What Happened in the MONTH of MAY – 2010

Posted By Kate on July 1, 2010

Dog Lovers Day

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

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Walking your dog in the park is a good way to meet other dog lovers, discovered John MacKay, a North High Shoals resident. He noticed that it was a gathering place so he set out to make May 1, Dog Day so all who wish to meet and greet fellow residents could form a dog lovers day. The event is sponsored by Pet Supplies Plus. Vendors like the Oconee Animal Control and local veterinarian Suzanne Shelton will be on hand for the planned activities: prizes for the ugliest dog, the dog that most favors his/her owner, the smallest dog, the largest dog, the best dressed dog, and the fastest dog. The event was held in the North High Shoals City Park on Hillsboro Road just off Hwy 186 and is free to the public.

Dog Day In May at Oconee’s North High Shoals Town.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Oconee Student Wins First Place At Science Fair. Julie Thornton, a student at North Oconee High School is an unusual athlete – she is a discus thrower. And now she is a winner of the UGA Science Fair physics category with her project to resolve: how to throw a discus in such a way to attain the farthest distance. She wanted to improve her distance so she worked out a method to do just that. It involved converting a pitching machine into a discus throwing machine using her trig and simple math to determine the angle that would give her the most distance. Now she plans to continue entering the Science Fair each year submitting further research by extension of the winning project.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Saturday Strolls In Nature. Dr Pat Priest organized a walk around Harris Shoals Park today. Anyone who wishes to join her can pay the $5 that is donated to the favorite charity of the tour guide, Brad Sanders, who will talk about naturalist William Bartram (who identified many native plants in the North Georgia area in late 1770s), as they stroll among the plants and grasses along the banks of the stream. The area is rich in natural beauty starting with a spring that flows into a small lake and continues flowing over large rocks and then winds along the edge of the park and under a walking bridge before flowing under Experiment Station Road as Calls Creek. The project was started last year with history as the theme and walkers concentrated on the history of various markers in the city, visiting the Oconee Farmer’s Market behind the historic Eagle Tavern. Strolls in the past have attracted about a dozen people. Today, about 18 attended. Strolls will take place each Saturday during the summer months through July 31.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Georgia Power Drops Lease On Barnett Shoals Dam. Today marks the end of the lease on the dam held by Georgia Power to produce some 3 megawatts of electricity – enough to support about 500 modern-day homes. Jim White built the dam in 1908 to support a thread mill on Barnett Shoals Road. The dam sits on about 199 acres located in parts of both Oconee and Clarke counties. Although the dam is not active today, the current owners would like to refurbish the area and start it up again. Georgia Power’s lease was signed in 1926 and a company spokesman said it was not economically feasible to continue the lease.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Back In Town. Matt Forshee was the Oconee Development Director back in 2002 after working in Atlanta for a couple of years after graduation. While at Oconee, he modernized the Planning Department and advanced to become Senior Planner and then advanced to become the Director of Development. After 4 years in Oconee, (2006), he took a job with the Fayette County Development Authority. After 4 more years with that county, he was hired by Clarke County in April (2010) as their Director of the Clarke County Economic Development Foundation to attract businesses to this area. He states that he is glad to be back because he learned to love this area while living in Oconee County. Matt and his wife have 2 children and live in Athens. And we are glad to have Matt and his family back home.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
K-9 Dog Found Dead. Ayak was the dog’s name. He had made a name for himself in Jackson County saving lives by helping law enforcement confiscate illegal drugs from the streets. Ayak was found dead last Thursday, May 27, 2010. He had worked side by side for 4 years with his partner Deputy Jay Parker. Oconee County K-9 partner Cpl Shane Partain who works with his K-9 dog partner, O’Riley (formally Spike) was asked by Parker to look in on Ayak while Parker took a few days off out of town. When the Partains check on Ayak a day later, they found the dog dead in a situation that indicated no foul play with his death. However, he was sent to the UGA Vet School for examination. His water and food found at the scene will be examined also.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Rep. John Lunsford Steps Aside. He will not seek the Senate Seat nor Re-Election to House states his Press Release today. State Representative John Lunsford (R-Henry) has decided to step aside rather than run for State Senate District 17 or seek re-election in House District 110. “I have loved my 10 years in the General Assembly, and I am proud of many accomplishments,” Lunsford stated. “However, at the end of a long and difficult session, I have decided that it is time for me to refocus on my business and spend more time helping my wife raise our four young children.” Five candidates have qualified to run in both the 17^th Senate District and the 110^th House District. Primaries will be held July 20^th. “I would like to thank people of Georgia for giving me the chance to serve them; as I have said, it has been the highest honor of my professional career,” Lunsford concluded. “While I am not ruling out any political run in the future, for now, the right thing for me and my family is to step aside and allow someone else to carry the torch.”

Saturday. May 1, 2010
Oil Spill – Now a Catastrophic Incident. 1.6 million gallons of oil now cover the surface causing a slick 130 miles long and 70 miles wide reaching land along the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Coasts wrecking the fishing industry as well as threatening the wildlife in the area – birds, dolphins, many species of fish, crabs, shrimp, oysters and plant life along the water’s edge. Many people depend on the fishing industry as their sole family income. Louisiana has already closed down some commercial fishing activity and ban any oyster harvesting. Economist predict that recovery of the fishing industry will take several decades. The leak has not been stopped as of this writing although several methods have been tried. Ironically, when BP officials reported the EIS (Environmental Impact Study) in 2009, the reports states that such an incident was “virtually impossible and not likely to happen” because the rig was so far out to sea – 48 miles.

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Highest SAT Score Ever at North Oconee High. Patrick Carton, a student at NOHS was honored when the STAR Student Award was bestowed upon him this year. He not only made the highest score (missing only 1 question on the math section) but he is to be commended for taking 4 AP courses (college level). He is also an avid sportsman, excelling in Track & Field and Cross Country while at the same time, a youth leader at his church. He chose as his STAR Teacher, math teacher, Joseph Palmour who was also a STAR student when he attended high school. Patrick will go on to compete for the State STAR Student of the Year. He is the son of Don and Judy Carton of Watkinsville.

Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Nation Of Greece Needs a Bailout. For months now, the nation of Greece has spent more than their GDP and the

Map of Greece and Other European Contries

deficit is so large that the nation cannot pay the interest on loans made to them. Bailout has been the talk if the weak Euro (Europe’s dollar) for several months. Who will bail them out? Other European nations are in similar trouble financially, but are trying to work out an agreement to save Greece. US investors are afraid that the problems with most of the European nations might spill over into the US. The US DOW Stock numbers fell 225 points, the largest drop in 3 months. And yet the Obama administration keeps printing and giving away money. Such a counter-productive move; how foolish.

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Vehicle Contained Explosive Device. A suspicious vehicle parked in Times Square “did indeed contain an explosive device,” says New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Police say the vehicle contained propane tanks, consumer-grade fireworks, two full 5-gallon gasoline containers, and two clocks with batteries, electrical wire and other components, the Associated Press reported early Sunday. The owner of the vehicle has not been located.

Monday, May 3, 2010
Charter Schools Win In Law Suit. The Georgia Charter School Commission which approves the creation of Charter schools is constitutional according to the state constitution, a law suit recently won by that group. Several county school systems had filed a suit against the Commission because their local Boards of Education had turned down applications in their district for charter schools citing the charter school would take needed tax dollars away from the public schools and give it to the Charter School. Judge Wendy Shoob of the Fulton County Superior Court ruled that the law (Commission) passed in 2008 by the Georgia Legislature allows public schools systems to approve applications for Charter schools in their district. Gwinnett County was part of the law suit and will stand to lose $850,000 per year. Charter schools are funded by tax dollars, but have more flexibility under state and federal guidelines. So far, 39 states allow Charter schools to be opened in their states. There are about 1.5 million students enrolled in about 5,000 Charter schools nationwide.

Monday, May 3, 2010
European Governments Agree To A Greece Bailout. The rescue is to keep Greece from defaulting on its debt and prevent a domino effect on the rest of Europe. The agreement has not been made official yet, but with the help of the IMF (International Monetary Fund – mostly US Tax dollars); most feel that it is absolutely necessary. But who then will bail out the US when our debt reaches more than the GNP (Gross National Product), which economists say will occur by the end of this year with the out-of-control spending of this Congress and Obama. Watch this news item carefully.

Monday, May 3, 2010
Kudzu Vine Spewing Toxic Chemical. In a study that compared a kudzu-covered plot in Georgia in Madison County off GA Hwy 106 to an un-infested plot nearby, researchers found the kudzu-infested patch released double the amount of nitric oxide into the atmosphere. Nitric oxide in the ozone layer, which also is produced by burning fossil fuels and is in vehicle and industrial emissions, is a key ingredient in the chemical stew that produces harmful ground-level ozone. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study theorizes that, if kudzu continues to cover more acreage and to expand its range, it eventually could offset improvements in air quality being made through pollution controls on vehicles and power plants. Ozone is produced through a chemical reaction when nitrogen compounds react with volatile organic compounds in the presence of heat and sunlight. The Kudzu is plentiful enough in this area to add to the already polluted air as determined by the State EPD. Last year, the EPD gave Athens-Clarke an F on its air quality because of the ozone pollution and mandated they submit a plan to reduce the ozone. Jefferson County is heavily covered with Kudzu forests and may have the same problem. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that kudzu covers 249,959 forested acres in the Southeast, with Mississippi in the lead at 99,560 acres covered, followed by Alabama at 61,295 acres covered and then Georgia at 26,669 acres covered. In the first half of the 20th century, Kudzu was promoted to prevent erosion and was planted in agricultural fields, on roadsides and on former mine sites. While it originally spread vegetatively, it is now known to be spreading by seed and has headed north to New Jersey and beyond. The study points out that increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been shown to stimulate the growth of vines. There is no national Kudzu control and eradication program, and fighting the vine is a difficult multi-year process. Effective kudzu control combines various methods, including
1) prescribed fire in late winter
2) broadcast herbicide applications
3) the cultivation of a cover crop or pine trees to stabilize the site and shade remaining Kudzu.
4) intensive grazing by goats or cattle
5) mechanical treatments and hand-cutting of root-crowns.

