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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,

I find it disturbing that an administrator for our county has to be hired from Lexington at a rate of $70 an hour plus mileage for a round trip of about 300 miles. Is there no one in the whole of our county that can perform this job? Does the council even look from within? How about someone with experience with our county and its needs. A resident of and from this county would understand and care a whole lot more than a person that knows nothing about our area.

Willie says:

The sooner we get a county administrator hired the better.

Willie,

I know the county school board folks are still trying to decide on the location(s) for the new Walhalla High School. Since it’s already been decided to fund Salem High to expand, then the location up on Hwy. 11 shouldn’t be considered a place to build. One place I’ve noticed would fit is on Hwy. 28/Hwy. 11 beside the Chevy dealership. That would fit the need being a city surrounding of 5-6 mile radius for transportation to school. Just a thought …

Willie says:

How would a school on that road affect traffic flow what with busses, busses everywhere twice a day?

Willie,

My 75-year-old mother just received a certified letter from Pamela Edwards/Oconee Physician Practices informing her she has been dismissed as a patient and further saying no practice in OPP will take her on as a patient. This is the result of OPP taking over every private practice and doctor in Oconee County. This is a direct abuse by Dr. Lemon of what was a fabulous practice started by Dr. MacDonald on Ramcat Alley, Cornerstone. The practice continued under Daniel Smith, due to his wonderful NPs, Tracy Smith and Lisa Purcell, which both were driven away by Dr. Smith letting the office become a part of OMH System. For the last few times we were in the office, it was like a ghost town with a few unfamiliar faces and a new doctor, Lemon. We were treated rudely, had good meds thrown away by his hand, conveniently in his trash can, makes you wonder? My mother now needs those meds and they would not call in after she was a patient for over 10 years saying they had

to see her. I am her only form of transportation and I am disabled also. After trying to explain this to his nurse, he grabbed the phone from her and said we could pick up our records. I told him where he could put them! On the previous visit, he looked at me and said that’s what you’re going to be like in 30 years, insulting me and my lovely mother, referring to her health and mental conditions. As we were leaving, he waved her prescription for the pain medication Loratab and this is what you were after, writing it for five refills? Then why did he say they could not call in one refill and they had to see her every three months? It’s all about getting those overcharged

Medicare payments going back to OPP, which is all about the money, not the patient that has had two hip replacements, a broken arm, back disc problems and arthritis. Not to bring up the other 17 meds prescribed by that office. Instead, we are talked to like druggies trying to get their next fix. My wonderful mother stood on concrete floors in a cotton mill for over 25 years, lost her son at 40 to a heart attack, spent 8 hours a day with my veteran father in a nursing home for 13 years and what has Dr. Lemon done? Turned away a patient that was there at the opening of the office that along now with this Oconee Physician Practices pays his bills for being … no nice words come to mind. Well, as my mother said, “you know he would make a better vet.” All I could say is you are right, mama.

Willie says:

Vice President of Operations Hunter Kome wrote back from Oconee Medical Center, “You did not mention what the certified letter says, but I’m sure it explains the reason for the practice to take such a serious step. If your mother would like to speak with someone about the way she was treated, she can call patient relations at (864) 885.7302. As for Oconee Physician Practices, the organization employs about 30 of the roughly 100 doctors who practice in our community. There are still numerous private practices where your mother can make an appointment.”

Willie,

I have been reading in your column about bad sportsmanship. I wanted to make a positive comment about something I saw Friday night after Walhalla won over Liberty. My son plays varsity and you wouldn’t believe the things that are said and done off the field, but through it all, this picture says it all. This sight brings tears to my eyes with pride for our schools and coaches.

Willie says:

Although Willie does not print readers’ pictures in my column, you are right about the picture you sent me bringing tears. When teams — players and coaches — that have just been trying to beat one another as adversaries during the game can kneel down, bow their heads and say a post-game prayer together, you know they are learning lasting values and good sportsmanship.

Willie,

I know you said that the fire issue was one to go to the fire commissioners, but I disagree. People outside the district I live in need to know what is going on. The trucks you see all around the county and outside our county on a daily basis are being funded by more than the tax dollars in our fire district. No need to lie, there is a big waste in the Keowee Fire District. Many are unhappy that promises have been made and that is not right! Now they are backpeddling on our tax millage. County Council, please put a stop to this because no one is listening.

Willie says:
Brandon Shirley, Asst. Chief of the Keowee Fire Department gave us this official response to my reader: “The Keowee Fire Department strives to provide the best fire protection and the highest customer service while understanding that we have a fiduciary responsibility to operate within the 14.5 millage set forth in our ordinance, which was voted on and established by the people in our district. To date we have consistently operated under the set forth millage and have always come in under our anticipated budget. Recognizing that we are a fully-staffed fire station, our operation does occasionally require us to travel into nearby towns to pay bills, buy groceries, attend local and state meetings, and also respond to assist our neighboring stations on emergency calls. Our Annual Open House on Oct. 10 brought out approximately 300 people to tour our operation, attend fire extinguisher classes, witness a vehicle extrication, sprinkler demonstration, and ask questions about how their tax dollars are spent. To our knowledge, we didn’t receive any negative feedback. Anonymous complaints and vague statements carry no significance within our organization. The Keowee Fire Commission welcomes your comments and provides a venue for that at their public meeting held the 2nd Monday of each month at 3 p.m. The Fire Chief also welcomes your comments Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Fire Station or by e-mail at KeoweeFire@bellsouth.net.”

Willie,

The Journal featured an article about “Twitter’s billion dollar baby.”

Does this “Internet’s most popular communication tool” prohibit hard copies of how they communicate? Are we just supposed to know? Do we have to invest in electronic media now to find out what this “tool” is like?

Willie says:

I’d tweet you with the answer, but I don’t have any idea how.

Willie,

I was wondering if you could find out how Becky Gerrard got off so easily on this felony charge. Just a slap on the hand. It is laughable what the good old boy and girl system and a little money can do to get you out of these situations.

Willie says:

You’re probably not alone in those feelings. The fact is, she lost her job

on top of the fine and probation she received. Add to that the public

humiliation and if it’s revenge you want, you probably have it. The reality

is, our jails and prisons are too full already with people far more

dangerous than the former magistrate. The penalty was probably fitting.

Comments contained in the Tell Willie column are not intended to reflect the views of management or staff of The Journal. They are the opinions of readers who have submitted Willie items. The Journal makes no guarantee of the accuracy of comments contained in Tell Willie. As for the answers, Ol' Willie does his best to get it right.