Click on photo to enlarge
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,
I was wondering if you would publish the e-mail and mailing addresses for Gresham Barrett, Lindsay Graham and Jim DeMint in your column so we can voice our opinion on the bailout crisis in Washington.
Willie says:
Glad to oblige. www.barrett.house.gov, Greenwood office (864) 224-7401; www.lgraham.senate.gov, Greenville office (864) 250-1417; www.demint.senate.gov, Greenville office (864) 233-5366
Willie,
I believe that Oconee is the best place in the world for a deadbeat dad to live. They can get away with not supporting their children. It takes Oconee forever to do anything about it. And when they do, it’s a slap on the hand. Well, what does Oconee think that these moms are doing trying to support their kids and stay off welfare? I think that we should have stricter laws about child support. These dads can go months without paying, and then it’s left for the mom to make sure that the children get what they need. Please tell me what a mom is to do these days with the gas prices and grocery
bills?
Willie says:
Pray. It’s probably the best answer I’ve got. I agree 100 percent that the state needs a way to respond to these situations quicker. However, locking someone up because he isn’t paying child support will seldom get any help to the child. The dads need to be out working and have the money taken off their paychecks for their children.
Willie,
Love your column. What happened to the new Food Lion? It seems that progress has stopped. When are they going to fix the intersection at 188 and 28 and extend the left turn lane from 188 to 28 by CVS? That is truly a mess most of the time. Thanks in advance for the information.
Willie says:
Sorry, but my answer to all your good questions is “I don’t know.” I suspect
the Food Lion is on hold as a result of a bad economy and credit markets
that have been tight and getting tighter. Would you build a major food store
right now? Your answer is probably the same one the Food Lion people would have. As for that intersection … wow, do we need some help there. Maybe now that the old Quik Stop building is razed there will be room to do something.
Willie,
This is written to inform your readers who are motorists, gas station operators or law enforcement personnel. South Carolina law is explicit in requiring that gas stations must label their pumps if the gasoline contains
ethanol. My impression is that many stations are not so labeled, yet, if you ask, they will tell you that there is ethanol in their fuel. Why is this important? Because fuel with 10 percent ethanol has 96.6 percent of the energy per gallon as pure gasoline. Therefore a motorist can afford to pay 3.5 percent more for gas without ethanol. For example, if gas with ethanol
is $3.379 per gallon, pure gasoline at $3.489 is a better buy. The legislation and EPA mandates requiring corn-based ethanol to be used in our motor fuel are misguided and ineffectual attempts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and alleviate global warming. So much has been written showing the fallacy of these policies that it has become abundantly clear that the only beneficiaries of the legislation are the corn growers and the ethanol processors. It is unconscionable for Congress and the administration to enrich this narrow segment of our nation’s population at the expense of the rest of us.
Willie says:
Well, I guess you got that off your chest. Willie’s just happy to find a
little gas of any kind these days.
Willie,
I am a volunteer firefighter and was told this afternoon that I had more training than our county fire chief, EMA, director, dictator. Were there no
minimum requirements for the top fire chief EMA position?
Willie says:
You must be one well-trained guy because I remember reading Mr. Burdette’s biography in that series the paper did on county offices, and he’s got plenty of training and background. Mr. Hendricks hired him and the paper said at the time that he had excellent training. If you’re more qualified, I guess you should have applied for the job.
Willie,
Who would I contact to make a complaint about the exit going to West Union in front of Hardees in Walhalla? People use that as a turning lane into
Hardees instead of going less than a tenth of a mile farther to turn. This cuts the vision off of oncoming traffic for the driver turning toward West Union. I myself have come close to being involved in wrecks due to this. Could the state just not put up a concrete median there to keep cars from turning?
Willie says:
Gotta feeling more people would hit the cement barrier than go around it. People like shortcuts, and there’s really only a couple things you can do:
talk to the Walhalla police if the situation is unsafe or take it up with Councilman Tommy Crumpton. He’s chairman of the county transportation
committee and probably knows the folks who would be in charge of changing it.
