I have always found it strange that Ms. Threatt's son's name seems to never appear on the front page with all the other drug related arrests. I have noticed this has been the case several times.If it is printed at all, it will be several pages into the paper. I can understand that it be quite embarressing for your child to be arrested, but all those arrested are someone's children. Shouldn't every parent be spared the embarressment as Ms. Threatt? I also find it quite odd that she is allowed to print in her column her personal family problems. How does she manage to keep this job and be so unprofessional?
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bonnie lill
8/29/2011 06:26:05 am
and bonnie lil is more concerned with a headline than the truth. someone reported the other day about a story shge ran last year that turned out to not even to have happened.
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to just wondering
8/29/2011 06:29:44 am
I totally agree she didn't have a problem putting the other names in the paper including an employees husband. If she has that right everyone else should be given the option. I'm sure her family affairs are also one sided. It takes a classy woman to run her family's name in the ground.
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livin' on a prayer
8/30/2011 12:52:32 am
I posted the information about the "accident" that never occurred last year. It sickens me that when I called Bonnie Lil the only thing she was concerned with was my name and why did I feel it necessary to "look into the matter". She told me in not so many words that a follow-up would not generally occur without my identity being revealed. What kind of journalism/reporting/editing is that? I wouldn't have paid much attention to the story except that credit was being given to a young man that supposedly witnessed an accident that involved the deaths of small children. He supposedly cradled one of the children in his arms as they died. It outrages me to this day that the story was NEVER recanted. It was ALL LIES. Rest assured that SOMEONE cradled a baby as it died that day but it didn't happen in Goreville, IL or to this young man on that day either. It was such an easy story to fact-check that I had to question the morality of the officials in this community when NO ONE made a correction to that story when I brought it to their attention. It is not okay to lie to an ENTIRE county. Sloppy journalism/reporting and I will never read SHT for reliable information again. It might as well be just another tabloid!
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must see this one from the great SHT people
8/30/2011 04:54:37 am
This time last year an article was blasted on the front page of SHT. The article was about a Hero who witnessed a horrific accident that involved the deaths of young children in Goreville, IL. The story was near unbelievable, so I researched it. The story was NOT true. In fact, knowing what I know now, it should never have been published. It didn't take rocket science to uncover the truth and SHT should be embarrassed. See, I called SHT, but because I wouldn't reveal my identity they didn't do anything. The only thing they wanted to know was what my name was and why I would look for more information on the story. Seriously! They didn't even call the sheriff's office in Goreville, IL for confimation of the facts I was providing. It was easier to ignore me. Well, I didn't let it rest there. I sent a letter to The Leaf Chronicle, SHT (both addresses), and the Mayor asking to recant the story because as responsible journalists they owed that to the community. Still no response. I let it rest because I have since learned that in this town you only know what a handful of officials want you to know. That's why I'm sharing my story here. I'm hoping it's like a megaphone to the community. I won't however, be ANYONE'S target and therefore I will not share my name.
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research
8/30/2011 05:03:37 am
lets find ths article and take it to the times for an explanation. we are not just slinging mud here we want answers to all this
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drinking at 8 am
8/30/2011 05:04:56 am
who is it that is smelling heavy of alcohol at papa rock several mornings before 8 am. could it be the editors husband
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Livin' on a prayer
8/30/2011 11:43:36 am
i have copy of that article and a copy of the letter I sent to the The Leaf Chronicle and the SHT. I can post both here but it would be quite lengthy.
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livin' on a prayer
8/30/2011 11:05:47 pm
Here is the copy of the letter I sent to the SHT and TLC (HA! Is there some irony there or is it just me?):)
October 27, 2010
Shame on you, Stewart Houston Times and The Leaf Chronicle. I called both of your papers and informed you that a story that headlined the Stewart Houston Times on October 12, 2010 was more than just a little suspicious. Still, neither paper has informed the communities affected that the story is less than credible.
