Category Archives: Opinions
Courier Letters to the Editor 10-23-24
Thank you to AnMed Cannon ER
Dear Editor,
Our family would like to publicly thank the AnMed Cannon ER team for the exceptional care that we recently received.
The physicians, nursing staff and entire team provided professional, expert care and treatment during our visit.
Pickens and the surrounding area are very fortunate to have these medical professionals and facilities nearby.
Also, to the experienced and proficient Pickens County EMS team-staff at 911 and paramedics, our many thanks.
Jill Smith
Pickens
Open letter to Pickens city officials
Dear Editor,
The city of Pickens has had two very important issues under consideration for several months and is progressing toward decisions on each. Both issues concern a 215-acre property bounded by Wolf Creek Road and Mauldin Lake Road.
First, the city must decide whether to annex the property. Second, if annexed, the city must
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Compassion of the community
Like you, I did not have dealing with a tropical storm disaster on my 2024 bingo card.
I am fortunate in that I have a unique vantage point serving our community. I had people 
reaching out in need. Unsurprisingly with our community, I had more reaching out asking how they could help. As early
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We pray, we vote, and we leave the rest to God
To be honest, I do not like politics, but at the same time I believe it’s my duty and opportunity to vote not the way a party says, but according to what God says.
My thoughts about elections, especially presidential terms, is that it’s not one person governing the country. A president is a front person, with thousands of power players in the background putting our fires and avoiding problems. The corrupt deals, kickbacks and cover-
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Blessed are the peacemakers
In Matthew 5:9, we read, “Blessed are the peacemakers; God shall call them His sons.”
This statement is so familiar to us, and like all things familiar, we tend to take them at face value 
without considering their import. But, if we do take a moment to reflect, the statement reveals that God values and loves peace. And he promises a reward
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Liar, liar, pants on fire
The chant heard on playgrounds around the world contains an additional tribute to that most infamous liar of all, Pinocchio. “Liar, liar, pants on fire, nose as long as a telephone wire.”
Winston Churchill once said “a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
In 1691, it was a crime to tell a lie or spread false news in
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Courier Letters to the Editor 10-16-24
Forum set for Pickens candidates
Dear Editor,
There are eight candidates running for two vacancies for Pickens City Council. On Thursday, Oct. 24, there will be a moderated candidate forum at Café Connections on Main Street from 7-8:30 p.m.
Why should you care about the Pickens City Council election?
While only Pickens city residents — those within the city limits — can vote for city council, the impact affects MANY others.
If you live in the city limits, you really should attend so you can make an educated vote this Nov.
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We ignore our need to change
Transformation is a word used to explain what happens when someone is saved. It’s the theme of the Christian faith, but what about the daily progression of our relationship with God?
Many today think the idea of changing into the image of Jesus no longer applies to them because they go to church and listen to Christian songs on
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Don’t mess with Mother Nature
Don’t mess with Mother Nature — and never underestimate the power of a hurricane. By the time Hurricane Helene hit the Upstate, although downgraded to a tropical storm, she was still 
powerful enough to cause flooding and take down trees and power lines, making us powerless.
Scientists have been trying to control the weather for centuries. Everything from rain making to lightning squelching, hurricane snuffing, fog lifting, frost smothering and hail pelting. Melt that
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Courier Letters to the Editor 10-9-24
Hurricane help from local citizens
Dear Editor,
Since early last Friday morning, I have seen some of the best from our Pickens County residents. As I traveled to work through many detours, I saw local heroes out cutting trees and placing warning cones at intersections without power. Highway 123 coming out of Clemson was at a standstill, with a pine tree that had fallen over the entire eastbound lane. I was heading toward Clemson and was getting ready to stop and offer help when I saw a man cutting up the tree as his truck was pulled into the median with hazard lights on. I was stopping to get out and help remove the sections of the tree from the highway when I saw four or five people getting out of their cars that were eastbound to offer assistance.
On Sunday, I took some gas to a friend in the Dacusville area for their generator and saw a
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The dynamic relationship between love and prayer
Last Sunday, I was asked to bring the morning sermon for a wonderful church in the country called Mt. Lebanon Methodist.
I had a dream recently about delivering a message and when I awoke, I went I into my office and asked God to please not let it dissipate before I could write down as much of it as I could remember. Dreams are like the morning fog that fades when the sun comes out. I was noticeably rattled and was typing feverishly. How many know
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