It is unprecedented to have 11.34 acres available downtown at one time. ………… The $ 4 Million SPLOST funds on hand could be used to buy property and hold it until it is really needed. The time and price are right for purchasing the 11.34 acres adjoining the existing courthouse. ….In time, the County property tax digest will be coming down as real estate values decline with less demand. Do we really want to raise property tax millage rates for a new courthouse that is “nice to have” or “needed in the future”? ………..

AVOC

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November 27, 2009

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Oconee BOC should stop ‘Dithering” and buy the Booth-Christopher-Marable tracts adjacent to the Courthouse Complex

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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FOUR MILLION + OCONEE SPLOST DOLLARS TO SPEND!

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Oconee County presently has over $ 4 Million collected and in the bank for County Court and Administration needs.   For sometime, the county has been looking at moving and building a new complex.    It does not seem very smart to be spending that kind of money on a facility requiring more annual maintenance and operational cost while we are in a severe recession and revenues are declining.  

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In time, the County property tax digest will be coming down as real estate values decline with less demand.   Do we really want to raise property tax millage rates for a new courthouse that is “nice to have” or “needed in the future”?

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The money could be used to buy property and hold it until it is really needed.The time and price are right for purchasing the 11.34 acres adjoining the existing courthouse.    With the economy slowdown, sources say the property can be bought on very reasonable terms.   Historically, geographically and environmentally, this is the best place to deal with courthouse space needs.

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WILLIAMS TRACT ON U S 441

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There have been reports that the Williams tract (uncompleted subdivision) on U S 441, north of GA 53, is under consideration for a courthouse and county complex.   Some folks think this is a political connection site.   While “banking land’ for someday may not be a bad thing, it is inconceivable that responsible officials would consider moving the courthouse and build a completely new complex in the foreseeable future in view of economic conditions.   The annual maintenance and operations costs would escalate as it has with the jail and other projects.

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Williams tract on U S 441 – County Cell tower in background -11-09

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BOOTH-CHRISTOPHER-MARABLE-GRAYSON TRACTS:

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The Booth, Marable-Grayson and Christopher tracts are ideally located for an expanded Courthouse Complex and a possible future expansion of the Library.We had to locate a Fire Station lot in Watkinsville during my last years of service.We searched all over and finally bought the current site on US 441 from the Catholic Archdiocese.   We had little space adjacent to the courthouse.   We bought Dr. Ward’s building that is across from the Old Jail and the Booth Residence on Water St.Properties downtown often become available only when someone dies.    It is unprecedented to have 11.34 acres available downtown at one time.   The County needs to take advantage of this unique opportunity.   We have the money on hand.   The investment will require only nominal annual maintenance & operations tax revenue.

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Booth residences on Water St. View from Courthouse – 11-09

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Booth- Marable (Grayson) tracts viewed from Old Jail – 11-09

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Christopher Residence viewed from Durham St toward Oconee State Bank -11-09

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View of Booth-Christopher properties near boundary along Water St -11-09

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Christopher Prop on Durham St looking toward Tanyard Branch – 11-09

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SECURITY

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Some claim we need more security for inmates.   How often are inmates in chains brought to the courthouse?   Are they brought in the back of the courthouse, using the secured elevator and moved along separate corridors?    The 96-98 renovation included those features.

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As one who worked with the County for 26 years and saw a jail built and a renovated and expanded jail in the late 90’s, I fail to see the security issues that some advocates claim.   Fulton County operates a courthouse downtown near the State Capitol.   Dekalb County has a courthouse in the center of Decatur.Gwinnett has its court functions on the west side of Lawrenceville while the jail is on GA 316 on the east side.   Oconee has many deputies and sheriff cars.   Prisoners are transported all the time.  

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Why build a courthouse as an adjunct to a Jail?!?!?!?    A courthouse is the crown jewel of county properties.   Most have historic roots.They need to be preserved. It would not be difficult to build a secure courtroom near the jail for arraignments etc.   The judges can go there but jurors, etc, should not be located “near the jail”.

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Historic location of Oconee County Courthouse on Main St in Watkinsville

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November 1998 - Longtime officials posed for this picture when the renovated courthouse was reopened and dedicated -L-R, Wendell Dawson, BOC Chair; Judge James Barrow, Clerk of Court, Sandra Glass, Probate Judge Reba Hammond, Sheriff Charles Holcomb, and jailer, Willie Mae Carson.

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LET COMMISSIONERS HEAR FROM YOU

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Let the Commissioners know how you stand on this and more spending and pressure on the annual property tax budget for maintenance and operations.Greene County plans to move their courthouse earlier this year met citizen and official resistance and was stopped in its tracks.   Citizens can influence spending.     2-15-09 Courthouse ‘Moving Bug’ meeting strong resistance in Greene County & Greensboro

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For Maps and details on available tracts, see:

Oconee County Courthouse Complex Details 10.12.08.pdf x

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Mayor Luken Weighs In

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Oconee BOC to Get Report from Land Use Committee -Becker-11-22-09

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Citizen Land Use Committee gives report on Courthouse and Mitigation – Becker -11-29-09

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6-25-08 The Oconee County Courthouse should stay on Square in Watkinsville - Part 1

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6-25-08 The Oconee County Courthouse should stay on Square in Watkinsville – Part 2

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5-16-08 Proposal to Move Oconee courthouse has surfaced publicly – Opposition Building

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