Blog Topic: Oconee Observations

In the Loop: Is the Daniells Bridge Road Project About Safety or Development?

By Lee Becker | February 3, 2015 11:23am

Tom Kittle, who really is at the center of the Daniells Bridge Road extension and flyover, made his case for this project and the related widening of the road in a straightforward fashion at the Oconee County Board of Commissioners meeting last Tuesday.

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In the Loop: Bed Bath & Beyond, Party City Are the Latest Stores to Leave Atlanta Highway

By Lee Becker | January 27, 2015 10:49am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Oconee County has issued a permit for a 39,000-square-foot building at Epps Bridge Centre to house both Bed Bath & Beyond and Party City.

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In the Loop: Officials Urge Oconee County to Raise Taxes for Caterpillar, Road Improvements

By Lee Becker | January 26, 2015 4:01pm

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Given the costs of paying for the enticements to bring Caterpillar to the area, the need for new judicial facilities and the plans to build new roads and maintain the existing ones, Oconee County commissioners should consider an increase in the county’s property tax rate.

That was the message of Wes Geddings, county finance director, in the opening session of a day-long planning meeting held by the Oconee Board of Commissioners at a conference venue in Athens-Clarke County on Wednesday.

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In the Loop: You Can Buy Liquor in Oconee County Restaurants Now

By Lee Becker | January 8, 2015 11:21am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

As a result of action taken Tuesday night by the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, the county now has a new liquor ordinance that allows for the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks in county restaurants.

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In the Loop: Athens Rep. Regina Quick Questions Need for Transportation Funding

By Lee Becker | December 19, 2014 4:18pm

It is unlikely that Rep. Regina Quick (R-Athens) won any friends at the Georgia Department of Transportation last week with the comments she made at the special session with local governmental leaders organized by the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce.

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In the Loop: Commission Chairman Melvin Davis Suggests Allowing Bars in Oconee County

By Lee Becker | December 18, 2014 11:35am

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to consider over the next three weeks changes in the draft ordinance presented to it that will allow for the sale of liquor by the drink in county restaurants.

Commission Chairman Melvin Davis recommended that the board review the requirement in the draft ordinance that no more than 25 percent of the gross income at the restaurant be from the sale of alcoholic beverages.

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In the Loop: Oconee Hosts Meetings on Mars Hill Widening and New Courthouse

By Lee Becker | December 1, 2014 4:52pm

Oconee County will hold three meetings between now and Dec. 11 that will provide an overview of the Mars Hill Road widening, a discussion of space needs for the county in coming years, and the expectations of the county’s representatives to the General Assembly as that body gets ready to meet in January.

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In the Loop: A Faulty Road for Caterpillar Cost Taxpayers $220,000

By Lee Becker | November 14, 2014 1:30pm

Oconee County is paying nearly $110,000 as the county’s share of the cost of repairing Orkin Drive, the main entranceway to the Caterpillar plant on the east side of Bogart.

The roadway failed shortly after the two counties accepted responsibility for it in August and September of 2013, and it was partially closed and rebuilt at the end of last year. Total cost of repair was just less than $220,000, with Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County splitting the expenses.

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In the Loop: Oconee Voters Approve Liquor by the Drink

By Lee Becker | November 5, 2014 3:09pm

Oconee County voters approved by large margins the sale of liquor by the drink in restaurants throughout the county and its cities and continuation of the 1 percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for another six years.

Unofficial results show 65.4 percent of those who cast ballots approving of liquor by the drink, and 65.1 percent approving of SPLOST.

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In the Loop: Oconee Liquor Supporters Won't Admit They Support Liquor

By Lee Becker | October 31, 2014 10:56am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Oconee County voters who want to improve the quality of life in the county, enhance the county’s infrastructure and spur economic development should vote Yes on Referendum 2 on Nov. 4, according to advertisements in today’s edition of both of the county’s weekly newspapers.

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