letter, in essence, that he felt that the council and city no longer could prosper as a result of his serving (he had 2 more years left to serve), but he hoped that God would extend his blessings and protection to the council.

Monday, November 16, 2009
Samaritan’s Purse Collection Starts Today.   The Watkinsville First Baptist Church will serve as the collection point for the charity beginning today and lasting a week. Shoe boxes are filled with little items of need for children to be dispensed the world over by Operation Christmas Child, a service program for international relief and evangelism. In years past as many as 300 stuffed boxes have been collected from the Oconee area to send to children. Their goal this year is 1,000 boxes. Items include tooth brushes, tooth paste, hair brushes, jump ropes, stuffed animals, puzzles and dolls. Boxes must be tagged male or female and cannot contain any containers of liquid. A $7 donation per box is requested to pay for shipping and handling. Boxes are shipped to different countries.

 Monday, November 16, 2009
Kroger Check Scam.   Kroger customers are receiving Kroger checks stating that they have won the Shoppers Lottery. When trying to redeem them at Kroger stores, they find out that there is no such lottery – the checks are fakes. The scam appears to be legit – they are forgeries made from Kroger checks and have a Sherman Oaks return address and show a J P Morgan Chase bank account in NY. Kroger is cooperating with bank authorities in rejecting the checks.

