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Willie,
You left out a very significant detail surrounding the true facts involving Seneca’s Police Chief Stanley Sheriff. You did not let your readers know that Mr. Sheriff tried to exchange his camera at the Seneca Wal-Mart before being told that the warranty had expired. He then proceeded to drive to the Toccoa Wal-Mart to exchange the camera when told he could not in Seneca. I believe that most people, intelligent or not, would be wise enough to say that all of this shows presence of mind. A person cannot have a stroke and know to do all of these things systematically. Why was this printed in other newspapers, but not yours? Is your paper trying to cover up the facts surrounding this? Are all of your people working together with the higher city officials to try and keep the public from being told the truth about the kind of person working as the chief of police?
What do you have to say about the truth of the matter? I would like to know your answer.
Willie says:
There’s no cover up, my friend. That “detail” wasn’t included in information provided to the editor at the time. Read today’s paper.
Willie,
Thank you for publishing the article by Carroll Gambrell … regarding the ACLU. This group needs to be exposed for their anti-American values stance and ongoing mission of intimidation in their quest to eradicate America of traditional religious values. This is all done under the guise of protecting “civil liberties” — talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Thanks again for not being afraid to publish this point of view.
Willie says:
Mr. Gambrell’s point of view is not necessarily the view of the newspaper; it’s his “guest opinion.” Some may share it, but others do not, as evidenced by the reply “guest opinion” by Roger Rollin, a member of the ACLU.
Willie,
I am a Seneca High School football player who is looking forward to this upcoming football season. I think that we have a good chance to comeback from a 4-6 season and become region champs. We will have a young team, but it will be a good one. We have a lot of potential to get far in the playoffs. I’m really glad to have Coach Duncan as our new coach. What are your thoughts, Willie?
Willie says:
I’m with you. And I wish you, your team and your new coach much success!
Willie,
In reference to the Clemson Urgent Care comment, I have a friend that works there and although they close at 8 p.m. during the week, they often don’t get through seeing patients until well after 10 p.m. If you have been sick all day and wait until closing time to call about being seen, don’t complain about going to the emergency room.
Willie says:
No doubt the employees there work very hard, but, if the sign on the door says they’re open, then they should be open. If they’re going to stop seeing patients half an hour before closing, then that should be stated.
Willie,
I just wanted to write and say I am through with George Bush! Eight years ago, this community got him elected. It was the crucial moment and McCain was closing fast. We ended that and got him in the White House. Now we have waited eight years for him to come and speak at a Clemson graduation and he chooses the rich Furman kids to speak to instead? We got you elected, buddy! If it weren’t for our area voting for you in droves, McCain would have been president and you would be selling used cars somewhere in Crawford. Show some respect and stop biting the hand that fed you!
Willie says:
I think it took a whole lot more than this community to get Bush elected; in fact, as I recall, he may not really have been elected at all, but that’s water under the bridge, and his presidency is almost the same. From what I heard, you can thank our governor for the President’s visit to Furman.
Willie,
Just some helpful points for the Clinton (Bill that is) lover and Bush hater. Regarding deficits, presidents don’t spend money, Congress does. Bill Clinton was leaving office as a mild recession was in fact setting in — do your homework. The deficit had been going down because of the Bush tax cuts, which leads to spending, which leads to more money going to the government and viola, a higher gross national product and smaller deficit — basic economics, really. Also, did team Clinton have to pay for Katrina? How about 9-11? Don’t think so. Forgot about that, didn’t we? Both Clintons said Sadam had to be stopped and Mr. Bill had Osama in his grasps and didn’t get him.
You bring up the cost of a barrel of oil. Gosh, I never knew presidents controlled that. Here I thought it was supply and demand all along. Gas could be cheaper but Democrats won’t let us drill off the coast even though Brazil drills in the very same place. And the frozen tundra ANWAR, nope can’t touch that either — animals need that flat piece of ice with nothing on it. Of course, it would help if we had more refineries to process the oil, since the last one built was well over 20 years ago. Takes several years to build one of those.
But, to make you feel better, no Clinton or Bush ever took steps to initiate the building of a refinery. But you can do your part — drive less and that, in a small part, will ease demand. Additionally, if Hillary is elected, you will get to help out the deficit even more because she will raise your taxes. By the way, if you are retired and having to pay taxes on Social Security, you can thank your good buddy Bill for that one.
Willie says:
As you well know, there are plenty of numbers that can be thrown back in the Republicans’ faces for the past eight years. What good does it do to play the blame game? We need to be listening to today’s candidates to decide which one of them will provide us with the best future.
Willie,
On this stimulus payment we’re supposed to be getting, the ones that pay income taxes every year I guess we’ll have to claim this as income next year. Is that right?
Willie says:
It may be hard to believe, but no, we will not have to claim the tax stimulus checks as income.
Willie,
I moved to this area 10 years ago after living in the Annapolis, Md. area for 35 years and I just want to say kudos to all the gentle, kindhearted people in South Carolina. In a shopping center in Seneca I forgot to pick up my purse and take it with me and when I realized it was missing I looked everywhere for it to find that a woman named Kathy Tomlinson from Walhalla had found it and called my home to leave her name and address. Everything was all there and she had gone out of her way just to help me.