The story was titled Heroism Hits Close to Home and quite frankly, is not true. I contacted the Sheriff's Office of Goreville, IL, spoke with a woman named Debbie, who confirmed that an accident involving the deaths of three people and five injuries never occurred in or around Goreville, IL on October 4, 2010. Ethan Newman has a great program (PAYD) without the undeserving attention brought to him by this horrific LIE! There has been enough real life tragedy occur to REAL families in Stewart County without having to make up a story about being a 'life saver'.
This story was reported to two separate counties by way of newspaper, never mind how many readers saw it online. The article sites 'an online news source' crediting Newman with saving the life of a little girl. That didn't happen because there was not a little girl to be saved. He did not place a deceased little boy on blankets from his car and a little girl did not wave and smile at him from an SUV on I24 that moments later was involved in a head on collision. The article is written based solely on Mr. Newman's word and an online article written by Tim Williamson.
Since when is it okay to report news to the general public without ANY research? This story was not picked up by any media outlet except for a web site called realnews.com. At that site you will find the only article (minus the Stewart Houston Times article) about this story. This story never attracted attention from ANY Illinois news agency. Not one single newspaper, or television news program picked up and reported this story. Obituaries or additional stories about the deceased cannot be found. Why? Because the story was made up. It is not okay to deceive an entire community and its not okay for those who know this to be deception to enable the lie by not coming forward.
The article also notes that the incident has left Mr. Newman 'emotionally wounded' but that his Christian Faith is helping him heal. I don't even want to start on the reasons why this comment should have been omitted from the article all together.
The communities of Stewart County and Houston County depend on the local paper for accurate reporting. It may be the only source of news for many of the residents and they certainly are deserving of more responsible journalism. There are true Heroes all over our communities. Do we really have to make one up?
Stewart County Resident
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all i can say...
8/31/2011 05:14:35 am
wow. this is unreal. If this is teue and looks like the writer did their research, then what else has the times printed over the years that were not fact based. I am amazed at all this
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Too Funny
9/1/2011 02:22:32 am
I have called the paper a couple times and ask them to come and make some pictures of a event and do a article on it. I was told "you can take the pictures and write a article, we'll print it if we think it's worth printing." Excuse me! Our son graduated and we put his picture and a verse-Guess what..the picture was there but the verse wasn't. It said "congrats-we love you" That's fine, but that it not what I wanted it to say..it cost me $20!
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unreal
9/2/2011 02:52:28 am
This is totaly unreal and unacceptable from a newspaper.Their stories and articles from now on will have no merrit to me. Everyone email this to gannett as they own all the papers arounbd here including the SHT and The Leaf Comical
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report this
9/2/2011 03:06:58 am
HEADQUARTERS
Gannett Co., Inc.
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107-0150
703-854-6000
PRESS CONTACTS
Robin Pence
Vice President/Corporate Communications
Gannett Co., Inc.
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107-0150
703-854-6089
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Livin' on a prayer
9/2/2011 10:46:33 am
Thank You! I WILL be using that information from 'report this'!
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IF THEY DO NOT ANSWER
9/7/2011 03:43:50 am
wow. i AM NOW WAITING TO SEE IF THE STEWART HOUSTON TIMES RESPOND. i WILL REFUSE TO VISIT ANY BUSINESS THAT ADVERTISES WITH THIS PAPER TILL THEY SHARE THEIR SIDE OF THIS STORY. i AM STARTING AN ALL OUT BAN ON ANYONE THAT PLACES AN AD IN THIS PAPER
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here we go again
9/19/2011 01:20:33 am
so this is a merry go round and the times is a big part of it. i agree answer all the issues not just ones that might take heat away from you and your paper
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where is the answer
9/19/2011 09:50:13 pm
We now have an idea of what the times is doing. respond when they feel like it and ignore and hope the rest goes away. well i am not going away. is a boycott of this one in order also.
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nice....
