When some issues arise, AVOC will comment. However, in the long run, our community may benefit by having a more conscious awareness of what made our community ‘special’. Many of us want much of that to endure.

AVOC Readers

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June 29, 2009

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Plans for AVOC – Another Voice Oconee County

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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Dear Readers and Supporters:

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REMINISCING

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Recently, I have been reminiscing more than ever.   I have spent much time compiling pictures and family history for the 90^th Birthday Celebration for Aunt Becky (Rebecca Dawson Barnette) that was held at Union Church on Saturday, June 20.   I also spent much time compiling pictures and history of the Oconee County School System for 2009 Alumni activities.   The first annual ‘Meet & Greet’ reception was held the afternoon of Saturday, June 27, 2009, in the common area of the Oconee County High School, (adjacent to the Civic Center where the Annual OCHSAA Banquet was held that evening).

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SENSE OF COMMUNITY

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I participated in a meeting of the Advisory Council of the Oconee County High Schools Alumni Association on Saturday morning, June 27.   At that meeting we talked about the ‘Oconee School Legacy’ and ways to preserve and pass it on to future residents.   Many of us, I think, came away with a feeling that we very much need to promote and preserve a ‘sense of community’ which really made the Oconee County we remember and appreciate.

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As I approach my 70^th birthday (along with many classmates and friends) I have become more and more conscious of how short life really is.    I attend a lot of funerals and reunions each year and notice the loss of family and friends who have passed on.   After years of public service, I have observed that nothing is permanent - with government- at the local, state or national levels.   What is considered great today can be deemed obsolete in five years by a “new crop of officials”.

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LASTING VALUES

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Bigger and bigger buildings, big houses, accumulation of wealth, fame, power, and new cars are not the enduring things of life.   In years of preparing Probate Petitions, I have been acutely aware that all material assets are left to heirs and beneficiaries.    Hopefully, the person also left a ‘good name’.    It also exposes the greed side of life.    "Greedy folks" also die and leave their possessions- often for others to fight over.

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On the national and state scenes, I am often disheartened at the direction we are headed.   The thirst for power is the root of much evil- money does not have a monopoly.   On the local scene, we have observed it in the rapid escalation of land prices in recent years.   Some landowners became wealthy and others have been left ‘holding’.    Development got too big and too fast.   We are now left with the residue of ‘PVC Farms”, “Lots of Weeds” and ghost towns.   Our lending institutions and others have felt the pain of loss.    In many cases, more adverse consequences of overspending and debt will cost all of us more in time.

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HISTORY & COMMUNITY

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Such times can cause reflection.   We need to look at what is really important.   Friends, memories, relationships, reputation, and good works can be enduring.    An appreciation of our history and cultural legacies can help guide us and future generations in molding our community and institutions along lines of these values.

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I have a plethora of pictures and history of family, community, county, state and nation.  I have been fortunate to live in “interesting” times.   For at least the near future, AVOC will be more reflective of history, memories and the sense of community many of us still value.

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When some issues arise, AVOC will comment.   However, in the long run, our community may benefit by having a more conscious awareness of what made our community ‘special’.    Many of us want much of that to endure.