Willie says:
Hurray for honest Kathy! There are plenty of honest, kindhearted people just like her all around us.
Willie,
How does the county attorney get away every day with driving his black Subaru up and down the streets with an illegally placed temporary tag in the back windshield that has been there for at least three years? I thought it was only a 45-day tag when it is a temporary tag.
Willie says:
Many people have wondered the same thing. It doesn’t set a great example, does it?
Willie,
Every week there is something in the paper about Lakes Jocassee or Keowee being built on, what about Lake Hartwell? Look at the mess on Cherry Road and the lower part of Seneca. It used to be a place of employment where people made a living. They purposely destroyed a mill that could have put people back to work. They put up condos on both sides of the roads. Why don’t people just get off of the lakes?
Willie says:
“They” took an empty mill and put it back on the tax rolls. Like it or not, those mill jobs are gone. The property is being developed and used, which seems a lot better than letting it sit and watching the building rot.
Willie,
If people are so desperate for money that they have to rob stores, then why not go and pick up some of the cans on the side of the street for money? My family has a bin on our garage to collect the cans and make some money. Robbing stores is not the answer to money problems and there are even more ways to earn some money and help keep the earth trash free. I’m just an 11-year-old with a concern.
Willie says:
Good for you and your family; it seems your parents are instilling a strong work ethic in their children. And thanks for your concern; there are jobs out there for people who are willing to work. People who choose crime often have other problems, like drug addictions, that cause them to turn to crime instead of employment.
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Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments are subject to the site's terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Eagle Media. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.Two comments:
Republicans favor big business and industry with tax incentives/breaks etc. Democrats favor social programs. Bottom line, one gives your money to big business and the other to folks unwilling to work, illegal aliens, etc. Time to end party politics in this country!
Secondly to the person who is whining about losing the JP jobs. Shame on you and me, and even those who worked at JP. None of us insists on buying on US made textiles. Why? Too darn expensive due to high labor costs. Quit whining. We have done this to ourselves folks. If you want to blame someone, blame the guy who signed NAFTA and GATT into law.
In defense of The Seneca Journal (and no, I'm not an employee), the original article regarding Stanley Sheriff stated that he tried to return the camera at the Seneca Wal-Mart before driving to Toccoa.
To the Seneca football player, KUDOS to you for your positive attitude in light of a major change. I wish your team all the best in the upcoming football season and I hope you make it to become regional champs. GO BOBCATS!!
To the Seneca football player. I am the parent of a graduating senior football player from West Oak, and now that he will be graduating, I am all for you!!! BEAT THOSE NASTY HOGS, and take the championship. GO BOBCATS!!
Stanley Sheriff and the County Attorney: Prime examples of what is wrong with Oconee County. When you got bigger crooks in office than you do on the streets, then what chance do we have?
Seneca Football Player,
Kudos to you and the team! Your attitude makes me want to attend every game! Good luck to you all!
Let's Go Bobcats!
Goooooooooooooooooooo BOBCATS!
I know this doesn't have to do with Willie today, but does the Seneca library have wireless connection available if you bring your own laptop? Thanks.
Nope, no wireless access at the library.
re: Stanley Sheriff...Kind of ironic that our own local news paper hasn't published anything about Mr sheriff's postponment on the arraignment in Ga. The Independent Mail published this info. yesterday 4/8 and still nothing from upstatetoday. Do they not know or just choose not to report? This is news I would think.
Regarding the reader's comments about the manned convenience station, I use the station at Richland and could they ever use some training in customer service! Is it a job requirement that these people (who are being paid their salaries by the taxpayers and therefore work for us) are so lacking in customer service skills as to be rude to their employers - the taxpayers of Oconee County?
On one occasion, I thought the staff had been abducted by aliens. I had quite a bit of garbage, recyling, boxes, etc. and was there at least 15 minutes. Never saw a soul until shortly before I left. Two people came out of the building and one person had obviously been asleep from their appearance. I have also had occasion to ask for help with something I couldn't handle alone and you would have thought I had asked them to do something other than their job.
Keep up the good work, Willie, and thanks for letting me vent.
re: County Attorney? Well, like jsl47 says, we got bigger crooks in office than on the streets probably. Not that the county attorney is a crook (I don't think he is a crook), but even if he wasn't the county attorney....the Walhalla Library isn't named the Norton Bldg for no reason....He's like a lot of other old names around here, got it made no matter what you do! Will always have a job! And will never get in trouble for the things you and I would. I could name you a few others that rule applies to in this county....seen it many times in my life.