Monday, May 3, 2010
Daniel Haygood Elected to President ACCG Attorney Division. The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia has named Oconee County Attorney Daniel Haygood president of its county attorneys section. Haygood will serve on ACCG’s board of managers, coordinate the county attorneys section’s activities and serve as parliamentarian for the group’s fall conference. Haygood has a private practice in Watkinsville and has represented Oconee County since 1989. ACCG is a training and lobbying group for Georgia’s 159 counties.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Landfill Expansion Approved. The regional landfill that spans 2 counties (Clarke and Oglethorpe) is the same landfill and destination for all un-cycled waste from Oconee County as well as waste from the 2 county landfill owners. Several years ago, developers fought (and lost) to locate a landfill in Oconee County. Our solid waste since then is taken to the Clarke/Oglethorpe landfill for a fee per tonnage. With the waste from 3 counties ending in that one 86-acre landfill, it’s lifetime is short and will last about another 10 months. Plans were presented to and approved by the Clarke BOC to expand the current landfill by opening a 12-acre cell for $3.7 million that EPD has already approved. The ultimate plan is for a 79-acre expansion but that will take going through the approval process (2 years) with the state EPD.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Oconee Board of Commission Meeting. Written by Gina Lindsey, County Clerk. (To get a hint of the flavor of our elected leaders in action, read the following:)
The Regular Meeting of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Chambers at the Oconee County Courthouse.

Members Present:
Chairman Melvin Davis,
Comm Jim Luke,
Comm John Daniell,
Comm Margaret Hale,
Comm Chuck Horton,

Staff Present:
Adm Officer Alan Theriault,
County Clerk Gina M. Lindsey,
County Attorney Daniel Haygood,
Jeff Benko Finance Director
Brad Callender, Planner,
Chris Thomas, Utility Director,
Steve Hansford, Code Enforce Dir,
Wes Geddings, Assistant Finance Director, Malinda Smith, H.R. Director,
Justin Martin, Assistant Tourism Director, Austin Marable, Information Technology, Cpt. Jimmy Williams, Comm Chief.
Media Present: Vinnie Williams, The Oconee Enterprise

Citizen Remarks:

C&B Director Eather Porter

• Esther Porter reported the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission (KOBC) will be making recommendations in the near future to update their By-laws. She recently was made aware of the Board of Commissioners resolution requiring the KOBC report directly to the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Porter presented a proposed budget request for FY2011.
• Terry Fahey expressed concern that the business community will be asked to bear the burden of making up the shortfall in the county’s budget. He asked the Board to “think outside the box” for ways to balance the budget without affecting local businesses.
• Lee Becker requested his response to the posting on the county’s website regarding the potential of a new courthouse be posted on the home page of the website. He noted he has decided to form an ad hoc committee to improve the county’s website.
Representative Bob Smith – Resolution of Appreciation: The Board presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Representative Bob Smith on his retirement from the Georgia House of Representatives. Laura Smith was presented with a bouquet of roses.
Fiscal Year 2010 Nine-Month Financial Update: Finance Director Jeff Benko reported on the 3rd quarter status of the FY 2010 budget. Mr. Benko reviewed the nine-month financial status of the County’s General Fund, Capital Budget, SPLOST 2004 and SPLOST FY 2009, LOST, and the Utility Department. He stated the county is on target in all areas. Mr. Benko also provided a brief summary of the current debt of the County.
Employee Health Insurance Plan: Human Resource Director Malinda Smith reported the Benefits Committee reviewed the county’s health insurance renewal rates and the rate increase proposed by Health Plan Select. The Committee recommended the County accept one of the renewal options that would increase the rates by 7.37% ($167,000). It was also recommended that the County continue to pay the same share of the coverage (employee coverage on HMO at 100% and dependent coverage at 60/40).
Oconee Area Wide Radio System: Cpt. Jimmy Williams and Motorola Site Design Team Manager Jay Nix spoke on the Oconee Area Wide Radio System that will upgrade the County’s radio communication services. County Attorney Daniel Haygood reviewed a proposed Lease Agreement with Albert Hale to place a radio tower on the Hale property, an Intergovernmental Agreement with Greene County relating to operations and maintenance of the project and a contract with Motorola for the lease purchase of the equipment. Mr. Haygood explained the new lease with Albert Hale will be for a term of 50 years at a rental rate of $2,400 per year.
• Finance Director Jeff Benko stated, under the Intergovernmental Agreement, Greene County will pay $5,279,649 and Oconee County will pay $3,200,000 on the Motorola contract. Oconee County’s portion will come from SPLOST funds and will be financed through an installment agreement with Motorola. Mr. Benko said the installment agreement will allow Oconee County to fund the voter-approved project at a 3.6% interest rate.
• Larry Ward asked for clarification on the maintenance costs for the tower. Jay Nix stated the expense would be minimum and shared equally by Greene County and Oconee County.
• Lee Becker questioned what would happen if the County did not collect the $3,200,000 in SPLOST revenue. Jeff Benko answered he is confident SPLOST projections will be met; however, any unfunded parts of the loan would have to be paid by the General Fund.
On motion by Commissioner Luke and second by Commissioner Daniell, the Board unanimously approved the Intergovernmental Agreement with Greene County.
On motion by Commissioner Hale and second by Commissioner Horton, the Board unanimously approved the Communications System Agreement with Partial Lease with Motorola.
Commissioner Horton made a motion to approve the Lease Agreement with Albert Hale. Commissioner Hale seconded the motion. Commissioners Horton, Hale and Daniell voted yes. Commissioner Luke voted no, stating he could not support a 300 ft. lighted tower in the south end of the County. The motion passed.
Announcements: Chairman Davis announced the Board of Commissioners will be holding a called meeting to discuss the FY2011 budget proposals on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 (tomorrow) at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Chambers. He noted the public is invited to attend.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Capping Oil Spill Valve. A collapsed oil pipe has 3 leaks, crews have determined and today they sent down in the ocean depths, a robot submersible to cap the smallest of the 3 leaks. The idea is to cap the leak by attaching equipment to direct the oil to the surface and end up in tanks to be hauled away. The leaks have allowed 2 to 9 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico which is now approaching the shoreline of Louisiana and Mississippi endangering all fishing of any kind along the shore. More than 500,000 feet of boom has been laid around vulnerable areas along the coast with little hope of holding the black, goo away from the beaches. Exploration of other methods of stopping the hemorrhaging oil leak are being tried.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Times Square Vehicle Contained Explosive Device. The abandoned suspicious SUV found in Times Square did indeed contain crude homemade explosives meant to do harm to thousands of tourists and people on the streets of Times Square. Arrested yesterday was Faisal Shah ad, a naturalized US citizen from Bridgeport, Connecticut who confessed to the failed explosion. Faisal recently returned from a 5-month stay in his native-Pakistan where his wife and children live. More investigation is being conducted to garner details that might lead to a group working with Faisal or was he working alone? He was arrested at the airport just before boarding a plane to Turkey.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Oconee Chamber Says “Go Local.” In an effort to help small business in Oconee County and to indirectly assist in the state economic recovery, the Chamber has launched a marketing campaign to buy local – that is purchase your gas (and everything else) at an Oconee store rather than in any surrounding county. Merchants in the 4 Oconee Cities have joined the effort by sponsoring great specials to entice the consumer to buy their products. A brochure and attractive signs will be available to anyone who would like to join the effort. Plans are to record the results and determine to what extent the campaign to buy local has helped.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Furloughs for Oconee Teachers. In the last 2 years, teachers in the surrounding counties have furloughed a handful of teachers while the Oconee School System was able to keep the status quo, but not anymore. Teacher and employee furloughs will be enacted in the Oconee School System this year for the August 2011 school year. A choice was made to mandate 3 furlough days during the year rather than raise the millage rate for a larger intake of property taxes to fill the gap. The cost to the school budget for one day in salaries and benefits will save $190,000. The school budget is $53 million with the State contribution being less this year. It is the first year that the local property tax will contribute more to the budget than the State. To help balance the budget, Board members will give up their small salaries (about $9,000) to contribute to the budget. Also Teacher training will be reduced.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
No Furloughs For Oconee County Employees. In a vote of 3-1, the Oconee BOC approved a motion to increase health insurance premiums (by 7.37% – $30 to $55 depending on the number of insured in the family) on each employee instead of imposing furlough days. There are presently 275 Oconee County employees. This will help balance the budget and fill a gap of $2.4 million by saving $167,000. A decision was made earlier to suspend the county’s contribution to the retirement program for one year. That motion included a provision to re-instate the county’s portion of the retirement fund contribution if funds become available during the year. And Commissioners agreed to cut their own pay by 10%. The Sheriff agreed to cut $100,000 from his budget giving up 3 of the 6 vehicles that he had requested. A number of non-essential projects got the chopping block. The BOC also agreed to move all county offices and personnel in the Dolvin Building (called the Courthouse Annex) across Main Street from the courthouse) to the Gov’t Annex on Hw3y 15 and save $51,000 this year (the lease is up in October. As a matter to remember, the finance officer, Jeff Benko, said that this budget can be amended at any time during the year if additional revenue comes in. It was left unsaid that if additional revenues fail to come in, will the budget also be adjusted downward to fill an even bigger gap for FY 2011?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
State Rep Bob Smith Recognized for Superior Public Service. Both the Oconee County and Athens Clarke County Chambers of Commerce in a joint meeting gave Rep Bob Smith a standing ovation for his record of distinguished public service under the Gold Dome in Atlanta for the last 12 years. Smith chose to return to Oconee County to pursue and continue his work in the real estate market with his son Matthew rather than run for re-election. Other State politicians were present and all are running for re-election.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Oconee Budget Cut Again This Year. This time, officials took another $1 million from the fund balance ($10.2M) plus further cuts of $1.4 million from departments ($175,000 from matching retirement plans; $167,000 in increases for insurance premiums; $164,000 for 4 furlough days. (Refer to the Minutes of the meeting above – Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Oconee Board of Commission Meeting).
These 3 items added $506,000 to the gap of $1.4 million. Other cuts include the following:

