Category Archives: Opinions
DHEC and death certificates
When I die, I expect friends, acquaintances and perhaps strangers to ask a common question: “How did he die?”
The answer to that question for all persons who die in South Carolina is recorded on an official state 
record — a death certificate. If a death is attended by a physician, the physician states the manner and cause of death on an official form. If the death is unattended by a physician, the manner and cause of death is recorded by a coroner or a medical examiner.
Those forms must be forwarded by the physician or coroner to the embalmer or funeral director taking possession of the body, and this information is to be included in a death certificate that is filed by the
Letters to the Editor 5-6-20
Supporting Gravely for council seat
Dear Editor,
I’m the owner of small business LaRue Fine Chocolate and a lifelong resident of Pickens County. I’m not usually a letter to the editor writer, but the upcoming Pickens County Council District 3 race has me pretty excited.
I think now more than ever it is important to elect officials who actually care about their constituents and understand that they are our public servant and should always selflessly put aside their ego and their best interest to serve the interest of the community.
For years in District 3, we’ve been shuffling through the same people running the same campaigns. The current incumbent has never risen to the challenge of the office. And Alex Saitta, whose name is printed on the “Opinion” page more than most, may have a new campaign “look,” but he’s the same
Recollections and ruminations
Before I go into my weekly coronavirus commentary, I want to pay homage to a man named Percy Sledge, whom I was fortunate enough to have worked for briefly back in the day. This month marks 
the five-year anniversary of his death.
Some of you Millennials and Gen Z’ers out there may not have any idea who I’m talking about, but I’m guessing that most of you remember a song called “When a Man Loves a Woman.” That was Percy’s biggest hit — and really his only one — but it was a classic. He was able to make a career out of that one song, which is pretty fascinating to me.
It rose to the top of the charts worldwide in 1966, and by the time I crossed paths with him 10 years later, he was still singing it with as much passion as ever. He
Coronavirus doesn’t quarantine scammers
It doesn’t take much for scammers to find new ways of conning us. Now, with the country on edge fighting this invisible virus enemy, the thieves have gotten even more creative and the scams are 
more targeted.
What they want most from us is what they always want: personal information and money.
With relief checks going out to millions of Americans, the crooks are cashing in by sending email or calling to say you qualify for a coronavirus grant, and that they can help you get it. What they want
The lord of the harvest
As this year has been different than any we have known, I hope you have found a way to make it one of the most meaningful and personal spiritual experiences with God ever.
As the darkness of winter fades and the light of spring emerges, we miss our time of being together, but we can still read, study and worship God, as we take advantage of this time to enjoy His presence.
We recently remembered Good Friday as the day our Lord was scourged, tortured, humiliated and was crucified for those who would believe. What a demonstration of love, as His sacrifice became the only
Planting in honor of Uncle Jack
It’s best we avoid the news, although we do check in once in the morning and once in the evening for weather and to make sure we’re not in a world war. We’ll get the alert on our phones in case of 
tornadoes, and we can’t do anything about that, either. It’s time to focus on positive things.
For the last two weeks, I’ve been dreaming of eating a ripe cantaloupe. So, on a note of hope, I paged through the Burpee seed catalog and decided to order some Ambrosia cantaloupe seeds. Now, Ambrosia seeds are expensive. I bought 32 seeds for $6.
But if even half of them come up and get the right kind
A bigger picture?
Sometime between 3:30 and 4 a.m. on the night after Easter Sunday, a miraculous thing happened, or so it seemed.
Kathy and I were huddled in the basement watching the weather radar on my phone as a menacing red line of violent, tornado-laden thunderstorms approached Easley from the west. It was a vertical line of destruction, heading right toward us.
As it got closer, though, it split in two, with one segment moving to the north of us and the other passing by to the south.
We were safe! God had heard our prayers.
But wait. What about those people who lived farther to the north and south of us, those who weren’t in the path of the storm until our prayers sent the hostile winds in their
Courier Letters to the Editor 4-22-20
Importance of upcoming local election
Dear Editor,
The upcoming local elections are important to each of us, and thank you for writing about them. For County Council District 3 (Pickens), Alex Saitta has a genuine interest in keeping Pickens County the great county that we all know and love. He has the financial background to get the most from our tax dollars and to help not only the public, but other council members understand the complex financial issues the council will face. I have observed that in many meetings, Councilman Wes
The good and the bad of corona quarantine
Coronavirus diary, week 4:
So, we’re a month in, and the virus has not yet directly touched anyone I know — at least not that I’m aware of. But there are still many uncertainties about how long this will last, and how many people it will eventually infect — and kill — right here in Pickens County.
Maybe we’ll be lucky and have no deaths here. Or maybe I won’t be around to write the conclusion of this pandemic.
My mom’s coronavirus test came back negative, so that was good. She’s doing remarkably well for a 94-year-old woman who had a
Letters to the Editor 4-15-20
Be a part of that hope
Dear Editor,
Ever felt out of heart to the point of giving up? Yes, haven’t we all?
No matter how bad we have it, though, in life, there’s always someone who has it at least a little bit worse, if not more.
I have been furloughed for 30 days. I’m not complaining, though. I have sometimes in times past complained when I really shouldn’t have. I’ve complain about my feet hurting and about being tired all of the time. Although I’ve been furloughed, I’ll be retiring in five months and am looking forward