9/28/2011 02:35:36 am
Got the update on the sht not answering. I for one have no use for them anymore. they are no better than punk journalists
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why....
9/28/2011 09:58:03 pm
If they did nothing wrong why dont they just come out and explain. guilty by association
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Thank You
10/5/2011 08:48:47 pm
This really opens my eyes. I notice how once again unless you tell us who you are we dont have to give answers or be accountable. I read this entire thread and the same thing was said to the original person who uncovered this lie
SHAME SHAME STEWART TIMES
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lol
10/12/2011 12:12:40 pm
it really is funny how everyone is so bored so they make stuff up. these rumors are hilarious. dover is not as bad as you all say. if you dont like it get out.
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livin on a prayer
10/12/2011 11:49:07 pm
*lol*, pardon me, but what part of this blog do you think is 'made up'? What rumors are you referring to that pertain to THIS particular thread?
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livin on a prayer
10/13/2011 12:21:36 am
Because this information is now about a year old I just called the Goreville Sheriff's office again. Lucky me I was able to speak with the same person I spoke with a year ago. I was just informed that the SHT has also made a phone call to the Sheriff's office and received confirmation that this accident NEVER happened. The Goreville Sheriff himself spoke with a male representative at the paper and told him that the information was not true. So why now, with all this information, is it necessary to know my name? How about the SHT has the Sheriff's name and is welcome to use his. The Goreville Sheriff's name is Elry Faulkner and a number to confirm this information is 618-658-8264. How about a recant and an apology now SHT?
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livin on a prayer
10/14/2011 07:21:19 am
Mr. Hicks,
As the newly appointed editor of the Stewart Houston Times, I do sincerely hope that you have or will, review this thread. Please consider recanting and apologizing to the citizens of the two counties this story affected. You have nothing to lose and all the credibility already lost to gain back. Thank you.
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Get a life
10/16/2011 04:50:45 pm
If you truly believe in something then why not go to the person or persons involved first? What a boring life you must lead to have all this free time. If you are as truthful as you claim then own it and don't hide behind an anon name? Stand up for what you believe in. As I know you are going to ask, yes I'm not posting my name because I don't care. It's not for me to judge another person. If I was this outraged, believe me I have been about alot of issues, I stand behind what I say and I own it. Make no mistake, I confront the person or persons... All by myself!
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livin on a prayer
10/17/2011 03:30:48 am
Here we go again. I simply read a story that involved the deaths of small children that was without merit. I called the Goreville sheriff's office and found out it was a lie. I then informed both The Leaf Chronicle and the SHT, to no avail. They BOTH turned a blind eye. Is there someone else you would like me to confront. I did the job that SHT should have done. I didn't write the story, I outed it. If concern about the deaths of small children is a boring life and too much time on my hands then guilty as charged. I find it amusing that there is more concern for the fact that I remain anonymous than there is for the fact that a sick story (that was a lie) was blasted on the front page of our newspaper. There is not anymore information about that story that I can provide for ANYONE to find out on their own that it was a lie. I have provided the sheriff's name and telephone number. He's expecting calls from Stewart County and will be happy to tell ANYONE that the accident didn't occur. I don't have to "own it". It was not MY lie.
PS I will consider giving my name just as soon as the SHT agrees to apologize to the communities that it lied to. Front Page, the same as the original story.
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livin on a prayer
10/17/2011 03:45:16 am
Oh wait, there is one more bit of information I have. The Fire Chief's name is NOT Michael Westberg, as reported. The Fire Chief's name is Tim Gage. He's been the Fire Chief for 30 some years.
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to get a life
10/23/2011 11:08:40 pm
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to get a life
10/23/2011 11:10:26 pm
please reread what you posted as it really doesnt make much sense. stand up quit lieing and leave your name is what you say...then you say i am not leaving my name as i dont jusge,,,,,i beg your pardon but all your blogs are about judgeing. you seem to be a hyprocite
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i called
10/24/2011 03:51:32 am
I took the advice and just for fun called and sure enough it is the people the blogger named and they did say there never was such a tragedy in Goreville Illinois.
