Political season picks up in Seneca

The 2016 political season picked up last night in Seneca with a League of Women Voters’ forum that brought together the candidates for Seats 2, 4 and 5 on the Oconee County Council. The takeaway from last night is that council candidates want Oconee to move forward, but there is disagreement on how to preserve its natural resources.   Last night’s crowd at the Gignilliat Community Center was estimated at 150.   There was disagreement last night about whether Oconee is wise to have zoning—the regulation of land and buildings.   Two candidates—John Dalen for District Four and Glenn Hart for District Five—said they are against zoning.  District Four’s Joel Thrift says zoning is a good way for a landowner, such as a farmer, to protect his land.  In the race for District Two, incumbent Wayne McCall and his challenger, Jared Ketterman, can look forward to a one-on-one at 7 o’clock tomorrow night at the Walhalla Civic Auditorium.  That get together is sponsored by the chamber of commerce.