During April and while I was traveling, Lee Becker has written several articles that are informative about the county and I recommend them to AVOC readers. (Courthouse, BOC Campaign, Regional Resources, etc…….)

AVOC

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April 18, 2010

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Dawson April Trip to London-Paris- ‘Meanwhile back at home in Oconee’

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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My wife and I visited London and Paris the first 10 days of April.   Needless to say, I got behind on a lot of things.   We have numerous pictures of the trip to process and I will be posting some articles about the trip.   Unfortunately, time is limited!

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Betty & Wendell Dawson at Thames River – London Tower Bridge 4-5-10

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During April and while I was traveling, Lee Becker has written several articles that are informative about the county and I recommend them to AVOC readers.    See links below.    The red headlines are AVOC’S and not Dr. Becker’s but his headlines are listed and the articles are detailed.

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Most of the subjects are update to issues that AVOC has concentrated on for sometime.   Lee Becker does an excellent job of research.   I like to pass on his links with comments from my own perspective and insight from 26 years in County Government.

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AVOC comment:

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COURTHOUSE:

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We still have little information from the Commission about how the $ 4.3 Million Fund of 2003 originated.   Several have told me that the courthouse decision is a “done deal” and eventually will unfold.    Over the last few years, I have heard that Horton and Hale opposed buying the land adjacent to the courthouse.   Some have speculated that Luke wants to move the complex because of “parking”.    At one time, Davis advocated buying the land adjacent to the courthouse for future expansion.

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The Security Issue has been raised to move the courthouse “near the jail”.   Yet, Walton and Jackson did not build near their jails – any nearer than Oconee’s current jail and courthouse complex.   Gwinnett has its jail on the Athens side of Lawrenceville on GA 316 and its Judicial Center is on the Dekalb side of Lawrenceville.   Barrow built a huge joint complex away from Downtown but it has had its share of controversy and financial challenges to operate.

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To me, “near the jail” is just Code Words for buying the rest of the Williams Property on US 441, adjacent to the Board of Education $ 900,000 December purchase.   Oconee BOE spends $ 900K on land for office –AB-H -1-15-10

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Some think the Land Use Committee report will carry the day.    However, that was done with weighted votes (one could cast five stars or votes for their favorite and that skews the real feelings of the committee).   Some speculate the matter was referred to the Committee to give the BOC some cover on a pre-determined plan.   I tend to agree with the “Cover” speculation.   However, circumstances have changed since the referral.   Economic and revenue conditions are not improved and the School Board purchased expensive property for an administration building.

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7-14-09 Oconee County Courthouse – Historic and Lots of Memories

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CAMPAIGNS FOR BOC

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For several weeks, I have heard that a big push will be made to “restore Melvin Davis’ powers”.    I personally do not think that is a popular rallying cry.   However, there is speculation that it is getting support “behind the scenes”, i.e: Rotary and Chamber.   Mrs. Hale’s opponent is in the Rotary Club which has been a strong supporter of fellow Rotarian Melvin Davis.   Speculation has been that School Board Member Mack Guest may oppose John Daniell.    Guest is also a Rotarian along with School Board Chairman David Weeks.  

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The Chamber, Rotary and Oconee Enterprise did not support Hale, Daniell or Horton in the last election and they won by large margins anyway.    They have longtime county roots and will not be easily replaced.   Citizens should be alert and watch these two races.   Hale and Daniell were active in restoring balance to the BOC and limiting Chairman Davis’s powers that had been greatly expanded over the previous 10 years.

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1-16-10 Election 2010 - Congress, State Officials, Oconee BOE and BOC - 2 Members each

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OCONEE COUNTY FINANCES:

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Sales taxes are not as plentiful as they were when building was going like gangbusters.   Land values are declining faster than the assessed values and tax digest reflect.   We hear about land sales from time to time that are well below the high prices being paid in the 2004-2007 period of the building boom.   We now have a buyer’s market.    House prices are down and all that will eventually be reflected in property tax revenue.

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Informed observers see the Hard Labor Creek Water Reservoir project ($ 360 Million plus) as a mistake that can be hard to pay without using taxpayer funds.   The ones who supported it seem to want Atlanta (or someone) to take it over.

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1-29-10 Oconee Sales & Property Taxes, Assessments and budget issues

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OCONEE COUNTY RESOURCE DESIGNATED

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According to Lee Becker’s report, the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission voted unanimously on April 15, 2010, to include Elder Mill, Elder Mill Bridge, the Athens Line and the Apalachee River on the list of 25 Regionally Important Resources for the 12-county region.

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While, AVOC is not opposed to the resources listed, we wish more attention was given to the High Shoals area.   The Shoals are unique and impact three counties, Walton, Morgan and Oconee County.   This is an excellent area for future green space and natural preservation.   Much of it is owned by one owner.   

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Apalachee Beach at the Oconee –Morgan Line near U S 441, is an historical, natural recreation area and should be preserved from residential development.    It went through some controversial rezoning and the public access was closed by the county in recent years.     I feel and hope the current owner has the resources and public consciousness to prevent its destruction.    Future county governing bodies may want to have public access.  

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Another resource is the Barnett Shoals Dam area at the Oconee –Clarke County boundary near Oglethorpe County.    There has been speculation that this dam site may be marketable.    It has potential and should be protected.

Links to Lee Becker’s Oconee Observations

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OCONEE COURTHOUSE PLANS STILL VAGUE

SPLOST 2003 is the Problem– Becker 4-1
…..Oconee County Commissioner Jim Luke used the commissioner comment section of the March 30 Board of Commissioners agenda-setting meeting to offer his perspective on where things stand regarding future plans for the courthouse.

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..On April 2, Luke told me in a telephone conversation that he was motivated to make the comments by the hope that the papers would cover what he said and reassure citizens.
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His strategy backfired. the Athens Banner-Herald reporter present ignored his comments. The Oconee Leader, as is usual, has not run a story on the meeting.
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The Oconee Enterprise got the story exactly backwards, reporting under the headline “Commissioners favor new government center” that “A decision to buy a site for a government center was made when the Oconee County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night.”
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The Enterprise had Commission Chairman Melvin Davis and Commissions Chuck Horton and John Daniell “concurring” with Luke on something, and Commissioner Margaret Hale remaining “silent.”…

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OCONEE BUDGET MEETINGS BEGIN

http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2010/04/public-phase-of-oconee-county-2011.html

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Parks and Rec in Lead Position- Becker 4-7-10
….The budgeting process for the county for Fiscal Year 2011 moves into its public phase on Monday with the first of three scheduled meetings of department heads, elected officials and judicial officers with the members of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners.

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MARGARET HALE OPPONENT RAISES FUNDS

http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2010/04/gilland-reports-raising-nearly-5000-for.html

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UGA Connection Helps -   - Becker 4-11-10
……Tammy Tate Gilland confirmed her intention to run for Post 3 on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners on April 1 when she filed a campaign contribution disclosure report indicating that she has raised $ 4,685 toward her campaign.

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OCONEE RESOURCES DESIGNATED

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http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2010/04/four-resources-in-oconee-county-get.html

….List Can Change - Becker -4-15-10
…The Council of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission voted unanimously today to include Elder Mill, Elder Mill Bridge, the Athens Line and the Apalachee River on the list of 25 Regionally Important Resources for the 12-county region.

(….. Oconee representatives were Chairman Melvin Davis, Watkinsville Mayor Joe Walter and Amrey Harden)…..

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CODE ENFORCEMENT

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http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-of-two-businesses-at-busy-oconee.html