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i called also
10/24/2011 11:56:24 pm
Just got off the phone with goreville illinouis. yes this story eas not true. i was also told they have had over 30 calls in the last 2 days. seems the SHT has now been verified to have ran a false story. i demand a response
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just called
10/25/2011 03:15:42 am
Wow. they told me not only did the story not happen but the SHT called them also. The question is when did they call them before or after. Why do they not just come out and tell the truth and move on.
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read the paper today
10/31/2011 11:12:54 pm
they have recanted the story of Goreville. Now they need to fire the reporter
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liar liar pants on fire
10/31/2011 11:24:19 pm
sooooo the reporter did run a false story? wow i also want to know why she still have a job.
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hahahhahah
11/2/2011 12:51:57 am
they have caught you mrs lill. more to come i have heard
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livin on a prayer
11/2/2011 01:23:24 am
Mr. Hicks,
Thank you so very much for accepting responsibility for the erroneous report ran in the Stewart Houston Times in Oct. 2010. I do hope that you can gain back from your readers some or all of the credibility that has been lost. To the person who told me to "get a life", I have one, and it's freaking AMAZING!!!! :)
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livin on a prayer
11/2/2011 05:47:08 am
Mr. Hicks,
Thank you for being a stand up guy and accepting responsibility for the erroneous story that ran in Oct. 2010. I sincerely hope that your retraction helps restore some credibility that may have been lost over the course of the last year.
To the person who said I need to "get a life". I have one and it's pretty Freaking Amazing!!!!
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Kurt Lill
11/3/2011 11:07:53 pm
Of late there have been many postings on your website attacking my wife, Bonnie’s, integrity. I would like to state for the record that anyone who would post this kind of nonsense and choose to remain anonymous has no integrity! John Hancock, one of the signers of our Constitution, once said, “Anonymity demonstrates a lack of integrity.” Perhaps that is why his signature is so large on the Constitution.
Bonnie graduated college Suma Cum Laude with a double major in 3 ½ years which, judging by your sentence structure, punctuation and spelling, you did not. She also has the integrity to put her name on whatever she puts in the newspaper, which is more than I can say for you.
There are obviously many things that you do not know regarding the newspaper business, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling among them.
First of all, when you have a weekly two-county newspaper consisting on average of 4 to 4 ½ people to cover two counties, reporters and other staff members spend on average 50 – 60 hours per week covering the meetings and events in the community.
So while you are spending time with your family, they are busy covering all of these, some of which tie up part of their weekend as well. All of the local parades, festivals, graduations, etc., that you are enjoying with family and friends, they are busy taking pictures of, gathering names and information about, all so they can write a “feature article” for the next edition and you can see “little Billy’s” picture in the paper next week.
Sandwiched in between all that, when they are in the office, they are busy typing the stories, answering phone calls, assisting with customer service and reviewing many e-mails and press releases. They frequently eat their breakfast, lunch and occasionally their supper while seated at the computer typing in information for the next week’s edition. On Friday they spend many hours putting together the newspaper for publication, again sandwiched in between the phone calls and etc., so you can receive your paper on Tuesday morning.
A second thing it is extremely apparent you do not know [and I suspect that beyond the things I will enumerate here there is much you do not know] is that a small community newspaper such as ours does not enjoy the luxury of an “investigative staff.”
When a member of the community who is assumed to be reputable brings in a “human interest” story about an individual or organization in the community, it most often gets printed for two reasons. First, if the individual was willing, based on the fact that they had the integrity to “own it,” it is assumed they are being honest with the reporter. Also, it is the responsibility of a community paper to highlight as many of its community members as possible; hence the weekly, birthday, anniversary and good neighbor salutes published by our newspaper.
