Politics

Joshua Harrison will transition from his role as principal at Fair-Oak Elementary to become the new principal at Ravenel Elementary, as announced by the Oconee School District following Monday night’s county trustees meeting. Additionally, Sarah Melton will move from her position as special education coordinator at Seneca’s Blue Ridge Elementary School to become the school’s new assistant principal.

I took over the publisher role for The Hartwell Sun around the same time the Class of 2024 was embarking on their senior year at Hart County High School. When I got here, the paper had been without and editor for nine months and without a reporter for three months. I was responsible for writing every single story in the newspaper, as well as the normal responsibilities of an editor.

Election Day culminated in decisive victories for Hart County incumbents in every contested race. Data from the Hart County Board of Elections displayed that a mere 25.94% of registered voters (4,690 out of 18,079) cast their ballots in the May 21 closed primary–a percentage that county Elections Coordinator Robin Webb stated was disappointing considering the monthslong elections process.

On Friday, the final day of advanced-in-person voting for the May 21 election, 405 voters cast their ballot at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Toccoa, bringing the total of advance-in-person votes to 3,000. A total of 309 Absentee Ballots have been requested and mailed out, and so far, 258 have been filled out and returned. Absentee ballots can be returned in the official drop box at the Stephens County Historic Courthouse through close of voting tomorrow, May 21, at 7 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RESOLUTION 2024-12 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AND DIRECTING THAT THE OCONEE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION HOLD THE ELECTION REGARDING THE CREATION OF THE CORINTH-SHILOH SPECIAL PURPOSE TAX DISTRICT FOR FIRE PROTECTION ON THE SAME DAY AS THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION; AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS. Monday, May 20, 2024– I requested that Resolution 2024-12 be placed on the agenda for Tuesday’s county council meeting. The resolution, if passed by council, will request and direct the Oconee County Board of Elections and Voter Registration to hold the election for the creation of the Corinth-Shiloh Special Purpose Tax District for Fire Protection on the same day as the 2024 general election. My primary reason for this decision is to ensure maximum voter turnout and to better reflect the true will of the community. Holding the election as a stand-alone election during the summer, when many people are on vacation or otherwise preoccupied, raises the risk of a low turnout. Such a critical decision, which involves a significant tax increase for the Corinth-Shiloh community, deserves to be made with the broadest possible participation from the residents of that community. By scheduling the election on the same day as the general election in November, we can leverage the higher voter turnout typical of general elections, thus ensuring that the decision made reflects the majority view of the community. I understand that there are differing opinions on the timing of this election, and I appreciate the community's interest in resolving this matter promptly. However, I believe that aligning this vote with the general election will better serve the democratic process and uphold the integrity of the decision-making process. I encourage all residents of the Corinth-Shiloh area to stay informed and participate in the upcoming discussions and the election. Public forums and town hall meetings will be scheduled to provide more information and address any concerns from the community.

It should be a beautiful evening for the City of Royston’s Monthly Artisan Walk. The monthly Artisan Walk takes place this evening from 5p to 7p in downtown Royston. Royston’s Artisan Walk gives people an opportunity to get out in the evening, take a break from the day’s work, and stroll the downtown area viewing local artists and craft vendors’ work.

The Seneca Planning Commission unanimously approved an annexation request for the former Utica Mill property on Monday night, advancing plans by Georgia developer John Gumpert to build about 400 apartments on the site. The annexation request now moves to Seneca City Council for readings in June and July, with final approval expected in July.

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Europe during WWII, and since it is impossible for everyone to attend the ceremonies in Europe, the Currahee Military Museum is offering an alternative option here in Toccoa. Saturday, June 1, will begin early with the D-Day Run at Currahee Mountain,...