Information Technology – $30,000
Health Center – $100,000
Oconee Development Authority – $125,000
Civic Center – $21,000
E911 Upgrade – $24,000
Sheriff’s Office – $26,000
Coroner – $39,530
Senior Center – $80,000
Emergency Management – $77,000
Overtime Requests – $21,000
Animal Control – $9,500
Superior Court – $10,000
Recycling Collection Sites – $15,000
Little League – $10,000
Courthouse Annex Lease – $20,838 (across the street from the courthouse)
Library – $19,091
Economic Development – $15,000
Fuel & Utilities – $4,000
Fire Department – $4,400
Staff Christmas Dinner- $5,500

Total = $656,859 + $506,000 = $1.162,859; $1.400,000 – $1.162,859 = $237,141 (short).
Another called meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 5:30 pm at the courthouse to discuss the coming year’s budget.

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Kroger “Earning Plus Learning” Awards. Oconee Primary and Malcom Bridge Elementary won awards each of $1,000 from the Kroger grocery store, partners-in-education business. The schools will use the funds to purchase instructional materials. The program encourages projects in multimedia video, scrapbooks, photography, essays, and newspaper clippings engaging the ABCs: A for Active minds, B for healthy Bodies and C for Community service. The projects will capture what the school is doing to develop minds to participate in community service while fostering physical fitness. Other schools in the area that were awarded $1,000 were: South Jackson Elementary, Athens Christian Middle School, Aiken Elementary and Timothy Road Elementary.

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Box of Concrete and Steel to Seal Off Deepwater Horizon Leak. A 100-ton box was lowered today into the water in hopes of controlling another leak – the one spewing about 200,000 gallons of crude oil per day. British Petroleum (BP) crews are saying that this is new – has never been done before and may not work. If this fails, the plan is to drill another well (90 days) and direct the oil through another route to surface containers. The Corps of Engineers are considering a plan to release a gush of powerful water down the Mississippi River in hopes of pushing the surface oil further out to sea. The EPA will study the effects of the plan, if activated, to see how effective the method will be although there is not much extra water that could be pushed through the system reminded the Corps. The recent floods in the Ohio Valley will offer a little more water to flush. Another concern is that too much fresh water pushed into the ocean could change the content and bio-balance of the ocean at that point which would endanger some species of marine life. The coast of Florida and Alabama are in danger of oil creeping to their shores and beaches. No doubt the availability of fresh Gulf shrimp will be narrowed to a standstill or to no shrimp at all.

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Rev. Franklin Graham Denied Attendance at Pentagon Ceremony. Thursday’s celebration of the National Day of Prayer, was experienced by many across the nation while the Rev. Franklin Graham (Rev Billy Graham’s son) held his own vigil in the Pentagon parking lot. For several years now, Rev Graham voiced his opinion on other religions (Islam and Hinduism) other than the Christian religion and he has since been ostracized for doing so – not for his opinion but for his saying so – publically. Christian believers made a plea to President Obama to reinstate him but to no avail. Graham’s offense was expressing his belief that only Christians have God’s ear, that Islam is evil, and that Muslims and Hindus don’t pray to the same God he does. “No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me,” Graham said in a USA Today interview, referring to one of the five main Hindu deities. “None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can have some big kumbaya service and all hold hands and it’s all going to get better in this world. It’s not going to get better.” As honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a private evangelical group, the elder Graham was to have led a prayer for the U.S. military. His son is on a fourth tour in Afghanistan. But Graham son’s views didn’t sit well with secular Americans or even non-evangelical Christians, who protested that the government is endorsing a certain flavor of Christianity. A Wisconsin court apparently agreed and ruled the day unconstitutional, appeals pending. Son Graham isn’t alone in his views. A survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors, conducted by an evangelical polling firm, found that 47 percent agree that Islam is “a very evil and a very wicked religion.”

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Stocks Market Fell 999 Points. Some are saying a “machine took over” with sell short orders automatically built into the system. Others fear more black days to come. The points fell 999 in 16 minutes and then as quickly came back up almost the full loss (700 points) but ended the day at a 348 point overall loss to 10,478. Concern over Europe’s financial situation (Greece bailout) and the snail’s pace economic recovery played a part but automated selling seems to most likely culprit. The situation is being investigated and new regulations on short buying and selling orders may be forthcoming.

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Lawsuits Abound After Spill Increases. Lawsuits followed the Exxon Spill off the coast of Alaska in the late 1980s and this spill has been estimated to be 10 times as large with damages far greater than the Exxon spill. Most of the lawsuits for the BP spill are class action suits meaning a whole class of injuries can be lumped together (the shipping industry with multiple plaintiffs – with the likelihood of bigger awards. Also the families of the 11 men who lost their lives are beginning to file and those could be huge rewards. BP’s insurer is Lloyds of London will certainly feel the results of so many suits which will number in the thousands – so many that a judge may order similar ones to be combined in order to uncomplicated the judgments.

Friday, May 7, 2010
Folks Moving In To Live Together. For the first time in a century, the Census Bureau reports that families are moving in together under one roof since the housing bust threw more families out of their homes. “The great recession has forced doubling up among both family and non-family members” said Director of the Metro Research Center at the University of Utah. Multi-generational households are on the rise. He continued, “49 million of the population, live in a home that has 2 generations (adults). According to a Pew Research Center report, the situation is due in part to high unemployment. People are moving in with children and grandchildren. Especially young adults without jobs are moving in with parents, those just out of college and those a little older that have been laid off work. Immigrants who live in multi-family situations and who are hard pressed to find jobs are moving in together at a faster rate, the report states. The would naturally leave a large number of houses empty. What consequence does this hold for the future of family housing, one might wonder. Depends on higher employment and low housing costs and an economic recovery.

Friday, May 7, 2010
Local Candidate Bows Out of Race. Keith Bradberry, who qualified on Thursday of last week during Qualifying, has announced that because of a personal health problem he must withdraw his candidacy for the Post 2, County Board of Commission Seat occupied by Commissioner John Daniell who now has no opposition for his re-election. Bradberry had a mild seizure and was advised by his physician to drop out of the race.

Friday, May 7, 2010
District’s Attorney General Balks At Audit. The DA for this district, Ken Mauldin essentially told the Clarke County BOC that he didn’t trust the Commissioners to perform an audit of the finances in his office at the BOC’s suggestion. The suggestion came when Mauldin asked that they allow him to transfer monies from one account to another under his prevue to allow him to pay for the expenses of his office. You may recall that Mauldin appeared before the Oconee County (also in his sphere of jurisdiction) earlier and requested that Oconee act as a conduit to pay (using money from his office) employees in his office for working during their furlough days. That prompted Commissioner Jim Luke to make the statement: “I have trouble keeping up with your shell games of switching funds to and from accounts.” In the end, the DA backed off a bit at both meetings and the Oconee BOC agreed to his request and he said to the Clarke BOC – he was alright with an audit of his office. The DA has an anger-control problem.

Friday, May 7, 2010
Birth Control Pill. The beginning of a heavy trend in women’s rights started with the sale of the birth control pill which started 50 years ago today. The use of the pill eventually sparked the start of the sexual revolution which continues today.

Friday, May 7, 2010
First Friday Planned Around Mother’s Day. This event takes place each first Friday of the month with local businesses keeping their doors open from 6 pm to 9 pm to promote business in the downtown district. This year it is focused around children and gifts for Mothers. Children enjoyed shopping at the stores and contemplating a purchase (with Dad’s help) for that special person. The event organizers also planned events to expose children to the arts – painting the old windows from the courthouse when it was renovated. The children’s art, painted on the spot will be displayed around town during the week. Look for the displays on Main Street and on off streets.

Friday, May 7, 2010
Big Dog Show at Heritage Park. Today (and tomorrow), hundreds of participants showed their pets at Heritage Park in the southern part of the County sponsored by the Oconee River Kennel Club. It is a licensed American Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. Nearly 1000 dogs were shown and competed for various awards. Dog lovers came from as far away as Canada, Puerto Rico and Maine to register their pets in the competition. Oconee resident Marie Caudill and her family coordinated the event.