Finally, other than “feature” and “human interest” stories, everything else that Bonnie puts in the paper is a matter of public record. So if you feel that you have an axe to grind because your name appeared in a negative light in one of these articles, as a result of court records, drug task force agency records, or records of local law enforcement agencies, shame on you!
If this is not the case, I suggest that you get busy putting your life to good use rather than wasting your time posting “dribble” regarding local politicians, law enforcement members and our community newspaper, on the internet. Perhaps you could join some worthy local organization that could use assistance. Bonnie is in the local Right to Life group, the Literacy Council, works closely with the local Arts Council, the local Historical Society and the Friends of the Library, to mention just a few. If that type of thing is not your forte, perhaps you could take some adult education classes in sentence structure, punctuation, spelling and composition. In either case, it would probably benefit our community!
In conclusion, let me say for the record, that I have undertaken writing this on behalf of all those you have chosen to attack, not because any of them has asked me to but because my wife and I have lived in the community for a long time. We raised our children here and have many good friends in both Stewart and Houston counties and many of them are tired of the negativism expressed on your website. If you can’t find some way to affect the community in a positive fashion, perhaps it is time you move along. There are probably countless small communities in third world nations around the globe that could use someone with your abilities. So that you know I am a person of integrity, my name is Kurt Lill. And yes, the correct spelling of my name is with two L’s on the end. If you can’t include your name, you have no integrity.
P.S. If there are any words in h
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Kurt Lill
11/3/2011 11:12:06 pm
I realize my last post was lengthy and the PS got cut off. Here is the addendum in its entirety:
P.S. If there are any words in here that you do not understand, you should be able to find them in most standard dictionaries. If you do not own a dictionary, you can use the one at the library, if you know where that is! Also, let me say that I do not think there is much you could do to enhance our community’s newspaper; you can’t even find the spell check on your tool bar!!
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Livin on a prayer
11/4/2011 01:18:11 am
Mr. Lill,
Your post is full of assumptions and 'attacks' on other peoples integrity. That does nothing more than make you a hypocrite. Assumptions made by others is exactly why this blog exists. Do you NOT see the importance of NOT making assumptions? The article in question is a LIE. It didn't take an "investigative team" to uncover the truth. It took a phone call. So, who are you mad at? Those that did the job of your wife? Maybe somewhere in the 50-60 hours of work she puts in a week she could have just NOT assumed and made a 30 second phone call. By the way, it would have prevented a bogus article from running that probably took more than a few minutes to write.
PS Some of us are employed, you shouldn't ASSUME that we're all at home with our families while your wife is hard at work.
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Letter of response to Kurt Lill
11/4/2011 01:58:37 am
bodyThe few posts I have put on the website you refer to, have my name on them. I have nothing to hide. But... I can understand why some don't. Having had been a citizen of Stewart County for almost 20 years, I have seen, and at times, had to deal with the small town attitude, and good ole boy system used here. To say one might have to suffer repercussions from voicing their opinion, is in my opinion, putting it mildly.
While I appreciate certain segments of your email, I find others offensive. As we are all entitled to our opinions, I understand your need to defend those being attacked on the website, because it's of your opinion it is unfair, and at times, not true. You brought up some good points, and I appreciate that face.
So why did you have to lose my respect, by making fun of those who don't have educations? There are many reasons why not everyone in the United States is a college graduate. I have known quite a few people in my life time that can't spell, can't read, can't operate a computer real well. Those same people have what is called "common sense."
In the same sense, I have known many people that have college degrees. And not a lick of common sense. If I have a problem, and need help, I'd much rather have someone with common sense help me through it. I find it offensive that you have to lash out at these people. Why not just state your case and let it go at that? Did it make you feel better to make fun of the less fortunate?
I, for one, will not stop asking questions, until there are answers. I don't see how anyone can ignore the facts that have been presented, revolving our police department and elected officials. I realize some people have gone overboard with the web site, which is their perogative. But to make fun of them, I'm sorry, that is just plain rude.