A regulatory board in Seneca welcomed the ambitious plans of an Atlanta developer to convert a dilapidated former textile property into a multi-housing complex inside an economic opportunity zone adjoining the Utica Community. This was accomplished on two votes last night by the city planning commission: one to annex what used to be a J-P Stevens plant and the second assigning to the property the designation of a PD-R—planned development residential. Planning chairman Barry Duvall said the project is a “no brainerish” one and, in the words of fellow commissioner Keith Hart, will eradicate blight at 1300 E. South Sixth Street. Developer John Gumpert invited the commission to see an example of what he’s already doing to revitalize a former textile property in the Anderson County town of Pendleton. For Seneca, the project referred to as “Seneca Mill Lofts” will be undertaken in four phases, with phases one and four to be undertaken simultaneously. Gumpert predicted work on the property is likely to become visible by the end of the year. The planning commission votes last night are recommendations for city council, but Duvall sought to assure Gumpert the council rarely disagrees with them.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has re-opened Ga. 51 in Homer for the newly constructed bridge over the Hudson River. The Georgia DOT announced the opening in a release Friday, saying the original bridge had been built in 1937 and was widened in 1979, leaving it in need of replacement. The new bridge is reportedly longer and wider than the original structure.

The Hart County Commission has voted to put a referendum on the November ballot that would increase the homestead exemption for those aged 65 and up. In 2021, the Board voted to raise the Senior Homestead Exemption by $5,000 instead of the requested $10,000. At their meeting last week, Commissioner...

The First Public Hearing for the Toccoa FY 2025 Budget will be held tomorrow at a 5 p.m. meeting. The Toccoa City Commission will meet twice Tomorrow, May 21. The first meeting will be a work session at 3 p.m., with a regular scheduled meeting following at 5 p.m. Both meetings will take place at City Hall, 92 N. Alexander Street. Both meetings are a break from the normal schedule of the fourth Monday of the month due to the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.

Lake Hartwell was a tough nut to crack this go round, but the NPFL Pros dug in on the deck and found a way to fill the wells. Special thanks to our gracious host Anderson County for making us feel so welcome. We look forward to visiting again soon.

Some changes in leadership happening at the Franklin County School system. At a called meeting Tuesday evening, the Board of Education approved some reshuffling of principals. According to School Superintendent Melanie Burton Brown, beginning with the 2024 – 25 school year, Royston Elementary School’s principal will be Jamie Hammock and the Assistant Principal will be Natalie Erskine.

A note from Stephens County Clerk of Superior Court Tim Quick: All jurors summoned for jury duty on Monday, May 20, need to report as scheduled to the Stephens County Government Building, 70 N Alexander Street, no later than 9 a.m. Again, all jurors summoned to appear for jury duty...

The Royston Downtown Development Authority is asking the City to enact ordinances designed to clean up blighted properties. At their City Council meeting Tuesday evening, the City Council and Mayor heard from Main Street Director Michael Crump who spoke on behalf of DDA Chairperson Marjorie Moore who was out sick.

The DOT has filled some of potholes on a heavily-traveled secondary road near Seneca, but according to a member of Oconee’s State “C” Fund Committee, the results leave something to be desired. The “C” Fund Committee’s Dick Cottingham yesterday pressed the DOT’s Randy Russell to re-examine the Old Seneca-Clemson Highway. The section that Cottingham believes needs further work is that which runs between the Food Lion shopping center and the Lawrence Bridge Road.

After being twice delayed, this year’s Toast of Toccoa is scheduled for this Saturday, and WNEG News sat down with Toccoa Special Events Coordinator Misty Richardson to find out a little bit more about the event. Richardson said she was keeping an eye on the weather forecast. She talked...

The City of Madison says hundreds of affordable apartment units are on track to being completed.

Several local businesses in Oconee County will host ribbon-cutting ceremonies over the next two weeks to mark their grand openings. The events are free to attend and the public is invited to celebrate. The schedule is as follows: Dunkin Donuts on Tuesday, May 21, at 9:00 AM located at 1024 ByPass 123, Seneca; Longhorn Steakhouse on Tuesday, May 28, at 11:00 AM situated at 13040 Clemson Blvd, Seneca; and Right at Home on Tuesday, June 3, at 4:30 PM located at 100 Keowee Trail, Seneca. For further details, please contact Dari McBride, President of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, at 864-882-2097 or [email protected].