The GA General Primary will be held on July 20, 2010. Qualifying for candidates in Georgia will begin on April 26 at 9:00 AM and end at noon on April 30. ……………… On the Oconee School Board, Post 2, Mack Guest, and Post 3, Kim Argo, will be on the ballot. On the County BOC, Post 2, John Daniell, and Post 3, Margaret Hale will be on the ballot.

AVOC

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January 15, 2010

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Election 2010- Congress, State Officials, Oconee BOE and BOC - 2 Members each

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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The GA General Primary will be held on July 20, 2010.    Qualifying for candidates in Georgia will begin on April 26 at 9:00 AM and end at noon on April 30.  

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NATIONAL CONGRESS

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Elections will involve all members of Congress including 10^th District seat of Congressman Paul Broun who will probably retain his seat.  Unless things change by November it is looking like a GOP year for Congress - and hopefully will reduce the power of Nancy Pelosi.

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Senator Johnny Isakson is up for re-election and should be in good shape.  We need more Isaksons in Washington and less Harry Reids and Chuck Schumers.

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STATE OFFICIALS

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On the state level, the Governor’s Office and others are up for grabs.   Former Governor Roy Barnes has raised the most money but he did that in his losing bid 8 years ago.   The State has revenue and other challenges right now but Roy Barnes is not the answer.  Roy Barnes needs to stay retired.  We should get a new Ag Commissioner, Secretary of State, Attorney General and others.

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OCONEE COUNTY

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On the local scene in Oconee, thanks to recent staggered terms legislation, we will have two members of the Board of Education and two commissioner posts up for election.   On the School side, Post 2, Mack Guest, and Post 3, Kim Argo, will be on the ballot.   On the County BOC, Post 2, John Daniell, and Post 3, Margaret Hale will be on the ballot.   Qualifying Fees are $ 594.42 for a Board of Commissioners Member and $ 54.00 for a Board of Education Member.

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BOARD OF EDUCATION POSTS

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Mack Guest –Post 2

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Kim Argo – Post 3

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On the school side, there has been much controversy involving several matters: Administrative Costs; Pay Raise attempt at beginning of last year; North Oconee Principal controversy, and spending priorities, including the recent purchase of six acres on Old 441 for $ 900,000 for “administrative staff”.    The recent land purchase was from two well connected brothers, a former school board member and a bank president.  

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There are rumors that other land owned by the brothers’ has interest from the “Corner Office” of the courthouse for future county needs.   The courthouse moving idea will be a big part of the commission races this year.   I sense little support for moving the courthouse, especially at this time.  Buying available land (11.3 acres) adjacent to the courthouse complex or buying from “connected folks” will be an issue also.

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COMMISSION POSTS

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John Daniell – Post 2

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Margaret Hale – Post 3

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AVOC sources indicate that school board member Mack Guest is being encouraged to run against John Daniell for the BOC.  There is some indication that encouragement is coming from a fellow Rotarian in the “Corner Office” of the courthouse.   There is also some information that a candidate, in addition to Esther Porter, is also being encouraged to run against Margaret Hale. 

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Daniell and Hale both supported reorganizing administrative duties of the BOC.   They both say it is working well.   Both John Daniell and Margaret Hale have stated they will be seeking re-election.   Margaret Hale recently had some neck-disk surgery and a bout with the flu but is on the mend.  

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School system buys property on North Main Street – Oconee Leader 1-14-10

http://www.theoconeeleader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1004&Itemid=1

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Oconee BOE spends $ 900K on land for office – AB-H-1-15-10

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/011510/new_549255846.shtml

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