Monday, November 16, 2009
NASA Cheering.   Today the Atlantis was launched by NASA caring 6 astronauts and a full load of parts (30,000 lbs) for the space station. They will arrive on Wednesday and dock with the international Space station about 220 miles above the earth. They will stay through Thanksgiving. NASA is trying to stock the station with as many gyroscopes, pumps and other spare parts before the NASA program is cut off next year. There will be only 3 more shuttle liftoffs. The space station is expected to keep flying until trips to it can be resumed.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Require Another Year of Education.   There seems to be some rumblings about some educators asking the Georgia Legislators to require students to remain in high school until they reach the age of 17 or 18 mainly for those who fall behind and failed to get all needed courses before turning 16 – the legal age when school attendance is no longer compulsory. At 16, they are still children and cannot possibly be ready for the real world. It may be worth a serious try and boost graduation rates at the same time. Believe many educators.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
PRIDE Classes Held For Parents.  “Parents Reducing Injury and Driver Error” is a driving class for parents to bone up on their driving knowledge especially if they have a teenager who is about to get his learner’s license. It was taught tonight by Oconee County Coroner, Ed Carson. Taking the course, held at the Watkinsville Community Center, will allow a reduction in their auto insurance, but more important, this information equips the parent with guidance when sitting in the car as a passenger with a teen driving. It instructs the parent how to coach, but stay calm. There are some 70 counties who have certified instructors to teach these courses, Oconee and Clarke being among them. PRIDE was created in 2003 when a young 16-year old teen named Josh was killed when he lost control of the vehicle. He did not know the maneuvers to make when a car appears to slip out of control. “Josh Law” was passed to mandate more time behind the wheel for teens – 40 hours – before a license is granted. Every year, about 6,000 teens die in auto accidents nationwide with 200 of those from Georgia. The PRIDE course is taught year round at different location across Georgia. Look for schedule or inquire of the court system.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Watkinsville Council Meeting – Significant.   Items listed as accomplishments for tonight’s meeting are: 1) approval of new home at 21 Main Street behind the Golden Pantry; 2) approval of a permit for a children’s clothing store called “A Child’s Closet” by Carol Tamborello; 3) approval for K&G Installation on 1040 Turkey Industrial Road (installs mirrors, bathroom fixtures and shower doors) by T J Gay; 4) approval for Hite Mechanical from Ryan Hite’s home on 104 Concord Drive (refrigeration repair); 5) approval for Wordsmith HQ by Karen Johnson from her home at 14 Durham Street (a chiropractic office); and 6) approval of a language change in the original building permit approval for Frank Gaddy who is building the “Village at Watkinsville” on Simonton Bridge Road (6 homes on 4.2 acres). The language that he wished to delete is “private community park landscape” for fear of liability problems; 7) Councilman Toby Smith is working on an Ethics Ordinance for City employees; Mayor Luken announced the Watkinsville Lighting of the Christmas Tree on December 4 in front of the Courthouse with the Watkinsville Christmas Parade to follow the next morning December 5 at 11 am; 9) Mayor would inform MACORTS again that the City objected to the widening of Simonton Bridge Road, a peaceful residential corridor and that he has been invited to the Land Use & Transportation Citizens Advisory Committee to make a plea for any plans for building a new courthouse would keep it in the city.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Gov Sarah Palin Starts Book Tour.   Her national book tour for “Going Rogue,” a book
about her experience as the V President candidate in 2008 and she tells it like it is from her point of view indebted to no one. And sparing no one. The book signing drew a huge crowd at a Michigan book store with supporters camping out overnight to get a signed book and a first glimpse of the former Alaska Governor. Her plans are to make many book tours around the nation for a year or two. The book has topped the “best seller” list for the past 2 weeks.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Labor Commissioner Wants a Jobs Summit,   Michael Thurmond is from Athens, graduated from Clarke Central and UGA. He is feeling the pain of jobless Georgians. He was the keynote speaker at a gathering of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and gave a summary of the face of joblessness in Georgia. Of the 15 million people out of work nationwide, ½ million of them are from Georgia. He says it is time to take a new look at the situation and do something different and helpful. He suggest a Jobs Summit that would bring all segments of the society together to think out of the box on how to create jobs in our state. He said in years past when the jobless were of a much smaller number. they were mostly black women, now it is white men (56%), the major bread winner who cannot put food on the table. But he said any new ideas must be supported by the Georgia Legislature to make it happen. In essence he was calling for any and everybody to help before the situation becomes so dire that help might not effect a turn-a-round in the economy.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Water Councils Meet Behind Closed Doors.  Governor Perdue appointed 10 Water Councils to tackle the task of investigating Georgia’s future water sources and good management thereof. The make-up of each Council includes members of various segments of Georgia citizens, but it is packed heavily with representatives from the business sector. The main issue is to find water for Atlanta’s future. Here’s why. A federal judge has given the 3 states that draw water from Lake Lanier just 3 years to come up with a solution. No solution, the Lake will revert back to the amount of withdrawal set in 1970 and Atlanta will lose its withdrawal permit and will be forced to cease using Lanier water. Will the Councils recommend that Atlanta get its water piped in from other parts of the State? If so, that scenario will affect all Georgia Citizens, thus their meetings should be open to the public. The media is strongly encouraging Governor Perdue to open the meetings. However, the Councils have no authority to set policy and therefore are not required to be open.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Oconee River Basin Water Coalition News.    A leak that came out of one of the meetings of the Water Coalitions that Governor Perdue created last year – the one that covers about 10 counties in this river basin, Oconee being one of them – is that the members of that coalition are discussing selling and piping water from the yet to be built Hard Labor Creek Reservoir. The possibility introduces a source of income for Walton and Oconee counties, the 2 counties paying for the $300 million plus expenditure. But should not such information be disclosed openly rather than reaching the public as a leak. An excellent reason why the meetings should be open to the public rather than behind closed doors.

Friday, November 20, 2009
John Gentry Receives Hammond Award.   Lt Col John Gentry, a member of the Georgia National Guard, is the Director of Oconee Parks & Rec Department but is away from his desk at the Herman C Michael Park to serve in Kabul, Afghanistan for a year. He deployed June of this year (2009) and will be coming home in May of next year (2010) to his wife and 2 daughters and his old job. At the Georgia Regional (10 counties in the north Georgia area) Parks & Recreation Convention in Gainesville, John was presented the Roy A. Hammond Award, the highest honor given by the group – via of satellite from Kabul, Afghanistan to Gainesville, GA. He was surprised since the interim Director Lisa Davol had said she wanted the communication connection so that John could say hello to others at the Convention. He did chat with each of the folks from Oconee and especially his wife Katherine and their girls Anna and Caroline. Modern Marvels.

