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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 went to my 50th class reunion a few weeks ago. There were about 75 people there. I have never seen so many conceited people. There might have been 10 friendly people. The food cost $35 per person, and I am sure it came from a grocery store deli. To all who did not come you did not miss a thing. God bless y’all!

Willie says:

Maybe you can have a mini-reunion next year with the 10 friendly people.

Willie,

Today I spent 20 minutes in the Seneca Library. On my way in I noticed five county employees from the county facilities maintenance department pressure washing the screens on their air conditioning units. Or rather, only one person was using the pressure washer and the other four were standing around with their hands in their pockets. On my way out, nothing had changed. Why were the four men there? Could they not be doing something useful somewhere else?

Willie says:

Maybe they were providing moral support to the guy doing the work.

Willie,

Can you find out why a person who graduated from high school last year was an eligible member of a Homecoming Court this year? But seems to me that prior graduation would eliminate someone from being a part of Homecoming Court.

Willie says:

Kay L. Powell, from the Office of School and Community Services for the School District of Oconee County just said, “Please contact the administrator of the school in question. The school administration can best answer your questions regarding this matter.”

Willie,

To the person that did not get to watch Clemson’s first game, if you have access to a computer with Internet you can watch it live for free on www.ESPN360.com. That is how I watched it.

Willie says:

Amazing! Let Willie know if it works, readers!

Willie,

I recently ran across a petition in a local convenience store supporting a bill to change the sentencing in regards to homicide by child abuse. This petition talked about how the current sentence is a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Willie, I was appalled to learn that a precious baby/child can be killed and the (person) convicted could only go to prison for 20 years! I signed this petition, as did many others, because I hope and pray that the law is changed so these (people) can be imprisoned for life for taking the lives of our innocent, helpless children! Please publish this so that others will know to contact their state representatives and ask for their support of this bill!

Willie says:

Hope this helps get your message out.

Willie,

I noticed “Vote for Hayes” and “Vote for Burdette” signs in Pendleton yards as a Nov. 10 election for mayor approaches. Apparently, the current mayor who had no competition four years ago wants a fourth four-year term while the newcomer, a local businessperson whose wife runs a popular restaurant at Farmers Hall, says he wants to give more residents a say and a choice. Pendleton has had no political scandals during the past 12 years, which is an accomplishment in the Upstate and is slowly improving its water lines. Maybe the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t? But the town does seem to operate in lock-step with the wishes of a few prominent people. You can’t help wondering if a fresh set of eyes and ideas for the next few years would help advance Pendleton and gain more support from all residents.

Willie says:

I’d say you sound undecided at this point.

Willie,

I’ve just got to speak my mind about people complaining about Oconee Medical Center. I have been there and had to wait long hours and then sometimes I have been taken back right away. All you hear is I should have gone to Anderson or Greenville. I have seen people in Anderson brought in an ambulance and put in wheelchairs for long waits, but at least at Oconee you aren’t put in a waiting room if you come in an ambulance. So, if you don’t like the doctors at Oconee, please do go somewhere else and leave Oconee to us, the ones who appreciate the doctors and staff at Oconee Medical so maybe we can get seen sooner.

Willie says:

If those who criticize Oconee ER did go away, the rest of us wouldn’t have them in line with us!

Willie,

With all the hype about health care, I have been wondering about the people who are out of work or just living from paycheck to paycheck. How will these folks pay insurance premiums for themselves, let alone their entire family? I personally don’t have health insurance, but am fortunately able to pay for my care. I start my day off with a cup of coffee and your column. Thank you so much. Love you, Willie.

Willie says:

You are certainly welcome! Willie is touched by your loyalty. A person who has no job/income and no other money saved up is probably without any health insurance right now, unless they are elderly or disabled and on a government plan. Even people who work and whose employers pay for part of their insurance are having trouble affording their co-pays as their hours are cut or they get no raise to keep up with rising costs.