Willie,
I’ve noticed that as I review the jobs available online at upstatetoday.com, the jobs are listed as SC-Seneca, but they’re not actually in Seneca and you
don’t know that until you click on the job. Shouldn’t it list where it’s actually located? For example: Bojangles, we don’t have one, it’s coming to
Clemson, not Seneca. Maybe you’ll show someone what I think because I’ve
written several times what I feel is important to “Tell Willie” and it never
gets published. I can’t seem to get free gas either, bummer ...
Willie says:
My buddies at the paper always had the answers. First, they’ve given away $100 worth of gas every week for several week so some folks are finding it.
Second, I’m told the reason the jobs are listed as Seneca is because the ads
are placed through a paper located in Seneca and the national system
involved is set up that way. Hopefully, somewhere in the ad it explains that
the actual jobs may be in Clemson, Anderson or Walhaller.
Willie,
I totally agree with our feisty mayor on the illegal immigrant issue. And I
applaud Mayor Chastain for voicing his opinion. More of our leaders should
speak up and take action. Illegals taking advantage of the free services at the hospital is the main reason for the hospital getting into financial stress. Keep up the good work, Mayor Chastain.
Willie says:
The good mayor is probably glad to hear you agree. All Willie can say is the
hospital was running bad debt long before there were illegal immigrants in Oconee County. I suspect some of the current debt is also coming from natives of Oconee County and I don’t mean the Cherokees. That said, I also
agree that we should do more to identify illegals.
Home
Discuss story 
iPod friendly version
October 9, 2008
12:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I say lock them up!!!!! If they are working and still not paying the child support then they should be behind bars. What good is it to the mother or child, if the man is working and still not paying up. Dead beat dads should be behind bars!!
October 9, 2008
8:26 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I am a father with custody. Yet my ex is a dead beat mom. I get so sick of always hearing dead beat dad. Not all dead beats are dads lets remember there are moms that do not take care of their kids also. However to the writer it is not just here in oconee it is everywhere. I recieve my child support through another county and they will not even tell me anything. I have to drive 4 hours and do everything in person to find anything out.
October 9, 2008
8:49 a.m.Report inappropriate content
There are three sides to every story. Your side, my side, then there is the truth. We all believe that we are right when asked our side. But, our side is always clouded by our own perceptions. What we think is a slight against us or what was taken out of context. (Happens all the time on this site)
To the person who is complaining about not receiving child support, all I have to say is, why would you sleep and get pregnant by a person like that? “A dead beat dad” Now don’t go and start crying that he was not like that when y’all started out. You did not give the relationship time to grow before y’all hopped in the sack to make Lil’ Jr. I know, because I did the same thing. I hopped first, before I got to know the other person. I now have a son, who means more to me then my own life. I receive no help from his mom whatsoever. I’m paying for my Lil’ bit of fun now. I’m not saying that parents should not help (money or other support) to raise the child. But, these women/men need to take personal responsibility for the fun they wanted. You wanted to sleep with that person; you made the decision about birth control (or lack of self control). I see it all the time. It’s all hugs and kisses in the beginning, but, when it comes time to actually put some effort into making a relationship work, they run the other way. Grow up and stop complaining. It’s not the government’s job to bail you out for “YOUR” decisions. It’s tough, I know firsthand. I don’t need the Sherriff’s department to help raise my son by chasing after his mom. I have to work extra hard because of “MY CHOICES”. It was my choice to not make the relationship work, it was my choice to not pursue his mom for money, it is my choice to give my son the best possible home I can. My child needs to understand that I’m there for him and that I love him for who he is. Not for what I can give him this week (new toy).
Would getting money from his mom help me out financially? Yup… but I feel it is not worth the hassle with his mom. So it’s my CHOICE.
October 9, 2008
8:54 a.m.Report inappropriate content
firesue. I was writing my post before I read yours. My post is directed to the writer of Tell Willie.
October 9, 2008
9:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
talk about responsibility, it takes two to make a baby so both should be resposible, not just one. There are just as many dead beat moms as there is dads. But in my case it's two men. I don't receive support for my son, which was my choice also. but my daughters dad pays a little and it doesn't even come close to what she's involved in.
I can understand where the person is coming from because sometimes you need that money to pay for daycare or whatever. Being a single mom is a little different from being a single dad. I know of several single dads and they didn't have a problem with money. Hello because they made more. Not trying to knock men here this is just what I've experienced. So don't think I'm man bashing!!!!!