 
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Manhattan Declaration: A Call to Christian Conscience .   A coalition of 152  Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox leaders have issued a 4,700 word statement addressing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty.  The Manhattan Declaration: A Call to Christian Conscience is more than a list of convictions. The document is a pledge to engage in civil disobedience in defense of the outlined principles, if necessary: “We will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriage or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family.” Signatories include nine Catholic archbishops, by my count, and the primate of the Orthodox Church in America.  That’s along with a number of prominent evangelical clergy, scholars and activists.  The declaration was officially made public at a noon press conference at the Washington Press Club yesterday. By Sharon Autenrieth

Friday, November 20, 2009
John Berry Concert Tickets Sold Out.   Local artist John Berry started his Christmas tour in Covington, GA today. It will run through December 21 and end in Ottowa, Ontario. He will perform at the Oconee Civic Center on November 28. The auditorium will seat 500 and only a few tickets remain unsold. 

Saturday, November 21, 2009
U S Senate Has The Vote To Began Debate.  Just a few minutes ago, Sen Blanch Lincoln from Arkansas finally said she would vote yea on the motion to send the 2047-page Health Care bill to the floor for debate. She and Sen Mary Landeau were both holding out with a no position until Harry Reid gave them a “deal that they couldn’t refuse.” Landeau did not give her consent until late last night. There are many elements in the bill that the moderate Democrats and the hard core Democrats do not like and they hope these will be compromised in the debate. Several Senators have said just because they voted yea for debate does not mean that they will vote yea for the final bill. After the Senate’s bill is debated and a bill surfaces it then goes to the Conference Committee to settle  the differences between the House Bill and the Senate bill. After that, a final bill will be presented to Obama for signing into law.

Sunday, November 22, 2009
NBC Down the Tubes.    Because of the overwhelming decline of broadcast Television, NBC, with fewer and fewer watchers and fewer ads is being bought by Comcast, Inc. NBC had about ¼ of the nation’s households who were faithful watchers to NBC TV. NBC began back in 1926 as a radio network created by General Electric Co. and had the largest share of the TV market until Cable TV and later Satellite TV came on the scene. All 3 networks, ABC, CBS and NBC have been in trouble for the past 10 years.

Sunday, November 22, 2009
9/11 Terrorists To Be Tried in Civilian Court Near Twin Towers.  The 5 terrorists will plead “not guilty” to the masterminding of the twin towers destruction in their trial and be given a chance to use the court as a pulpit to shame America and praise their murderous leaders.  Opponents of Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to conduct the trial in NY in such a court will give the terrorists a platform for propaganda, they contend and could harm international relations with other Islamic countries who are not directly involved in the War on Terrorism. Holder, more or less, waved his critics off with the comment “such concerns are misplaced.”

Monday, November 23, 2009
Army Psychiatrist Insane Defense.   The Attorney for Major Nidal Hasan who shot dead 13 of his fellow soldiers at a military complex (Fort Hood) in Texas has announced that his client will plead insanity when he goes to trial. Investigations of Major Hasan have lead to a life of Islamic loyalty even though he had pledged his allegiance to the United States and the protection of American citizens when enlisting in the military.

