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Note: Comments posted at the bottom of this page are not submissions for the print version of Tell Willie and are for online readers to discuss today's Tell Willie column in real time. To submit a question or comment to Willie for the print newspaper click here or call 864-882-0903 and leave Willie a message. He checks his voice mail daily.

Willie,

Last week was National Teacher Appreciation Week, also bus drivers and nurses. I want to say thank you to all of them and let them know we appreciate them.

Willie says:

Ditto from Willie and my readers!

Willie,

Your May 2 paper says “South Carolina lawmakers have decided it’s OK for 15- and 16-year-olds to talk and text message on cell phones while driving.” I think there is a connection here between our lawmakers and our 49.2 percent high school graduation rate. They don’t come any dumber. By the way, to be ranked 50th among all states in high school graduation takes real effort. It’s not easy.

Willie says:

Hooey! That hit ’em right between the eyes.

Willie,

I was just eating lunch and a mom and three kids came in. Well, when they got everything settled, I looked over and the mom and three kids were holding hands and praying. I was so touched I was really tearing up, even now that I think about it. We just don’t see this enough. I think that if we had more of this kind of relationship in our lives the world would be a much better place. It really made me think about my life. I am 38 years old and I have only seen this one other time. I was at McDonald’s and a guy about my age, wearing what look like a baseball outfit, came in and before he started to eat he took off his hat and prayed. I hope that everyone that reads this will be as touched as I was and will really think about their life.

Willie says:

If their example served to affect you and make you think about your life, then those who prayed will be happy to know that they shared their faith, even though they didn’t know it at the time.

Willie,

When I moved to this area over 20 years ago, I discovered a new selection on restaurant items. It was meat and three (including sweet tea and biscuits or cornbread). My favorite veggie is macaroni and cheese. I have been growing vegetables for years, but have never been able to find the seed for my favorite in any of the catalogs. Can anyone help? I once planted Cheerios to get doughnuts, but it didn’t work. Maybe I planted them too deep.

Willie says:

I think meat and three has affected your mind, friend.

Willie,

I’ve got a comment and a few answers. What kind of a county isn’t willing to fund its education processes or its county employees who are responsible for our daily health, welfare and safety? But, is willing to boondoggle money for new and unneeded positions and services?

Here are the answers to the current budget “dilemma.” First, we get rid of the millage we are all charged on our tax bills to support the amateur hour effort that calls itself “Economic Development” and let Alexander and Company enjoy his military pension without our county salary supplement. That millage reduction should give us back about half a million dollars.

Second, we stop supporting this thing called the Oconee Alliance when there are already existing professional groups in the Upstate that are more than capable of doing what little the Oconee Alliance has done; subcontract with them if we feel necessary. Maybe they will pay for Gadd & Company — or at least supplement his already in place pension(s). Then the money won’t come out of Oconee County pockets.

Third, we cancel immediately the so-called national searches for individuals to be our PIO (Public Information Officer) and to head up our CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau).

How come we can find money for all these people — present and planned — but cannot support our educators, law enforcement and other personnel? What is county council thinking?

Willie says:

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a whole county to move forward with programs that will bring jobs, enhance quality of life and promote tourism. I take it you’d prefer the “let’s keep Oconee County a secret” approach. Maybe if the county didn’t find itself in so many lawsuits, there would be enough money for all.

Willie,

I read your column every day and generally agree with everything you say, however, this morning it brought the hairs up on the back of my neck. In reference to what William Jefferson Clinton would be called if Hillary were elected president, I don’t know what he would be called, but you said he would always be President Clinton. He is not the president; the president is George W. Bush. Former President Clinton may deserve another title, but right now it is inappropriate to call him President Clinton because he far from being our president.

Willie says:

There is no official “law” on what to call former presidents. They may be addressed as “former” or “the honorable,” but the media generally just uses “president.”

Willie,

We have another place in Seneca that has the best hamburgers and it is called Chili and Spuds. It’s where Monroe’s used to be except they tore everything out and now it’s clean and it is delicious food and I think everybody needs to give it a chance.

Willie says:

We’ll give it a try based on your recommendation!

Willie,

I really believe they should remove the illegal siding on the house by the library, then it would look like many of the other structures in the historic district; either abandoned, vacant, run down, unpainted or just plain burnt out.

Willie says:

The controversy over developer Spencer Wilson’s actions continues, with the City of Seneca defending its Board of Architectural Review. Time will tell.

Willie,

This is in response to the coach at the Walhalla Middle School. I would like to say that my son was going down the wrong path, hanging with the wrong crowd and this particular coach helped him so much when his dad wasn’t there and when I couldn’t do the job. The coach helped him so much it was unreal. If we had more teachers that were not afraid and had the freedom to teach our kids and do as they did in the old days, we’d have a whole lot less violence.

Willie says:

Great teachers can make a difference, no matter what the rules are or what time period we’re living in. I’m glad your son responded to this positive influence. Be sure to thank the coach in person.

Willie,

I live in Westminster and I think it is pretty bad that the county council won’t even study the plans to get the CAT buses in Westminster and Walhalla. Westminster doesn’t even have a taxi or cab company. Old people need to get to Seneca to the doctors and even young people with jobs in Seneca. Some people walk to Seneca to catch a CAT bus to get to work. I hope they do something about it in the future.

Willie says:

With the price of gas, more and more people will be hopping on that bandwagon to get CAT service throughout the county. It will take many voices to get the council’s ear, so get a group together and make your wishes known.

Willie,

I’m so frustrated with some of the individuals in Oconee County. Every other day I’m reading about Frank Geis and Stanley Sheriff and their so-called problems. Good grief, people need to let it be. There are two sides to every story.

Willie says:

There are two sides to every story. But sometimes the other side isn’t told until legal procedures have been completed.

Willie,

I want to know why the cable company has had so much trouble keeping the picture on the TV for the past few months. You get started on a program and it goes snowy and back and forth. It is very irritating when you pay an arm and a leg to get their service. They should notify the customers across the screen if they are working on a line somewhere.

Willie says:

That would be too easy, wouldn’t it?

Willie,

I don’t think the attendants at the convenience center should routinely be expected to sort your recycled items for you, but I had an experience at the Strawberry Farm Road center that I thought was a bit slack. I was the only person there and the two attendants were having what appeared to be a pleasant chat while I emptied my stuff. My trash bag was quite heavy and was difficult to lift out of the trunk. (My husband usually handles this chore). I had to support it against one leg while I maneuvered it to the rail. I’m sure it was obviously challenging for me, but they never paid any attention while it took all my strength to hoist it over the rail. While I am an able bodied woman, a senior citizen, I’d have expected one of the men to offer to help anyone who was obviously having difficulty. I’m sure they’d have helped if I’d asked, but in situations like this they should offer. Is that not part of their job?

Willie says:

Customer assistance is not part of their job, unless the person using the center is handicapped, but a little chivalry would go a long ways.