AKC licensed dog show given by Oconee River Kennel Club, Inc.
Total dogs entered 962. Up 100 dogs from 2009. Entries down in 2010 throughout US.
Dogs came from 31 states plus Puerto Rico & Canada.
453 Dogs from GA
102 Dogs from FL
121 Dog from SC
68 Dogs from NC, etc.
5 dogs from CA & 2 dogs from Washington State 1 Dog from Maine
382 entries traveled over 100 miles to show.
241 traveled over 300 miles to show.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
Movie-In-The-Park. For the 6^th year, the Oconee Parks & Recreation Department sponsored the family event, this year located in the Veterans Park on Hwy 53. The movie is “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” – a 2009 animated comedy featuring Flint Lockwood who is an inventor who creates a machine that makes food from water with surprising outcomes. It is rated PG and lasts 1 ½ hours. Many activities were planned, starting at 6:30 pm before the showing at 8:30 pm: a moon walk, bungee run, a dance contest and face painting. The Chick-fil-A and the Big Easy Restaurant will have food for sale but picnic food is welcomed. Families are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and their favorite picnic food. This event is always well attended (approx. 200 per event) with families from out-of-county attending. The movie is free and prizes are given out to the children.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
C&B Remove Eye-Sore in Harris Shoals Park. The Vivian Monday Garden, a small spot located at Harris Shoals Park along the entrance

Vivian Munday Garden Clean-up

has been neglected for some time now and 5 members of the Keep Oconee Clean Commission (C&B) took time out to remove the weeds and clear the way for future plantings on Saturday. The clean-up was a part of the month-long Clean-up Oconee County project. The event, one of many county-wide, was schedule as a rain-day since the Saturday before was rained out. Others who participated in the clean-up activities
1)     met at the intersection of Hwy 78 and the Apalachee River for litter pickup
2)     a friendly competition of Republicans vs Democrats to clean-up Watkinsville city limits
3)     the continued liter pick-up of the Rose Creek area in the southern part of the county.
4)     Vivian Munday Garden weed-out
Many citizens participated in the 4 events and as a result, the “county is much cleaner and more beautiful now,” said C&B Director Esther Porter who coordinated the activities. It was all a part of the Great American Clean-up sponsored by the national organization, Keep America Beautiful.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
Utah Republican Bob Bennett Ousted. Longtime establishment Republican Senator Bob Bennett was kicked out of the Utah GOP Senate primary today by conservative and Tea Party delegates upset over his support for the $700 billion dollar TARP pork bailout of the banks. Bennett had been in office for 18 years and had a low lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union of only 83.63. He was badly beaten, coming in a distant third behind two Republican challengers. His defeat came despite a ringing endorsement from Mitt Romney. McCain, who also boasts establishment Republican support, has an even lower lifetime rating from the ACU of only 81.97, which sunk to an all-time low in 2008 of 63. McCain not only voted for several of the billion dollar TARP pork bailouts, but the biggest contributors to his campaign were the banks that benefited from the financial TARP bailout, including Goldman Sachs, now under investigation in a lawsuit by the SEC for securities fraud. Goldman Sachs was the fourth highest contributor to McCain’s presidential campaign, contributing $230,095. McCain’s primary challenger, JD Hayworth, has a lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union of 98 over his 12 years in Congress. Hayworth has denounced the billion dollar TARP pork bailouts, and in a recent Rasmussen poll of Arizona Republican voters, he is now less than 5 points behind McCain. The TEA Party folks are having a powerful influence.

Oconee Farmers Market - 6-26-10

Saturday, May 8, 2010
Oconee Farmer’s Market Opens Today. The Market will kick off its 7^th season starting at 7:30 am today and going until 12:30 pm and will be held each Saturdays of the month until the end of October. The Director of the Market, Karl Berg invites anyone in the local area (to bring their garden produce or art objects or prepared foods and set up a table) as well as the general public to find good buys throughout the morning. A few greens are available now, but a variety will be available as the summer comes on. The Market is also a good place to meet old friends and meet and greet new friends.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Watkinsville Policeman Finds His Personal Vehicle On Fire. On Sunday Morning, policeman William Horton Republicans was awakened by a loud noise to go outside and see his personal vehicle burning – the tires had just exploded. His home, rented from Homer Hansford sustained slight smoke damaged and a golf cart nearby was burned. Horton nor any of the city officials seem to know of a reason someone might wish to cause him harm. The ABH newspaper speculated that someone had a grudge against Horton as an individual, not as a policeman because his police vehicle was parked nearby unharmed. Evidence was gathered and city officials invited the GBI to take the case.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Special Election Today for the Nathan Deal Seat. Republicans numbering 6 and 1 Independent and 1 Democrat are competing for the seat vacated by Congressman Nathan Deal who resigned to make a run for the Georgia Governor’s seat. They are developer Tom Graves, running with support of the TEA Party group; former State Senator and dentist Lee Hawkins; cardiologist Chris Cates; neurologist Bert Loftman; former state Senator Bill Stephens; and textile executive Steve Tarvin; Independent Eugene Moon and 1 Democrat, Mike Freeman. We will know the results on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. One Republican will surface to run against the lone Independent and lone Democrat in the midterm election. However, it is most likely that a run-off in June will be forthcoming to determine the 1 Republican among the 6, to run at midterm. The district is in North Georgia. Tom Graves is ahead with the backing of the – TEA Party – which is having a strong influence this time around.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Oconee Chamber Launches “Go Local” Campaign. The Oconee Chamber of Commerce has introduced a program to encourage

Chamber Econ Dev Iniative - go Local

residents in the County to purchase everything they need at home retail stores predicting that the sales tax revenue will increase to prop up the County budget. The Chamber says that each dollar spent is worth $1.43. But at the same time, a push is underway to encourage tourism in the County. Does this present a conflict? Buying gas in your home County loses sales tax in neighboring counties and tourists will no doubt buy commodities in a home county before venturing on a tourist trip to a nearby county. The Chamber is not discouraging purchases in neighboring counties, but rather putting the emphasis on the “dollar.” Buy Local is a worthwhile campaign, but has some drawbacks when looking at the big picture.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Board of Education Seat Open For Appointment. Tom Breedlove was elected to Post 5 on the board of education in 2008 for a 4-year term, but today, 2 years later, he announced that he and his family will be moving to TN soon to take a job in the city of Jonesborough. Breedlove is a development Planner by formal training and was an asset to the school system by the input of his conservative beliefs. He will be missed. The Board now has the responsibility to appoint a citizen to serve out the remainder of his term – from now until November of 2012 at which time the seat will be open again for election. Board members currently serving can opt to run for the open seat or the Board can select someone is running against the current members. No one qualified to run against member Kim Argo; Mack Guest has 2 opponents – Mark Thomas, a Republican and Carter Strickland who is a Democrat, both of which could choose to run for the vacancy. If neither opts to run for the vacant seat, the Board could appoint one of them or go outside to select an individual who has never served on the Board.

Monday, May 10, 2010
Perdue Signs Legislation for Fee Hikes. Today, the Governor signed the bill that increases fees for just about all existing fees charged by the local and state government. Citizens have been notified by their County Clerk of Court and local newspapers of a new fee increase for legal documents. Many people were shocked because of the amount of increase. For instance, the cost of a divorce rose from $80 to $205. Another example: the cost of transmitting numerous legal documents in filing an appeal will go from $1.50 per page to $10 per page. The doubling of fees includes: divorce application, filing lawsuits, land title searches, name changes, professional license, special license plates, marriage license, adoption application, etc. It was not publicized when the higher fees were approved by the Legislature, and the citizen disapproval is mostly because the news is so sudden with no prior expectations, however, it will now cost more for whatever you need from the official records at the courthouse. Some local attorneys feel that the increase should have been phased in over a period of time and believe the sudden big jump in cost is a disaster. The Governor signed the bill yesterday and most County Clerks in all Georgia Counties announced the new fees today.

Monday, May 10, 2010
Oconee Development Authority Project On Hold. At the ODA meeting tonight, the Authority members learned that the $125,000 that the county was giving to the Authority to purchase the Gateway land will not be forthcoming. That amount was used to pay for the 10-year loan on the property and the last payment was paid in November 2009. Authority Chairman Chuck Williams learned from County Commission Chairman that the amount was taken from the Authority’s budget to fill the gap in the County’s budget and most likely will not be given back to the Authority. Plans were developing to improve the 100-acre property, located near the busy SR 316, with sewer and water lines and a main road and possibly a retail outlet in an effort to stir interest for a larger or more of the smaller vendors to locate there. As the economy has gone south over the last 3 years, this seems to be the worst year and fewer officials are willing to take the risk of an even worse year in 2011 and 2012. The economy is showing signs of “bottom out” but not much evidence of improving.

Monday, May 10, 2010
What is the NE GA Regional Commission? This is a group of citizens appointed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to identify resources in an area (covering 10 counties) that fit the criteria of “Regional Important Resource” who recently compiled a list of such resources and 3 of them are in Oconee County: Elder Mill, Elder Covered Bridge and the Railroad (Oconee portion). These areas are tagged for significant resources that could be preserved or developed or whatever the local jurisdiction wishes to do with the resources. It is just a way of letting state government know of places that they might award funds to help local governments for improvement. There are about a dozen such Commissions across Georgia.

Monday, May 10, 2010
Oconee County Teachers Furloughed. In the last 2 years, many surrounding school systems have been strapped for enough revenue which resulted in teacher furloughs. Fortunately, the Oconee County School System has not furloughed any teachers during that time, but that has come to an end. For the next 2010-2011 school year, Oconee Teachers will take 3 furlough days each. One furlough day for one teacher will save the system about $195,000. For the first time, local taxes contribute more than half (51%) of the budget and the state will contribute less than half (49%). This because the state revenues were drastically reduced. On the local level, the real estate market has been negatively affected and home assessments have been reduced for the coming year which in turn reduces the county digest which in turn reduces the revenue from homeowners which in turn reduces the amount of tax collections for the school system. The plan will be approved at the next Board meeting in June.