I have often been criticized in the posting section for the comments I have made about Oconee county's law enforcement, court system, and county administration. Finally some of the rest of you are seeing the obvious truth and making your opinions known. If we could only all get together and make a difference.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
lillie i have felt the same way, and when i comment its never a postive response and yes all of mine are about police and with good reason.i'm working on putting together a few pages on what happens when " innoscent until proven guilty " happenens to a person with out the money to defend themselves and i will let my truth be know and like one said ealier u got to avoid the cops like the tax man weather your guilty or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
iceman29696, more power to you! I'd love to see those pages you're working on. I could document a few things myself. However, I think we both know there's nothing we can actually do to change things. The vast majority of the general public are simply too naive and/or stupid to question our public "servants" and those in "authority". I'm just glad to know that at least there's one other soul out there like me.
I, like alot of people, grew up here, moved away, then came back. Believe me, the law enforcement is crooked in every county in all surrounding states. I lived in NC for 20 years. I know of at least six surrounding counties aound where I lived that people could prove firsthand of the unfair justice system.. Just like you guys, I've seen this happen.
LillieBelle, you are right,the majority of the public are "too stupid" to question those in authority or our fine "upstanding public servants". Most of us were raised(at least I was) to respect authority and the men in blue. They are here to help you, not hurt you. Wrong! They are here to prove you're guilty, and to make themselves "look good for a job well-done".
Like you and Iceman29696, I could tell you personal experiences you would not believe. I'd like to see those pages myself. Yes, there are others out there who know these things besides us, but nothing will ever be done. Simply because we do not matter. We are peons. Our statements are not backed by crooked money,lawyers,drugs, politicians,or lining anyone's pockets. Thus, no one is interested in what we have to say, until... it happens to...THEM.
I think sometimes people forget, we do have a seneca Urgent Care Center. You dont have to go to Clemson.....882-1420
“How does the county attorney get away every day with driving his black Subaru up and down the streets with an illegally placed temporary tag ” As for this question, WHY NOT!!! We have illegal immigrants driving with no license or insurance; they are driving with North Carolina tags and live in South Carolina. If that were you or me we have already been fined for not having changed our tag in a certain time frame. If we were caught driving with out license do you think they would let us go, NO!!
"When the Law breaks the Law, the we have no Law". The officer in Toccoa Ga. that was suppose to be an EMT let a person that claimed to have memory loss get into a car and drive away with the officer observing Mr. Sheriff drive for a few miles with no problems. I never would have let him get into his car and drive away I would have required that someone come and pick him up and drive for him . If he couldn't remember leaving Seneca and driving to Toccoa,then he is a danger to other motorists on the road, as if he doesn't remember driving then how could he be an alert and be able to keep a car under control at all times while driving. Just like on the mountain ,one night when a woman was shot and killed because of a officer falling and his gun discharging accidently. Something isn't right with either picture that was told and we were made to believe that this is the real truth. I find that it was odd that he didn't remember driving to Toccoa, arguing with store clerks, then stealing and was able to drive back to Seneca from Toccoa,Ga. This is not the way the human body functions. I hope that the real truth will come out,and not swept under the rug as before. Or we will have people stealing and using medical reasons to get out of trouble. Yes he may in fact have had a stroke and doesn't remember , but look at the time frame from when the crime was committed and when he seeked medical help , anything could have triggered the attack or maybe he took something to make the stroke come on after he left Toccoa. This is a sly man that we are talking about , I have had a conversation with him just weeks before this happened when I was a victim and was never notified that The acussed had pled guilty,before the trail, Mr. Sheriff talked his way around the problem of me being notified that I didn't have to come to court to testify. I showed up on court day to testify to find out that the case was settled , now if I hadn't gone to court and the trail was to be held I would have been arrested and held with contempt of court. But the Police Department and Majestriate Court was unjust in notification as to the case settled and I wasn't needed to testify. Chief Sheriff thought he was successful in making me believe that he had no knowlege of what had went on about the case.I would think he would be on top of all cases his officers are handling and would have known that I was not notified as I should have been,as I was not only a witness but the victim in this case.He can talk his way out of a wet paper bag but if you really pay attention to what he says ,you will come away thinking how does he get to be a Police officer with all of this bull crap he dishes out to the people. I never believed him when he told me that he did not know what happened to me not being notified.
so how do we stand up aginst this ? Not that i'm saying to stop writeing and telling your stories but their has to be somthing that we can do besides write in to "tell willie ". I honestly think that their is so much to be done and no one is doing anything. But then agin I really dont have a clue were to start.Its as if we need outside help that is if they cant be bought as well
Bob2thinkin & iceman29696,I've felt the same way for a long time and talked to a lot of people. I'm afraid only money and power can make thinks happen. Or, I know this may sound crazy, but if someone like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton got involved, at least there would be some attention brought to the matter. Of course a member of some minority group would have to be involved to get them started.
The people can make it happen except the people don't have the guts to stand up and fight. When I stood up and publicly fought building codes, not a sole stood up in support of me even though I had more behind the scenes support than you'll ever know, from "common folk" to business leaders. Talk is cheap! If you don't have the guts to speak out in support of others then don't expect others to speak out when you need it.
You're right Sparrow. "The people" could make it happen but as you've experienced it yourself, you and I are not enough even if we do stand up and speak out.
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