During a Tom Graves event yesterday in Ellijay, Chairman of the Gilmer County Republican Party George McClellan presented Oscar Poole, proprietor of Poole’s Barbeque, with a plaque from the Georgia Republican Party for his years of dedication to politics. The crowd at the event also sang Happy Birthday to Mr. Poole, also known as Colonel Poole, since the colonel recently turned 82.

An early supporter of Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney, Colonel Poole was present at the Monday event to welcome current Ninth District Representative Tom Graves (R) to Ellijay. Graves stopped by Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant to mingle with his constituents and continue to get feedback from the community. Come fall, however, Graves will represent the new and near-by fourteenth district, forged from the recent redistricting. For his part Poole was there to welcome Graves to the area. Over the past 23 years, Poole’s presence in politics has been ubiquitous. Photos on his website, archive his activism, spanning from pictures of the colonel with Pat Buchannan to Paul Coverdale to Former Speaker and soon-to-be Former Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrinch. The plaque is a recognition to Colonel Poole’s years of service and dedication to local politcs and the community for the last 23 years. Happy Birthday Colonel Poole!