Monday, May 10, 2010
Karen Handel Gets Unexpected Support. Dr Tom Price who had supported the campaign of Nathan Deal decided today to change his support to Karen Handel. Both candidate Deal and Handel have been running strong for the Governor’s seat in Georgia. Tom Price, a Republican Congressman said he switched his support because Handel represented “the best opportunity for Republicans to keep the Governor’s seat in the hands of the Conservatives and to remain in the majority.” Recently, Deal, a Republican Congressman, who stepped down before the end of his term to concentrate on his campaign for Governor, has been under ethics investigation by the U S Congress for alleged bidding irregularities for his auto salvage company (he received a no-bid contract). Deal responded by criticizing Price for not keeping his word. Price responded by saying that a “lot can happen in a few months in the political season.”

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bishop Town Supper For Political Speeches. As is held twice a year for the last 20 years, the Bishop Town Council held its pot luck supper for community citizens and political candidates. About 50 men, women, and children turned out for the 2-hour gathering. Food was strictly southern (prepared by southern women) with a variety of meats, veggies and deserts. After the meal and lively conversation among the guests, Bishop Mayor Johnny Pritchett and Town Council member Nedra Johnson welcomed everyone and introduced the attending candidates: Hank Huckabee, Tommy Malcom, Commissioner John Daniell, Commissioner Margaret Hale, Tammy Dillard, Kirk Shook and Kim Argo, each asking for our votes. The Mayor announced that the Town had received about $11,000 of the SPLOST revenues so far which are planned to support the renovation of Council office and install sidewalks.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
UGA Tuition Increase. The Georgia Board of Regents has increased the tuition by 16.5% ($1,000) per year. The per semester cost is now $3,535 ($500 more than last year). The increase pertains to freshman and sophomores. Juniors and seniors will not be charged more because they are under the “Fixed for 4” plan which was a policy that guaranteed the same tuition for the 4 years attending. This policy is being phased out. Most fees were not increased. The one fee that will be charged is $3 to support the new Office of Sustainability. Students at Gainesville State College in Oconee County will pay less of an increase – $1,347 ($100 more than last year). These increases are projected to generate about $80 million.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Oconee Hi School Senior Wins Logo Contest. The Chamber sponsored a contest for a Logo that would promote their new initiative to shop locally to support businesses in the county. From many logos they selected one designed by Oconee County High School senior, Victoria Geisler. The winning logo was a big circle with the word “Local” in large letters in the center and the word “go” positioned above the large word. Around the circle are the words “Community – Future – Support.” With the current economic times, it is critical that the community support our local businesses. The purpose of the go-Local campaign is to encourage residents and businesses to shop locally rather than spend their money by driving out-of-town. Our local businesses provide the jobs and help pay the taxes to make our community what it is. Victoria Geisler, a 2010 graduate of Oconee County High School and a student in the commercial design class penned the name “go-LOCAL” and designed the circular logo developed for this campaign. The circle represents how money revolves or recirculates in a local economy. The words along the edge of the circle (support, community, future) encompass our immediate and future commitment towards our local businesses. During the week of June 14 to June 20, the Chamber is asking all local businesses with a marquee/sign to display the message “go- LOCAL / SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES” , in order to increase public awareness of the campaign. If you have a business with a sign, please let the Chamber know that you are willing to put this message on your sign. Pictures will be taken of all the signs around the community that are working to encourage buying locally. These pictures will periodically be used on the website and various advertisements.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Oconee’s ESP Gets Volunteer Clean-up For Summer Program. ESP (Extra Special People) is a crown jewel of the Oconee Community. It is supported strictly by the community with a little help from the county (taxes). The group sponsors many fund raisers throughout the year to support its summer camp for mentally challenged persons. Parents come from surrounding counties to enroll their special loved ones in the program, thereby giving the parents a needed respite from the daily activities needed by their family members. The spruce-up needed before the summer camp starts includes, cleaning, painting, repair and yard work. Members of Keller Williams Realty (16) made the workday tasks a lot of fun. The project was part of a national effort whereby realtors give back to their communities. The workday is called RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) and each volunteer donned themselves in a red t-shirt with the RED logo. A raised garden was tilled and tomato plants set out as well as radishes; kitchen scrubbed; a memory flower bed was weeded and watered and all craft supplies were put back in place – all in a matter of 5 hours. Lowe’s donated stain to apply to the outdoor classroom and the fence which will be accomplished on another workday. Director Laura Whitaker was so appreciative when she saw the results. She said the savings from a professional cleaning crew was quiet significant which saved enough to take more children (more than 100 this summer). She called the volunteers “Red Shirt Angels.” Oconee County is very honored to have ESP, Inc located in Oconee. It is a model for other communities who wish to take care of their own rather than a day care or an institution or a mental health program. Whitaker reminds that “helping the helpless feel more helpful” is an humbling experience and one that a caring community knows well.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Oconee County Unemployment. The unemployment rate in the nation is 9.8%; unemployment rate for Georgia is 10.6%; unemployment rate in Oconee County is 6.9% – the lowest rate in the State (118 of the 159 counties in Georgia have double digit unemployment rates) which is not bad relatively but Oconee folks out of work would probably not agree with that statement. Unemployment rate for Clarke County is 7.9%; Barrow County is 10.5%; Madison is 8.5%; Oglethorpe is 8.8%; and Walton County is 10.5%. One reason that Oconee has been able “to weather the economic storm as it has, is that we have a large University nearby and an extended health care system” with 2 hospitals said Board of Commission Chairman Melvin Davis. “And,” he adds, “Oconee County has a large number of small businesses.” Economic Director Rusty Haygood said that he believes that Oconee will “continue to escape the worst of it” for another year at least if the county budget is carefully watched. Officials have continued to cut where the least pain is felt for employees and to use another slice of the county savings (balance fund) to reach a budget level of $19.6 million.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Oconee Budget Cut Again This Year. This time, officials took another $1 million from the fund balance ($10.2M) plus further cuts of $1.4 million from departments ($175,000 from matching retirement plans; $167,000 in increases for insurance premiums; $164,000 for 4 furlough days. (Refer to the Minutes of the meeting above – Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Oconee Board of Commission Meeting).
These 3 items added $506,000 to the gap of $1.4 million. Other cuts include the following:

Information Technology – $30,000
Health Center – $100,000
Oconee Development Authority – $125,000
Civic Center – $21,000
E911 Upgrade – $24,000
Sheriff’s Office – $26,000
Coroner – $39,530
Senior Center – $80,000
Emergency Management – $77,000
Overtime Requests – $21,000
Animal Control – $9,500
Superior Court – $10,000
Recycling Collection Sites – $15,000
Little League – $10,000
Courthouse Annex Lease – $20,838 (across the street from the courthouse)
Library – $19,091
Economic Development – $15,000
Fuel & Utilities – $4,000
Fire Department – $4,400
Staff Christmas Dinner- $5,500

Thursday, May 13, 2010
County Reduces Number of County Vehicles. County Officials in conjunction with cutting the budget have reduced the number of county vehicles that employees use every day and keep overnight at their homes. Of the 29, 20 were ordered to park their county owned vehicles in a county-owned park after use during the day. The remaining 9 are used by emergency personnel and may be parked at home at night and on weekends.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Illegal Students Not Welcome at UGA – Gubernatorial Candidate Eric Johnson. Republican Candidate for Governor Eric Johnson along with other Republican candidates for Governor propose that UGA make background checks for all students entering the University from now on to determine their citizenship status and make citizenship a requirement to be accepted into the University degree program.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Arizona’s Immigration Bill Catches On Nation-wide. Huge majority of Americans support Arizona’s new law and 9 states are considering similar measures to deport illegals that break additional laws. Yesterday, the respected Pew Research Center released a new poll showing Americans are backing Arizona’s recently passed immigration enforcement bill by 75% who agree that requiring people to produce documents verifying their legal status. When the Pew Poll respondents were asked if the police should be able to “detain anyone unable to verify legal status,” 67% said yes. The real encouraging sign here, though, is that Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all agreed that police should be able to detain those unable to verify their immigration status. But many groups of opponents of the SB (1070) have organized strong lobbying efforts to boycott the state. This issue will be headline news for many months to come.

Friday, May 14, 2010
Gift to the Oconee Community: Don-Jon BBQ. The “Don” is for Attorney Donald Hansford located in Watkinsville and the “Jon” is for Planner Jon Williams of Williams & Associates. Several years ago when both men and their staff were binging in lots of money from the height of their professions and the peak of the building boon in Oconee County, they started a free BBQ at Harris Shoals Park – the heart of Watkinsville – to give back to the community that had given them so much during the “riding high” days. Even though business has cooled tremendously for both men, they still want to give back to their community. About 200 people attended. The awesome networking and fellowship engaged in brings a community closer each year.

Friday, May 14, 2010
Tips To Help Repair Identify Theft.    Note: I see excellent reading material occasionally that I feel should be shared through this media as well as the original vehicle of communication. The following is taken from Jim Davison in his Good News Syndicated Column.
1)     Photo ID Required instead of your signature on the back of your credit cards.
2)     Put your work number on checks instead of your home number
3)     Make copies of you’re the contents of your wallet and file
4)     Put only last 4 numbers of any account number on the “For.…” line on checks/pay bills
5)     Place key phone numbers of documents in handy place – find easily if they are stolen.
6)     Call the 3 credit reporting companies and place a Fraud Alert on your name
7)     Repeat # 6 above for the Social Security Office nearest your home
8)     File a police report immediately and give them all info needed to investigate
9)     Don’t wait. Practice the above routine in your head and be ready to do some calling the minute you discover the theft.

