After the hullabaloo about the secret retreat in Madison in December 2007, a close source told me the emphasis of that retreat was to try to get consensus on the Beer and Wine vote.

AVOC

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June 7, 2008

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“The Melvin Davis Record” – Secret Retreat and Beer & Wine Vote – Part 2

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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When I was leaving office in November and December of 2000, I spent considerable time with Melvin Davis.   During a car ride on Government Station Road, the alcohol issue came up.   I sensed he had support and pressure for a re-vote.    I had publicly stated that the voters had spoken and I did not plan to bring up the issue again any time in the near future.  

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When I leaned that Davis was considering pursuing the issue, I told him he should wait until a General Election and not do it anytime soon.   In less than two years, his first Board was voting on it- twice because they were not together the first time.   Don Norris had always pushed hard on alcohol.

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I later learned that Larry Benson had actively campaigned to “get Wendell out” in 2000.    Larry was appointed to some positions by me even though I felt he was more “Athens oriented” than “Oconee oriented”.   He was also a close ally of Jay Campbell, my nemesis for several years on the Board.  

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Larry Benson had pushed for alcohol sales for at least ten years.   Since then he has served twice as the campaign chairman for Melvin Davis.   My best speculation was that he pressured Davis for a vote –BEFORE qualifying or else.   Without considerable pressure, Davis would not have let the issue come up before qualifying and the election cycle.

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After the hullabaloo about the secret retreat in Madison in December 2007, a close source told me the emphasis of that retreat was to try to get consensus on the Beer and Wine vote.   Melvin Davis was pushing the issue behind the scenes but did not want to vote!!

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Several sources told me about secret planning by Melvin Davis early in his first term to build a big park.   He allegedly engaged Mike Young, Landscape Designer, to draft a schematic that later was used to sell the park in a referendum in which it passed by a few votes.   Some staffers were told that Young was promised the design work and he did not submit a full-blown proposal.   When Young did not get the job, he allegedly submitted a bill for $ 50,000.00 for work he had done.   Davis could not pay it at the time and delayed at least until work was started.    Pressure was put on Davis that the matter “was going public”.   Davis was concerned enough that he supposedly had a low profile early morning breakfast meeting with the claimant at Cracker Barrel.

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There have been other stories about secret promises regarding water and sewer commitments.    Some were quoted as saying they were promised certain things that did not happen.   We do know that Water and Sewer capacity were promised and delivered to at least two subdivisions that now look like “ghost towns.”

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1-7-08 Oconee County BOC held “retreat” – (secret meeting) in Madison on 12-7-07

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AVOC

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January 6, 2008

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Oconee County BOC held “retreat” – (secret meeting) in Madison on 12-7-07

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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Lee Becker, of Friends of Barber Creek, has uncovered some information about a Secret Meeting of the Oconee County Commissioners on December 7, 2007.   Lee Becker has many of the disturbing details on his Blog.http://www.oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/

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I recommend that interested citizens read Lee Becker’s Blog.   It demonstrates the inadequacy of real media coverage of the Oconee County Government.    Many observers have known for several years that Melvin Davis was “wheeling and dealing” ‘off the record’.    Yet, he has not been challenged or brought to accounting by the media!

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Under consideration were more SPLOST taxes (new courthouse, more spending at Eastville’s ‘Big Park’, a new library, water and sewer).   The current SPLOST DOES NOT EXPIRE FOR 18 MONTHS!! - well after the incumbents may be out of office.     Our roads and schools are hurting from the “priorities” set by this board over the last several years.

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Beer, wine and liquor issues are still being discussed in private.

4-9-08 Oconee BOC (3 to 2) approves beer and wine pouring in restaurants

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The Athens Banner-Herald

http://onlineathens.com/stories/040908/news_2008040900262.shtml

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April 9, 2008

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Oconee approves beer, wine pouring

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By Adam Thompson

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WATKINSVILLE - Restaurants in Oconee County soon can serve beer and wine under a new pouring law commissioners narrowly approved Tuesday.

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Passage of the controversial ordinance ended a year of lobbying by developers and the county chamber of commerce, who said the law would promote economic development and allow Oconee restaurants to compete with those in surrounding counties.

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The 3-2 vote Tuesday night, with Chairman Melvin Davis breaking a tie among the county's part-time commissioners, was not a surprise.

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Davis, along with Commissioners Don Norris and Jim Luke, who voted in favor, already had said they supported a strict pouring law.

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Commissioners Margaret Hale and Chuck Horton, meanwhile, already had announced their opposition, but contributed in recent weeks to some of the ordinance's stricter measures……………………….

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