October 9, 2008
9:47 a.m.Report inappropriate content
By the way this wasn't just a little bit of fun I was married to my sons dad and the second I was with for 5 years so this wasn't just one night stands!!! Didn't want people to think I was hoosie!!!!!
October 9, 2008
9:56 a.m.Report inappropriate content
sorry instead of hoosie it's hoozy
October 9, 2008
10:16 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree with the compliment to Mayor Chastain. I'm also delighted at the recent news coverage of more than 300 illegals being caught in Greenville County. Homeland Security/ICE buses hauled more than 300 out of state for deportation. Many will face charges for returning after prior deportation, and/or using or possessing fake identification. BRAVO!! We all know companies, farms, factories in Oconee and Pickens Counties that could use the same ICE treatment. We can praise a local mayor, and we can discuss with Willie and among ourselves what the tidal wave of illegal immigrants is doing to our schools, jails, welfare offices and unemployment rates for Americans. But we can do something more to solve the problem, and that's put tremendous pressure on our representatives who want another term in office. At the top of this column, Willie gave contact info for our senators and congressman. Barrett and Grahamnesty are running for reelection. Contact them. We have the same problem here, and need the same ICE raids here. Jane Dyer is opposing Barrett, so call her, too (that's not a plug for Dyer, but she is a candidate who needs to make her opinion public also). Ask her what she would do to get ICE enforcement in Oconee and Pickens if elected. We all know the employers ICE should investigate here. We need the same remedy here that Greenville County just received. THANK YOU, ICE!!
October 9, 2008
10:52 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I raised two children without the help of the father or the government. It can be done. But, I do think that the father or mother who is ordered to pay child support, should do so. It is their moral responsibility as a parent. I also know parents who receive support who do not use it for the children, but themselves. They work, make good money, have new significant others who live with them that are employed, get child support and still cannot make ends meet, due to their spending habits. They even get bent out of shape every time the support check is a little late, as if that was all that they had to pay their bills. What are they doing with the other income they receive? Spending it, and then acting like they will starve until the next "child support" check comes. Sometimes the parent who pays the support is sick, out of work, and other very real life things, that cause them not to pay on time, and not matter what they do, it is not enough. Bad situations can happen to both sides and unless you are realistic about it, it can turn into a battle. The most important thing to remember is the child needs love, food, education, and to know that both parents are part of their lives.
October 9, 2008
10:54 a.m.Report inappropriate content
They're only required to state ethanol percentages if over 10%. It's voluntary if 10% or less.
October 9, 2008
11:03 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Superduper, It matters little to me if there is a marriage or not. I’m in my 40’s and have never been married. (some might say, why buy the cow when the milk is free) I have had several serious relationships, but I could see problems that having a marriage could never improve. Great person… But, not someone I’m going to devote a lifetime to. I was not willing to work hard at the relationship.
My “choice” again.
My point is, the women can cross her legs and say NO which fixes the whole problem of being able to get pregnant. It is a choice to become intimate with another person. That choice has consequences in the form of Lil’ Bobby’s and Betty’s. They don’t ask to be here, they just show up.
If y’all don’t want to live up to the vows that are taken “till death do you part” then just keep the legs closed and the guys can keep their pants zipped. (problem solved) Instead people start thinking with their hips instead of their heads. Then they learn they really can’t stand the other person and the kids suffer. Mommy and Daddy are always fighting and yelling at each other. Then they want the government to come in and fix the problem that they caused for themselves. (my point is to many stupid people are making babies and only thinking of themselves) Once a Lil’ one is here it should be about them.
I’m not saying that people should not have to pay support. They should want to, to see that their child is cared for in their absents. To many people want the government to rescue them from their own stupidity and mistakes they have made.
October 9, 2008
11:05 a.m.Report inappropriate content
odj, I have seen that also.
October 9, 2008
11:49 a.m.Report inappropriate content
JMB, what happened to the guy keeping his pants zipped??? It's not always the woman who can say no!!!!!!!! I have never had any help from the goverment thank you but for those who really need it can't get it because it goes out to people who are not even trying. I have always worked no matter what the job or what it paid I WORKED!!!!
odj, yes you are right bad things do happen on both sides, but that still doesn't stop the child from eating or living. Example my daughters father moved across country recently and he quit his job here. Well I went a almost a year with no help what so ever. It wasn't the fact that I needed it, it's the fact that she belongs to him also he helped make her and he should have some type of repsonsibility. I don't need his money, but he should have to do his part because after all he didn't say no either!!!!