Friday, May 14, 2010
Gas Price Leveling Off. In spite of the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf on April 20, 2010, economists predict that gas prices at the pump will not go beyond $3 per gallon for the summer months. For most of the year (since January), the price has varied around $2.59 to $2.89. However, as the experts measure the loss of crude oil from the spill, a barrel of crude could rise gradually affecting an increase at the pump.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Publisher Vinnie Williams Honored at Firefighter’s Banquet. As they do every about this time, the Oconee County Fire Rescue Appreciation Dinner meet to honor their own – the ones who have passed certain milestone in their training and those who have exhibited outstanding service. In addition, they always honor Ms Vinnie Williams, the Publisher of the Oconee Enterprise who supports the group financially each year. She co-sponsors fundraising events with them and is faithful in her efforts to publish their activity in her publication. Tonight, at the Oconee Civic Center, a framed certificate of appreciation was awarded to her with the picture of cats on the left side. Paraphrased, the wording indicated that the group had given a donation to the Alley Cat Rescue, Inc in Ms Vinnie’s name. Refer to the Oconee Enterprise, vol 127, no. 20, May 20, 2010 for more detail.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Watkinsville Saturday Stroll. This Saturday’s stroll will take place at Harris Shoals Park again with resident Steve Holzman as the guide. Professionally, Steve is an IT (Information Technology) with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and works at the Georgia Ecological Services in Athens. He is also an expert in bird identification and will walk the woods at the shoals with the group to identify birds. He will discuss, bird nests, bird boxes, bird habitats and bird watching. The cost is $5 per person which will be donated to tour guide’s choice of charity which in Steve’s case is the Oconee River Audubon Society.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Who Should Decide Competency For The Accused? Recently, 3 cases have gone to court locally for persons accused of criminal acts that were mentally challenged or so the various jury members were asked to determine the competency to stand trial. Is a group of 12 ordinary citizens that make up a jury, capable of determining the mental state of a criminal which is a legal matter or should a judge make that decision? Some legal and medical experts have doubts about the skills of jury members to make such a decision especially since records show that most jury members cannot make a unanimous decision and usually are deadlocked in the end. Clinical Psychologist Dr Cindy Darden, CEO of Advantage Behavioral Health Systems says “it’s really hard to make that evaluation.” Dr Ron Carlson of UGA, “Hopefully the Georgia Legislature at some point would re-evaluate and strongly consider going to a Judicial hearing on the competency issue.”

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Wat – KIDs – ville Completed On Time. “Watkidsville” is a special make believe community for kids and is located in a new building on the Watkinsville First Baptist Church campus. The 200,000 sq ft, 2-story facility on Simonton Bridge Road was constructed to serve the increasing number of young children moving into the county with their families. “God has given us an opportunity to reach a new generation of people,” said Pastor Carlos Sibley. This building is about one generation proclaiming the goodness of God to a future generation. The 20-room design was chosen to be a supplement to the fast decrease of space for the congregation. Moving the Children’s worship will free up more space for teens and adults. In addition to the many classrooms, an indoor park, a common room with a stage, resource storage rooms, and special rooms for nursing mothers. It is decorated inside to give the feeling of being in a small
town.” A fully equipped outside fenced-in playground surrounds the front and side of the building. An Open House to the public will be conducted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 1:30 pm.

Monday, May 17, 2010
Want Your Congressman To Stay In Washington? An Associated Press poll taken yesterday indicates that a little over 1/3 of Americans (42%) want to send (re-elect) their favorite Congressman back to Washington. And that means a little less than 2/3 want to either “throw the bums out” or have not decided yet. Several similar polls will have to be taken and averaged between now and the Midterm elections (Nov 2) before a trustworthy percentages can be believed.

Monday, May 17, 2010
New Store Opening for Zaxby. The fast food chicken restaurant will open a new eatery in Tifton, Georgia, management announced today. It will be the 500^th Zaxby’s nationwide and the 188^th restaurant in Georgia. Two college friends, Tony Townley and Zach McLeroy, opened their first Zaxby in 1990 in Statesboro, GA in a makeshift kitchen in a house trailer and catered to the college crowd. It is now present in 15 states and as far north as Indiana. Their headquarters is located in Founders Grove on Daniel Bridge Road in Oconee County.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Coordinator For Patriot Park at Jittery Joes. Emily Ogburn Givens, a recent member of the Daughters of the American Revolution found her connection to the Revolutionary Patriots and he is John Fry. She is the granddaughter, 6 generations removed of Mr Fry whose records show, he enlisted 3 times in the Revolutionary War. He was married twice and fathered 19 children and had 113 grandchildren. He died in 1840. Ms Givens previously thought that she could be a member of DAR through her husband’s heritage, but discovered to her surprise that she is a daughter of an American Patriot. She was instrumental in the creation of the DAR Patriot Park located in the triangle (where Hwy 15 and US 441 meet) at Jittery Joes coffee shop in Watkinsville near Town Center. The park has a 2’ x 3’ x 3’ granite marker surrounded by native plants and a line of Knock-Out roses. The marker is inscribed with the following words: “In Honor of Our Revolutionary War Patriots Whose Sacrifices in the Pursuit of Freedom Delivered American Independence – 1775 – 1783.” Etched in the center of the marker is a circle of 12 stars and a flame – the DAR symbol. Several native trees are included in the park area. Ms Givens was recently presented with a Medal of Appreciation by the local Rev John Andrew Chapter, for her outstanding service work in the community.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
BOC Called Meeting To Vacate Dolvin Bldg (Courthouse Annex). Several county departments are located in the Courthouse Annex (across Main Street from Courthouse) which cost the county about $110,000 per year lease which ends in November of next year (2011). Can they move the departments into the yet-to-be-modified Government Annex on Greensboro Hwy or construct new space in 18 months? That seems to be the concern of all Commissioners, however all seemed to agree that giving up the Dolvin bldg would be a good move since it will save the county lease amount. Some modifications are already being done at the Government Annex in anticipation of the move for the Dolvin bldg county departments. A final decision will be made in short order.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Senator Arlen Spector (D-PA) Lost Re-election Bid. The Republican turned Democrat at the urging of Obama made the statement during the campaign that he “switched party affiliation so that he could win” a 6^th term (30 years) – which promptly defeated his bid giving victory to Joe Sustak as the Democratic nominee. Sustak will be opposed in the November election by Republican Congressman Pat Tooney. The anti-establishment move is working. The TEA Party folks are having a decisive affect.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mass Transit Rail To Connect Major Cities In Georgia. Hop a passenger rail train and visit Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Savannah and Chattanooga, TN. A new study has spurred more interest in the “Brain Train Committee in the construction of such a rail line via an innovative method of paying the sustainable cost of operation. The Brookings Institute did a study published today that encourages federal dollars for the construction but would impose a TST (Transportation Sales Tax) on goods and services and a tax allocation district around busy commercial areas (shopping center vendors would pay a tax because of increased sales). It might work, but why leave out South Georgia for the routing?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Photography Studio in Residential Section. Well known Photographer Dan McClure requested a permit to locate his photo studio on Simonton Bridge Road, a major residential section in the city limits at the Watkinsville City Council tonight. But to do so, the council would have to change the city form-based development code to approve the request. Tonight was the first public hearing for that change. The amendment to the code would allow such a business in a residential section. All council members did not agree with the change. The council has allowed businesses in residential section under the current code but only if the owner and business live in the same building, another hearing is proposed in a future called meeting.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Oconee Brochure In the Works. Several community leaders have brainstormed a new idea to promote the county – a colorful brochure that highlights 3 areas: 1) Scenic Agriculture Vistas, 2) the Oconee Farmers Market and 3) Oconee Agri-tourism. The brochure will showcase what is significant about the quality of life offered here and to, hopefully, appeal to couples looking for a place to raise a family, the small business owner who wishes to establish a business in the area and the tourist just passing through who might stay a few days to take in the beauty and serenity of the Oconee Quality Environment. Oconee Farmer Russ Page is spearheading the effort and hopes to have a finished handout by the fall.

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Oconee Chamber Awards Teacher Mini Grants at Morning Coffee.   The Education Foundation of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce announced the following teachers as 2010 Mini Grant winners:
1)     Stacy Mallet & Drew Brantley, Lewis and Clark Expedition and Land Survey Project, Athens Academy;
2)     Mary Kline, Observation and Inquiry in the Elementary Classroom, Athens Academy;
3)     Nikki Chester, Teaching Evolution and Genetics, Athens Academy;
4)     Caroline Ridlehuber, Nurturing a Reading Habit, Athens Academy;
5)     Marielle Newland, Cultural Enrichment through Music, Athens Academy;
6)     Natalie Luke, Grammar Commercial Video Project, Athens Academy;
7)     Brad Tillery, Authentic Latin: Differentiated Reading Practice Based on Ancient Authors, North Oconee High;
8)     Leah Mattison, Building Character, Building Confidence, and Building Community through the use of Character Education, Malcom Bridge Middle;
9)     Abby Howe & Ingrid Hunt, Reading It Once Again, Oconee Primary;
10) Chris McDonald, Jennifer Miller and Lynda Dunlap, The Bilingual Books Project, Oconee Primary;
11) Martha Hynson, Document Camera, Oconee Primary; Jaqueline Shoemaker & Suzanne Worthington, Magnets, Oconee Primary.
The Mini Grant winners were announced at the Oconee Chamber Morning Coffee hosted by Norm and Faye Grayson at their home. Many Thanks to Norm & Faye for graciously hosting this event for the past 10+ Years. Taken in part from the report at the Chamber’s Web site.

