Durham to guard individual rights

Oconee County Council’s newest member, Matthew Durham, jump-started the council’s first meeting of 2021 with a declaration that, in his four-year term, he is going to try to safeguard individual rights that pertain to guns, property rights, and freedom of speech. The District Two member also vowed that the county should accept no financial help from the federal government if it comes with federal stipulations.  In its re-organization meeting, the council changed its top offices.  Without opposition, District One’s John Elliott will succeed Julian Davis as chairman.  District Three’s Paul Cain will serve as vice-chairman.  In a paper ballot vote between Davis and Durham, the office of chairman pro-tem went to Davis by a vote of 3 to 2 with Cain, Davis, and Elliott voting for Davis; and Hart and Durham voting for Durham.