October 9, 2008
11:54 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Fly on the wall... it's (absence not absents) like your heart seems to be. Sounds like you have never really loved someone of the opposite sex. Mistakes are made by everyone some are more noticeable and cost more than others.Some mistakes carry a lifetime of payments.
Fathers who abandon their children do not deserve to be called "Father" any longer or even "Dad" those words have a very special meaning and should not be used when not deserved. If a man or women can't support and care for their kids they are just deadbeats!
October 9, 2008
noonReport inappropriate content
If a man or woman WON'T, not CAN'T, support their children, they are DEADBEATS.
October 9, 2008
12:08 p.m.Report inappropriate content
mountainman, THANK YOU!!!!! Well said.
October 9, 2008
12:11 p.m.Report inappropriate content
most of the time it's WON'T not CAN'T. If men or women are able enough to make the child then they are able enough to work and help support the child!!!
October 9, 2008
12:20 p.m.Report inappropriate content
In all of the discussion about keeping your legs crossed or your pants zipped, I'm somewhat suprised that no one has mentioned birth control. Babies are not a forgone conclusion of sex.
October 9, 2008
12:36 p.m.Report inappropriate content
legs being crossed and pants staying zipped is birth control haven't ever heard of saying NO! Isn't that what we teach our children before we go into gloves and pills.
October 9, 2008
12:38 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Thank you mountainman, for the correct spelling.
You may be right about the "loving someone" because I have not made that commitment in a relationship. Not saying that it's right or wrong. Just that I have never done that, yet...
I'm still young (wet behind the ears as some would say)
Super, I did say "and the guys can keep their pants zipped"
My postings are framed around the thought that some people always want the government to do what they should be doing themselves. Why? If the other person is so bad, were they with them? People need to talk to each other to get a better understanding of the other person’s personality before they hop in the sack. It’s about choices. We live with those decisions every day after that. I do not need nor want a judge to tell me how to raise my child. So I do the best I can to insure my son has a stable and loving environment to come home to each day.
October 9, 2008
3:49 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree with thlhjh76 ICE needs to come to Oconee, they would really rack up here!!!! Then we could take all those food stamps and Government help and give to the elderly CITIZENS who needs help.
October 9, 2008
4:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Abstinence-based Driver's Ed:
"I don't want my kid driving recklessly. I've taught him safety only, so he doesn't need a seat belt anymore."
October 10, 2008
9:29 a.m.Report inappropriate content
JMB,
First, I don't know how you can call yourself "young" and "wet behind the ears" when in an earlier post, you stated you were in your 40's. That ain't no spring chicken anymore, and I know because that's where I am too.
Second, as far as your other comments about knowing a person before you have a child with them, how about this: I dated my ex-husband for 6 years before we married. We both had steady jobs the whole time. Soon after our marriage, he was a shift supervisor at a local plant. I went back to school, finished college, and got a good job. 3 years into our marriage, we had a daughter. 10 years after that, he got involved with drugs, lost his job, and also had an affair. I divorced him. He's been out of work for the past 4 years (and in and out of jail) and I've received NO support from him during that entire time.
My point is this: You're remarks about knowing a person before you have a child with them doesn't always work. Been there, done that. I thought I knew the father of my child. At the time I did. He wasn't bad when we had a baby. We were married and both had jobs. But because of drugs, he turned into someone I didn't know anymore.
Your generalizations about single mothers dealing with deadbeat dads are ignorant and insulting.
October 10, 2008
9:49 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Non-Sequitur, he still needs a seat belt due to the fact that the other drivers may not drive safely (safety), and still ACCIDENT prone :)
October 10, 2008
9:53 a.m.Report inappropriate content
JMB...Wet behind the ears....I don't think so. You have a son. Lost the wetness at that point. Full Grown now.
October 13, 2008
3:06 p.m.Report inappropriate content
seniors that worked all their lives dont get any help