Monday, November 23, 2009
Democrats Insist Public Option for Health Care.   The Republicans are letting their Democratic peers know that they are against a public option (government-run health care) which would be another government entitlement funded wholly by the public’s tax dollar, but Democrats are insisting along with Obama that it will be in the emerging health care bill. The government cannot afford another entitlement program that must be funded from now to eternity, say the Republicans. Not one Republican is showing any signs of voting with the Dems on this issue either in the House or the Senate.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Oconee River Watershed Water Council.   The Water Council members, appointed by the Governor and Lt Governor, that were selected for the Upper Oconee Watershed were named some time ago and have had only one meeting. The council is composed of 30 members, government officials, business leaders, industry leaders and citizens in the watershed area. It is one of 10 Councils that cover all 16 watersheds in Georgia. They are charged with making realistic projections on how much water Georgia citizens, industry, farming and government entities will need far into the future – based on population increase in each county contained within the watershed. They are also charged with identifying resources that will be used to supply that quantity of water. The first meeting was closed which caused some complaints from the public. They engage in no policy decisions was the reason given. Another public complaint concerned the low estimate of population growth for each of the counties in the Upper Oconee Watershed. Based on past data, each county will need as much as double in the next 10 years and the Governor’s office’s estimated figures were too low to accommodate a realistic growth rate said Athens Area officials. The Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority which includes members from the 4 counties (Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee) that built the Bear Creek Reservoir are making their own population projections in a report that will be released to the public soon.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Toyota Will Fix Faulty Gas Pedals.  Can they be fixed or should they be replaced? Toyota Motor Corp authorities said today that they will “fix” the problem of some 4 million gas  pedals in their various models of the Toyota brand by shortening the pedal by ¼ inch so that it will not get stuck and go out of control accelerating. This they said they would do back in January as a stop gap until they could manufacture a different design pedal and make replacements. The first attempt at “fixing” the problem was to remove the floor mat to keep the pedal from sticking. About 35  deaths have been attributed to the faulty gas pedal with one “victim” sitting in jail having been sentenced when his Toyota accelerated with his foot not on the pedal and rammed into another car killing the driver. Many owners have reported that they believe that the problem is in the car’s electronic system, but Toyota spokesman have tried to assure the public that is not the case. The recall number seems to be rising and Toyota seems to be slow in responding causing confidence in owners to plummet. Will there be a Congressional investigation?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Economic Signs of Recovery?    First time home buyers was slightly up (with an $8,000 tax credit). Consumer spending has picked up a bit.  And the number of jobless workers filing for unemployment on a national level fell slightly below the 500,000 mark this week and economists are saying that all 3 are signs of recession recovery. All that this bit of information indicates is that the recession is not going downhill AT THE MOMENT. Cycles have slight ups and downs and this news would seem to indicate that until a trend over time is seen for economic indicators, nothing definite should be summarized. The current depth of national debt with no let up in D C has turned most consumers into money savers. They are not buying. Fully 93% say they will spend less this season than they spent last year.

Thursday, November 26, 2009
More Than 1000 Census Hires Needed.   The Census Bureau will set up an office for the Athens Area and will need as many as 1000 new hires to get the job done on time. The Bureau counts the number of citizens every 10 years so that Congressional Districts can be drawn to assure that citizens are equally represented in Congress. Some states may have increased population that will allow them to add another District and therefore add another representative from their state while some states may lose population and lose a representative. More than 1.4 million will be hired across the nation. There will be 17 local offices around the State and starting wage is $11.75 per hour.

Friday, November 27, 2009
A Law to Allow Raw Milk To Be Sold.   State Rep Bobby Franklin from Cobb County heard about all the raw milk being poured on the ground and decided to introduce a law prohibiting the Agriculture Department from regulating raw milk which is not exactly what the opponents of the law wanted. They want it allowed to be sold (not banned) but with some regulations. Athens Rep Doug McKillip said he would work with Franklin to modify the bill to allow some regulations. Raw milk is safe if consumed soon after leaving the cow, but could cause health problems if not handled carefully after that time.

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Severe Budget Cuts for Next Georgia Legislative Session.  In years past, the main thrust of the Sessions have been: school reform in 2000; statewide water plan in 2008; budget cuts in 2009; and next year (2010) the upcoming Session beginning in January -  Severe budget cuts or as some think tax increases AND drastic budget cuts in the midst of the worst economic scenario in recent history. And 2010 is an election year. Outgoing Governor Perdue is set to make a few citizens unhappy but it’s his year before a new Governor comes on board. It will be interesting to see what our representatives will pass into law that will affect all of us. Local government officials have sent a strong message to the Legislators: “Don’t do anything that will cost the counties more money: our revenues are down also.” 