So, that is my take on the whole situation.
I think everyone should stick to the facts, and stop the name calling. Facts are just that, facts. Let's get to the bottom of all of this, so the county and city of Dover can move forward.
Sincerely,
Lynn Allen
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letter from LILL
11/5/2011 12:18:57 am
this is what I would expect if you ask me. The people dont get it. If you wont tell who you are and if you do not have a masters degree then you are not important. This mindset is common amongst the elite in stewart county and i for one am glad to see all the issues come out. It is killing them that someone would dare to speak up and make them walk the line. Mr lill uses his letter to bash the website and then takes shots in the same breath. What really bothers these people is the fact they got caught and nothing more. Mrs Lill has lost her reputation and I for one will pay no merit to any of her articles regardless of what they are.
Notice how he used the word "JUDGING" ...
as he judges those with less education...hypocrytic letter if you ask me.
I notice how he complains of the houyrs and hours of work lill puts in. Was she forced in this career? If it is toooo much resign and they could find someone else to do the job.
no time to verify the story? common sense when a story like this one sounds to good to be true it probably is. VERIFY VERIFY AND VERIFY AGAIN BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON THE STORY.
I ONCE AGAIN APPLAUD THE WEBSITE PEOPLE FOR TAKING ACTION AND PUTTING THIS FALSE STORY TO REST. STEWART HOUSTON TIMES NOW KNOWS THEY MUST GET BACK TO RESPECTABLE REPORTING AND MRS LILL NOW KNOWS SHE CAN NOT RUN AN ARTICLE JUST TO LOOK GOOD AND GET GOOD REVIEWS. SHE MUST EARN THE TRUST BACK FROM THE READERS AND THIS MAY TAKE A LONG TIME AND EVEN THEN THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DOUBT IN HER INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
SIGNED
AN ANONYMOUS,UNEDUCATED,PEON THAT IS FED UP WITH HE ELITE WHO THINK THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE
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im not educated does my opinion count
11/5/2011 01:03:07 am
8th grade education, left school to enlist in the Army. fought in Vietnam. When I returned I started to work in a steel factory. Never finished my education, not even high school. Raised 2 sons and 3 daughters who have gone on to better than I did as was my goal. I dont even know if I spelled anything right in this post or if I used the correcyt grammar the JUDGE talkks about in his letter. All I know is i worked hard all my life, paid my taxes, never been arrested or in the newspaper. WHY SIR DOES MY OPINION NOT COUNT. Why cant I ask that peopl in charge sof my community be honest and do the things like they are suppose to. Why can I not expect that when I pick up my local newspaper that what I read is true and the reporter that did the story has done everything to protect the integrity and reputation of themselves and the paper they are writing for? pleas tell me I am not asking too much here.
Signed
a no count hard working veteran
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how do you spell
11/5/2011 01:54:24 am
I think the letter from Mr Lill says it all and adds nothing but validity to this website. I dont care who created it, how well they spell, what kind of grammar they have, or even what type job they have, All that has nothing to do with the problems at the Times and some of the offices here in Stewart County, which is why this site was created. Why he seems to ignore the problems with the story and the eriter that ran it wiothout verifying it I dont undewrstand. Instaed he comes on here and blasts those that question the integrity and gives the excuse that "she has a college degree and works hard and outs in to many hours". Sounds like me and probaly 99% of the people that come on here. Since we do not know who you are how does this all mean anything. If we can prove you live on the other side of the bridge and didnt graduate college well then this issue would be meaningless. However if you are from Dover have a college degree from then it means everything......Come on now Mr. Lil reread your own self rightous post. and tell you wife do make sure she does her job before she runs a story and we dont even have this blog thread now do we. GEEEEEZ take responsilbily instead of making excuses.
