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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,

About the 74 million dollar tax mistake we citizens of Oconee have been charged. They threaten to sell our property and add ridiculous penalties to our bill when some of us such as myself have a hard time getting our taxes paid. I do, though, always get them paid. I say let them wiggle and squirm a little. I think it is funny when the shoe’s on the other foot and they might have to pay it back. Let’s auction off the tax office and get us good citizens’ money back.

And …

Willie,

Thank you Greg Nowell for looking out for the taxpayers of Oconee County. I think the auditor and the finance director should be placed on suspension until the pending investigation is completed.

Willie says:

Whoa there, partner. No one has been found guilty … not yet. Mr. Nowell saw something that bothered him, didn’t get an answer from other officials that he deemed satisfactory so he went public and called the state for a look-see. My friends at the paper tell me the state will only rule on whether anything illegal took place; not whether collecting all the money was proper or not. If it was legal then this could be either a misunderstanding by Mr. Nowell or a big old tax and spend extravaganza on the part of the county. Bet you know where Willie’s putting his money.

Willie,

Well, on the first day of school, Razorback Lane was a nightmare as usual. The police showed up around 7:30 a.m. after traffic was already backed up past Sertoma Field. And then, they only stayed there for about 15 minutes and were gone again whether there was traffic there or not! And I’ve never been able to understand why people can’t be a little more considerate of others. If you’re at Walhalla Middle School — tighten up! Get close to the car in front of you instead of leaving two car lengths! That way, those poor souls that are still sitting out on Catherine Street (waiting on somebody to come direct traffic) can get onto Razorback Lane. If you’re at the high school and you’ve already dropped your child off, move! Pull to the left and get out of the traffic flow so that other people can pull up to the sidewalk and drop their children off.

Willie says:

Good pointers.

Willie,

It’s a say day when your doctor is closing his doors to move. He’s not letting any of us, his patients, know what is going to happen to us. He will tell you, “Oh, I’m thinking about staying,” but it’s a big lie. OMC has bought his building and is ready for him to get lost. So, goodbye.

Willie says:

Losing a doctor you trust and depend on can be a very upsetting experience. If you don’t know a doctor you can switch to in the area of care you need, call OMC and ask for a recommendation.

Willie,

Thank you, Willie! People read your column and sometimes things we complain about actually do get fixed. I’ve tried for several years to get a left turn light installed at the intersection of Hwy. 123 and 183 to make it safer for school traffic. I contacted my school board member, DOT and my S.C House members; all either ignored me or told me to contact someone else. You published my concerns and this school year, we have a left turn light!

Willie says:

Willie sure would like to take credit for this good news, but it really proves what I’ve always believed about the power of a free press.

Willie,

Should Walgreens, BB&T, Oconee Federal, Musician’s Den/Chiropractor building, Wachovia and the Welcome to Seneca area at Ingles have sprinklers on in the drought conditions? Especially when most of the water is not on the grass, but on 123? I drive to work at 5:15 a.m. All of these are on every morning. I appreciate getting my windshield washed, but would rather conserve water for drinking, cooking and bathing!

Willie says:

Commercial establishments should make sure their sprinklers are directed on “green” things, not roads, to conserve every drop. They should also water the minimum possible to sustain the vegetation. Water restrictions are not mandatory in Seneca — yet.

Willie,

I just read one person’s comments about smoking wherever they want to regardless of the laws or other people’s wishes. I’ve got news for him or her. Try that around me and a fine will be the least of your worries. People that rude can always be put in their place and I’m probably just the man to do it. Smoke around me or my family when the sign says “No Smoking” and I’ll toss you out if I have to myself. Bring it on, smokers! Bring it on!

Willie says:

Another voice heard from on this “hot” topic. Them thar’s fighting words if I ever heard ’em. My next two readers agree with you.

Willie,

These pro-smokers need a reality check, or have they just decided to turn a blind eye to its harmful effects? They are tired of non-smokers pushing to keep smoking legal all over? Gimme a break. Smoking is a life choice. I really don’t give a crap if you decide to kill yourself, but for crying out loud, think of others! Ten years ago I lost a friend to cancer caused by second hand smoke.

If you think excess perfume or cologne is just as bad, then go to your local lawmakers. I mean c’mon, I’d like to run around naked because I like and it feels good, but that doesn’t mean I should (and don’t) subject others. Your rights, my dear fellow Americans, are far more lenient than you can possibly comprehend. Be thankful for the ones you have. Oh wait, due to lack of support for a new library, progression is at a standstill.

And …

Willie,

In response to the person asserting their “rights” as a smoker, I am reminded of an old truth — “A person’s right to swing their arm ends at the tip of another person’s nose.” Period!

Willie says:

Willie broke his nose once, but it wasn’t a swinging arm, it was a stationary pole! Lesson learned: Don’t run in a dark basement.

Willie,

I hope the late night judge (jury) sleeps well after letting the mighty Sheriff off the hook. Wonder why we plain folks don’t trust the legal system? I know the lawyers will sleep well. They are used to this under the table kind of legal philandering. I hope I never need a lawyer because I could never put up with their suggestions to get around the laws. I, for one, do not believe this mess came out the right way, but I do know that money talks louder than truth.

And …

Willie,

I had a small stroke about a year ago. I didn’t steal stuff from Wal-Mart. I have some other health problems too, but I still know it’s against the law. Sheriff is a cop. He knows the law and he should at least take responsibility for his actions. He was trained and studied the law; there is no excuse for being a thief. I am going to Wal-Mart to steal a digital camera, too. I bet I get arrested and I bet I go to jail. Why, you ask? Cause I’m not a cop. Get real.

And …

Willie,

Commenting on the dismissal of shoplifting charges against Police Chief Stanley Sheriff you say: “That’s the way the system works” and you are absolutely right. But don’t be surprised if new business looks twice before locating here. This sort of thing does not go unnoticed.

Willie says:

Almost everyone has an opinion on this situation — one way or the other.

Willie,

I am a professor at Clemson and I have to write to clarify a couple of things that people have been arguing about “arrogant” professors. First, the vast majority of professors I know not only don’t consider students to be bothersome, but rather a life-blood of everything they do. I know my time in the classroom is my favorite part of the job. I sincerely don’t think that is a major issue for most professors at Clemson.

Second, I have to hope we never truly get to the point that students are actually customers in search of a product. I understand the analogy and respect that a decent portion of my paycheck comes from tuition, but when a student argues that we are expecting too much from them, I certainly hope we don’t revert back to the motto that “the customer is always right.”

Finally, about the parking situation, it is bad regardless of who you are. Faculty circle and circle and then go home, but students miss class for similar reasons. Without students, there is no faculty; without faculty, there are no students. There is no need to divide people on issues such as parking. Instead, we should try to fix problems as best we can to make the collegiate experience as best as possible.

Willie says:

You are so right. Students and faculty are on the same team with the goal of making sure each student receives the best education he or she can get. The powers that control such matters as parking need to listen and find a solution for the whole Clemson family.