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Booster Club Fundraiser.   The Oconee County Middle School Soccer Club held a Car Show Fundraiser today at their School Parking Lot at the corner of Hwy 53 and Mars Hill Road (Butler’s Crossing). Members with antique cars, trucks and tractors of the Antique Car Club paid a $25 entrance fee to show their prize possessions to help the Booster Club. It started at 9 am and continued until 2 pm. Admission for the public was free. Concessions, music and drawings were available.

Saturday, November 28, 2009
John Berry Concert Packed House.  The tickets were $25 each. The concert started at 8 pm with Berry singing popular hits from his latest album released in 2007 for the first half of the show. During the second half, he performed Christmas music in the traditional style saying that it means everything to him to “perform with a Christ–centered Christmas theme” the way he remembered Christmas songs based on his faith when growing up.  He said performing in Oconee (Berry lives in Oconee) where he knows so many people is a little intimidating because he’ll likely see them again days later at Walmart, at school, or in the grocery store.

Sunday, November 29, 2009
Water Woes For Atlanta.    Georgia is on the hot seat needing more water and being told by a federal judge to find an alternative to drawing water from Lake Lanier by a 3-year deadline.  If not, Atlanta’s permit to use Lake Lanier’s water will be cut back to the amount used in 1970. Terrible situation, but the Water Councils that Perdue appointed are facing a significant challenge and thinking outside the box is a last resort: Atlanta must cut its quantity of water use or find a source in Georgia to bring water to Atlanta. Construction of several reservoirs in Georgia are on the horizon to be completed in 3 years (2012) and could be piped to the Atlanta area. One such facility is the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir in Walton Count located not too far from Atlanta. If the state pours money into its construction, Atlanta will have its needed source. Another idea is to construct a desalination plant near the coast and pipe water into Atlanta across the state. All so called solutions will be very expensive. Not too many outlying counties are financially interested in supplying more water for Atlanta. They need it for themselves. What will then naturally happen is: many Atlanta residents will move toward the water – congesting Atlanta’s surrounding counties to demand a share of the water from smaller communities. It’s coming.

Sunday, November 29, 2009
United Way Reaching Goal.    The effort to raise millions for The United Way to disperse to many charities in the 10-county area lasts a year to give prospective donors time to give. They set a goal each year and by now they have reached 2/3 of the $2.2 million goal.  About 75% of received contributions come from those who make yearly salary deductions either as a lump sum or on a monthly basis. Each county in the area usually pledges a certain amount based on population. Only one county – Oconee has already given its portion.

Sunday, November 29, 2009
Support for Speaker Richardson.  Many of those Legislators who worked to replace the Speaker last year in part because of his frequent emotional outbursts, have now pledged to support him during his bout with depression and hope to see him recover. Some have questioned his ability to handle the Speaker’s high stress job while undergoing therapy. The next step is to ask him to step down while undergoing intense treatment. The House will no doubt elect another Speaker once Richardson resigns.

Monday, November 30, 2009
Georgia Legislators “Pre-file” Their Bills For Next Session.   About this time each year, some aggressive Legislators write their bills and file them before the Session opens hoping they will be placed on the Agenda first. One such Legislator is Rep Bobby Franklin (R-Cobb County). His lists of bills are: 1) establish a committee to check state laws to see that they are up-dated and comply with the state’s fundamental principals; 2) Freedom of Choice and Security Act which removes any restrictions on gun ownership; 3) limit the salaries of Legislators; and 4) legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk. Wonder how many will actually be signed into law?

The End.

NOTE:  The “What Happened” for the Month is a collection of short descriptions for the events that took place within the most recent month, but may not be inclusive. Information listed is from various sources: personal attendance at events, Washington Post, Associated Press, various Web sites, Fox News TV, George Will and other writers, the Atlanta Constitution, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, the Oconee Enterprise, the Athens Banner Herald,  the Augusta Chronicle, the Bainbridge Searchlight News, NewsMax, USA Today, the Patriot and Talk Radio (1340).  For details on any item, go to the long write-up under the heading ARTICLE. However, some items on this page may not have a corresponding longer Article.

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