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Child Cruelty Case Ends. The court case of child abuse and cruelty has been going on for several weeks in the Oconee County Courthouse. Parents with 2 boys who were from Florida moved here to Athens and then to Oconee County all in a matter of months. The court proved that the parents used extreme methods to punish the 12-year old child because he was a “problem” child and would not respond to normal accepted punishment. Teachers at his school in Oconee County noticed the bruises and suspicious marks on the child and called the local Department of Family & Children Services. The revelation began at that time. Over the course of time, he was locked in a closet, hands tied to the clothes bar and pepper sprayed because he had earlier stole cookies from the kitchen. The parents were given 20 years in prison and the abused child and his younger brother were placed in a foster home in Oconee County.

Friday, May 21, 2010
Property Tax Bills In Mail Today. More than 10,500 notices of property taxes were put in the mail today for tax payers in Oconee County. It is probably the first time in decades that the bills will be from “the same amount, slightly less to a lot less.” Although Tax appraiser Allen Skinner openly suggested that a mill rate increase would be necessary this year when he presented before the BOC during the budget process, the BOC is working on a budget that will not require a millage rate increase.

Friday, May 21, 2010
Oconee Board of Education Approved No Salary For Themselves. Bd of Education Chairman David Weeks said that the budget was so tight and some teachers may be furloughed this year, that the members on the board approve a “no salary” for themselves for the coming school year. Teachers and administrators had to take a cut either in salary or furlough days. The Board had to make up a $4.5 million gap in the 2010-2011 budget year.

Saturday, May 22, 2010
OCAF Sponsors Cook-Off Competition Fundraiser. The Oconee County Arts Foundation (OCAF) has done it again – come up with an innovative way to raise money for the organization – a competition at which 11 of the best home chefs in Oconee will cook up tasty food on the spot at OCAF’s garden adjacent to the main building. A chosen assistant for each chef will walk among the crowd to “sell” the food and the chef with the most sales becomes the champion. It’s called the “Ultimate Taste Showdown.” Money raised will be used to expand the garden. Some of the chefs are Molly Lesnikowski, Nancy Green, Bob Elkins and Mario Castro. Early tickets are $20 and tickets on the day of the event are $25.

Sunday, May 23, 2010
Conservatives Gain Control Over Texas School Curriculum. The debate in the State Board of Education has been going on for several months, but today the vote taken to change content of the textbooks for Texas students was decided on a party line vote of 9-5 which left the liberal Democrat members angry, frustrated and moved one person to call for the legislature to rein in the Board members. Conservative Board member, David Bradley said in response (paraphrased) that 10 years ago, the liberals had the power and “we took our licks and we got outvoted and now 10 years later, it is 9-5 in the other direction – we are an elected body and the process is political.” The conservative guidelines will teach students more American history with the nation referred to as a “constitutional republic” rather than a democracy; will learn that the separation of church and state is not in the written Constitution per se; will give exercises to evaluate whether the United Nations cuts into the sovereignty of the United States; and strengthen the teaching of the Judeo-Christian influence of the nation’s Founding Fathers. The debate and final vote has caught the attention of the whole nation, because many schools across America adopt the Texas textbooks for their own curriculum.

Monday, May 24, 2010
Mandated Class Size Law Relaxed. Today, Governor Perdue signed into law, a measure that will allow Georgia school systems the flexibility to ignore the required number of students per classroom and increases the size so as to have fewer classes with fewer teachers – to help trim their budgets. Oconee will furlough some teachers for several days, but has made no public announcement about firing any teachers. Note: School systems do not have to sign on to the new measure if they can balance their budgets without having to do so.

Tuesday, May 24, 2010
County May Consolidate Departments In Move To Government Annex. The Dolvin Building (aka Courthouse Annex) now houses the departments of Planning, Code Enforcement and Building Inspection which could be consolidated into one Department ( Department of Oconee Development – DOD?) and Oconee Tourism. The Government Annex on Greensboro Hwy houses the Department of Public Works, Oconee Utility, Fire Department, Oconee Adult Education Center, Keep Oconee Clean Commission and three (3) Federal Offices – Oconee River Resource, Conservation & Development Council (RC&D), The Farm Service Bureau and the Natural Resource Conservation Agency. The following are suggestions: Public Works, Utility and Fire could be pulled together for Oconee Public Services Department –OPSD? Adult Education and Keep Oconee Clean would be stand-alone offices and the federal offices would stand as is. Commissioners estimate that it would take at least one year and maybe longer to make the necessary changes (renovation of Government Annex) in order to break the Dolvin Building lease and move all the programs and people to their new location – all in a concerted effort to save the county money and aid in balancing the county budget for 2011-2012.

Tuesday, May 24, 2010
In Traffic Camera Photos As Evidence – Case Dismissed (Photos cannot be cross examined.) A municipal county judge in Athens dismissed a case today involving the red light traffic tickets written via “incident caught on camera.” The photos were perfect evidence, however, the court could not prove that the violators were actually driving their own vehicles at the time. Case dismissed. This action follows the long-standing debate (since the cameras were installed) voicing the unconstitutionality of the traffic cameras and may eventually prove to be the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Tuesday, May 24, 2010
State School Superintendent Seat Open. Republican State School Superintendent incumbent Kathy Cox took a job as Chief Executive Officer for the U S Education Delivery Institute in Washington, DC last week leaving her seat vacant after the deadline for Qualifying. 2 little known Republicans are competing for the Party’s winner of the July 20 Primary to run against Democrat Jim Martin who has served on the state board in the past for 20 years by appointment. Although Martin, 67, is facing opposition from 2 lesser known Democrats, his will be the most recognized name against an unknown Republican. Democrats have gotten excited about the possibility of an easy win for the Super. The 2 Republicans vying for a win in the Primary are John Barge, Bartow County School Administrator, 43 from Rome, GA and Richard Woods, Irwin County School Administrator, 47 from Tifton, GA. The Democrats want to throw more money at the schools and are essentially against Charter Schools; the Republicans want to loosen restrictions on regulations and tighten the focus for a more rigorous curriculum.

Wednesday, May 25, 2010
Property Values Dropped. Oconee Tax Appraiser Allen Skinner has been mandated by the State (as have other county Tax Assessors) under House Bill 233 to re-appraise property values for homes and other property during this economic downturn. The fair market value of most property will stay the same or go down meaning most of you will receive a smaller tax bill this year. 14,000 of 17,000 pieces of property in Oconee County were recently re-assessed (the market has been depressed for several years now). And the bill puts a 3-year freeze on property taxes for the elderly homeowner. In this economic climate, the consumer is buying less which means a decrease (10% ) in the SPLOST (1 cent sales tax). With less revenue from SPLOST and less revenue from property taxes, the county is looking at either reducing services or increasing the millage rate which has remained at 6.68 for the last 4 years. At the June 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners, they will look at another round of cuts to fill the shortfall. Public Safety, Public Works and Parks & Rec make up the biggest part of the county budget. So far, county government has shrunk from 258 employees in 2009 to the present 236. Chairman Davis said the they will cut only those items that “we would like to have, not the essential items that we must have.”

Friday, May 28, 2010
Oconee HS Graduation Test Scores Staying on Top. The State Department of Education released the results of the Georgia High School Graduation Test scores for all schools in the surrounding school systems and fewer students passed on all sections of the test, although math and social studies, faired the worst. Surprisingly, more students passed on the science portion of the test than last year’s numbers. For the State overall average, 90% passed the science and English portion. For an individual school, 99% of Oconee students passed the math section, the highest in the State. “In Oconee County, 89% of students passed all 4 subject sections, more than last year (except for social studies) while in Clarke and Barrow Counties, more students failed than last year,” (from the ABH report). For the overall State average, Oconee County students again had the highest percentage – 89% that passed all sections of the test. The next highest score from an individual school – Jackson County, was 86%.

Friday, May 28, 2010
Budget Cuts to Include Ag Department After All. As reported in the ABH, some county Cooperative Extension Offices will be shut down and some Ag research programs will be eliminated in Georgia over the next year according to the budget cuts made by the General Assembly in their most recent Legislative Session. That means some 4-H programs may have to be dissolved in some counties. Will be interesting to see which ones and on what criteria the decision will be made. Those extension services in poor rural counties offer several life related services to citizens (health education) while those in counties that are more economically stable should be allowed to continue to be an asset to economic recovery via the outstanding achievements of our young 4-Hers through the years. This may again put the USDA Campbell Research Center on Experiment Station Road in Oconee County in the spotlight. Our politicians helped to avoid the closing of the facility a few years ago, but now any research performed there in connection with or funded by the University’s Ag and Environmental Science Department may end up on the chopping block. How will this affect the main and largest industry in Georgia – Agriculture? It may be a dangerous and unwise road to travel for economic recovery in Georgia any time soon.

Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Latest Craze for Kids of All Ages.
Eleven-year-old Erich Marino saved up his birthday money for a cool new toy: little silicone bracelets in an array of shapes that have kids from toddlers to college going bonkers around the country. “I love these things,” he said, spending about $25 of his $80 stash on several packs, including dragons and sports equipment. “We trade them at school now.” Manufacturers and shop owners said the craze is spreading so quickly that it’s hard to keep up. The array — from animals and pirates, to roses and water creatures — have turned some playgrounds into swap meets. Makers are constantly thinking up new shapes and colors to keep the interest high. The average price for a pack of 24 is $5. Once taken off the wrist, they bounce back into shape, which is another feature kids like. Peter Rivera, owner of Patty’s Hallmark in Hollywood, Fla., where Marino and his sister Isabella bought their Zanybandz, said children started asking for them in January. He sold 240 packs the first week he got them in stock and just put in an order for 1,000 packs he hopes will last a week. “Now I am noticing kids, instead of putting them on their wrists, they are getting a necklace and putting it on their neck,” Rivera said. “The kids are just going crazy for these things.” The bracelets have been banned at some schools, including Marino’s, because kids snap them at each other like rubber bands and, according to his mother, teachers said they’re distracting. Other parents said hard feelings over trades gone bad have led to grabbing and tears. By Lisa Orkin Emmanuel The Associated Press

Saturday, May 29, 2010
Goggle Guilty of Breach of Trust. Breach of trust – definition of breach of trust: abuse of power, or failure (whether or not deliberate, dishonest, or negligent). Google, the search engine giant is trapped into yet another controversy. This time it has been accused of turning a blind eye to its social responsibilities. During the trial, lawyers for Google’s executives denied any wrongdoing from Google’s side. Google’s lawyers also defended the executives saying that they were not involved in the marketing plan. The ruling was disappointing to U.S – it has been described as a blow to the freedom of the Internet. The move to hold Google accountable for violating privacy law, will surely pose a significant challenge to company’s business model. It’s also a warning for other Internet companies that post content and video, provided by third parties. Recently AOL released 20 million web search queries over a period of three months, from 650, 000 AOL search engine users. The data keeps user’s identity anonymous by assigning them a numerical id. However, that is not much security as users can be easily identified. It is easy for search engines to accumulate what you are searching even in the privacy of your own home. What guarantees such breaches of privacy won’t happen again? You can protect yourself from invasion of privacy by search engines. Here is a simple 1-minute guide. First we need to understand how search engines keep track of a user’s computing activity. They save some data in your hard-disk which is popularly known as cookies. This data helps them keep track of you even if you use a fake id or proxy. Now we will see how we can prevent the search engines from setting cookies on your system. Without cookies their tracking system can’t effectively track you. Steps:
1. Open Tools menu and click on Internet Options.
2. Select Privacy, click the Privacy tab, and then click Sites.
3. In the Address of Websites blank, type the exact address of the site you want to manage.
4. Then click on Block or Allow for each one.
5. When finished typing all sites you use, Click OK.

For example, for Google it is www.google.com and for MSN it is www.search.msn.com . The whole procedure should not take you more than a minute and you are done. Your queries can still be tracked but the tracking will not associate them with a single entity or individual. Note: cookies will or will not be allowed (according to your specifications) from this day forward. Past cookies allowed on your hard drive will have to be deleted by you. Gaea News Network: Angsuman Chakraborty’s Article contributed.

Saturday, May 29, 2010
Memorial Celebration at Dory’s. Dory’s Outside Furniture in Watkinsville sponsored a 4-hour gathering to celebrate life and show support for the families and friends of fallen and serving military sons and daughters at her Outlet in the Oconee Industrial Park. The Daughters of the American Revolution co-sponsored the event which was complete with food, music, games, door prizes, a cake-walk and a raffle for gift baskets.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Memorial Day Ceremony – Oconee Veterans Park – Cancelled. Memorial Day was to be celebrated at the Veterans Park today at 2 pm today. The program lists the guest speaker as Congressman Paul Broun. A special recognition was to be announced and presented to Veteran Pete Shelnutt who passed away recently. He always attended any function that the Veterans Memorial Committee sponsored and was in regular attendance of the monthly meetings. Around the reflection pool on the plaza was to be the setting with the tall black granite memorial in the background surrounded by the 8 flags representing the 5 branches of the military, the US Flag and the Georgia Flag and the Flag for those who have fallen in the line of duty. All flags were donated by Mrs James Simmons. The Memorial Wreath was created and donated by D&S Creative Events. Seating, podium and speaker system were loaned by the Oconee Parks & Recreation Department. Taps played by Alex Boscoff. Attendance is expected to be about 100.

NOTE: The Oconee Veterans Memorial Foundation planned a short ceremonial program at the Veterans Park on Hwy 53 with Congressman Paul Broun as the guest speaker and the laying of wreaths at the foot of the black granite monument at the end of the program. Heavy rain moved in just about 15 minutes before the 2 pm start, rained forcefully for 30 minutes, causing the event to be cancelled. Many visitors turned to leave after the announcement. There are no plans for a re-schedule.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Facebook Users Beware. As you open your FaceBook account, are you getting requests to be friends with people that you don’t even know? And are you approving friends that you don’t know? Once your personal info gets out there, it spreads exponentially (you approve 5 people, those approve another 5 each and those approve 5 each and those approve 5 each = 3625 people). That may be effective communication depending on your motive, but the opportunity is multiplied for identify theft. You can always disapprove to being friends with anyone who asked to be your friend which may sound harsh but is self-protection. For instance, FaceBook CEO Mark Zukerberg admitted last week to violating their privacy control standards, but also promised to fix the problem. The young (26 years old) entrepreneur who created FaceBook announced that the company has scored more than 400 million users to date and that a simpler and more secure mechanism is needed to prevent privacy violations. Just this week, 20,000 users complaining about privacy issues had deleted their FaceBook accounts and if the trend continues, it could have an adverse effect on the company. Google has also been accused recently of compromising your privacy on several instances and is now under investigation for the offense.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Area Students Recognized By ABH Newspaper. Of the 50 students from Athens Area High Schools chosen by the Athens Banner Herald in their Best & Brightest competition, 19 were from the 2 Oconee High Schools (39%). Of the 10 Best of the Best, 3 were chosen for a first ($500), second ($100) and third ($100) award. All high schools were represented, some for more than one student. Two of the top 3 winners are from the Oconee County and North Oconee high schools. George Dylan Brooks, 17 from Madison County High School was first runner up; Kayla Nightingale, 18 from Oconee County High was third runner up and the overall winner ($500) was Margraious Brown, 17, who graduated from North Oconee High School. We are proud of these students and especially Miss Brown. This young lady represents the unlimited achievements that can be earned at one of the finest schools in the area and probably in Georgia. Her portfolio shows she is a very caring person having volunteered so much of her time to help those with medical problems. She will be attending Georgia State University and plans to major in premed/biology and hopes to have her own general practice someday. For more information, refer to the May 30, 2010 issue, page E-10 of the Athens Banner Herald.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Memorial Day Ceremony – Bogart. The Bogart Community celebrated Memorial Day by placing 80 small white crosses with a Veteran’s name engraved and draped by the US Flag with a wall of names in the background. The number of crosses is growing as names are learned. The location is between City Hall and the railroad tracks on Main Street. The crosses will be up for a week – 3 days before May 30 and 4 days after for those who wish to drop by and place flowers or say a prayer. Veterans from the Civil War to the Vietnam War are remembered. Plans are to place additional crosses for Veterans from the latest war so that they will be remembered as well.

Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day Ceremony – Washington, DC. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 pm today, with the President generally visiting Arlington National Cemetery, but not this President. He will be on vacation in Chicago – What a thoughtful and sensitive U S President. He needs his P&R before taking any time for Veteran Appreciation ! This year, Vice President and Mrs. Joe Biden will represent the White House. Flags around the country are also flown at half-mast from dawn until noon as an honor to lost heroes. And for the commemoration, some 250,000 motor bikers called the “Rolling Thunder” are now rolling into Washington to stop at Independence Square to pay homage to our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, today, Monday, May 31, 2010. They are coming from all over the U S, men and women of all ages. What a beautiful event.

Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day Words From Glenn Beck. “We didn’t start celebrating Memorial Day until after the Civil War, but it was during that conflict, November of 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln gave his historic Gettysburg Address and eloquently laid out the simple yet profound idea that lies at the heart of this day:”
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
“The last full measure of devotion—a beautiful phrase describing a tragic consequence. And while the fight has moved from within our own country to conflicts overseas, the giving of your life in service to your country remains a uniquely sacred act. American soldiers are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the sad reality is those are not the last two wars that will ever need fighting. On this Memorial Day and all the days before and after it, we must remember those in our military who bravely served and never made it home.” Glen Beck (2010).

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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About The Author

Kate

As of July 2010, I have reached 76 years. I retired in 2004 and have been enjoying my retirement by getting involved in community activities. I am an active member of the Keep Oconee Clean & Beautiful which I founded with the help of the Oconee BOC in 1992. Also a member of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador), OCAF, the Veterans Memorial Foundation and the local Oconee GOP. In 2007, I was appointed by the BOC Chairman, Melvin Davis as a member of the CSB - Advantage Behavioral Health Systems and last year was voted as the Chairman of that 16-member Community Service Board. Am also the owner of the Web site - a Positive Vision of Oconee County - started in 2004. I began attending government and community events and took photos of the meetings to compliment my articles on the Web site. Since then, I have collected over 40,000 photos. I guess you could call me the roving community photographer. I enjoy meeting people and helping where I can be of help. I am married to Mac McDaniel and have 2 very talented children, Dan and Cindy. I try to stay abreast of happenings in the County and outside the county that if they are relative to Oconee residents so as to record these happenings for posterity. My Photos will be given to the Oconee Library for all to access and enjoy for years to come when I am no longer able to use them.

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