I will not sign my name because of people like you
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spelling or typos you be the judge
11/5/2011 01:56:44 am
i intentionally did not run a spell check on the last post to see what my post would look like and low and behold it may be typos you are seeing more than anything, but you being the judge you decide mr better than thow LILL
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SCHS
11/5/2011 02:16:42 am
I graduated from Stewart County High School. Does this meet your qualifications of being a human being with an opinion.
Signed
Couldnt afford college so I went to work
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I have seen her
11/5/2011 02:27:43 am
at fairs, festivals, and events. Take a couple pictures talk to a couple people (always someone with great influence in the county) Then run for her car. This is Hard? How many times must we see her grandchildren in the paper everytime they go to the bathroom.
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Big Rock Grade School
11/5/2011 02:35:46 am
Dang I just found out I dont mean anything thanks to MR LILL opening my eyes to how we rank people in Stewart County and by the Times (since he responded on behalf of those I assume the Times Also) will I still be allowed to vote in the next election since I didnt go farther than Big rock School? will my employer reduce my pay due to lack of education, can I get someone to add my groceries up at the pigg. Can someone drive me to the food stamp office each month. I dont have them yest but since I found out today I can no longer do anything without a college degree
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Thank You Mr LiLL
11/5/2011 02:59:23 am
I am very happy you explained your side of the story on behalf of you, your wife and those that dont like the web site. We now see things a bit more clearly. We are not worthy
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what else
11/5/2011 03:09:41 am
what else is out there that we need to know about? I am curious how deep this goes. I do wish I had the ability to go a lot farther in my education but I was not able to. I respect those that did, However I would never bash those that have less than me an any way. For that i am disgusted in the post br Mr Lill. I come to this site because I seen lots of people post experiences they have and wanted to get it out. i read everything and then I form my own opinion. Is this a bad thing? Does this make me a bad person? I actually am glad this gets out there for me to look at. I am no idiot and I am able to sort through the posts and decide for myself. I cant spell very well either. Heck I barely can operate a computer but Mr Lill I still sit down with my family each nite and praise the lord for what i do have, and i do not covet those that have more nor do I beliddle those that have less. One day we all will be judged and wont you hate it if god reads this site and casts judgement on your your post
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I support you Mr Lill and SHT
11/5/2011 03:37:37 am
I happen to agree with MR LILL. If you can not spell correctly, use good grammar and write a great to do about nothing email then you are not to be even considered to have an opinion and on the same level as the great folks at the stewart houston story tellers and mr lill himself.I have known this for years that we are measured by this in Stewart County we just needed Mr Lill to point this out and be man enough to tell us we are idiots.
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Livin on a prayer
11/5/2011 04:16:23 am
I first would like to clear up any misunderstanding. I did NOT create this blog. Excerpts of posts I have made are on the home page of this blog. That is not my doing. Someone found it important and relevant enough to put it front and center. WSMV also found it to be a big enough deal to run a story about it on the local (Nashville) news. Thank you to whoever you are. I'm not going to ask because I do not care. I'm just appreciative of your efforts to right this wrong.
Mr. Lill, you are attempting damage control and failing miserably. Bonnie Lill ran a story that has been proven to be a lie. She knew it was a lie when she printed it. There's no doubt about that in my mind. I called her shortly after that story ran. I sent letters to the appropriate individuals asking them to make this right. That was more than a year ago. Please don't convey to the people of this community that this is some sort of surprise and Bonnie Lill is a victim. That's just ridiculous.
I suspect that no one really cares that Ethan Newman lied. That's not even the issue. It's that the lie was perpetuated by the Stewart Houston Times. It was told, via print, to hundreds, possibly thousands of people. There has been more than ample opportunity for this story to be checked. It is to the credit of this blog that the citizens have been told the truth. Believe me, I tried very hard to get the facts to your wife more than a year ago. She chose to ignore me, as did the mayor, and The Leaf Chronicle.
As for integrity, I have plenty. I am a mother and a wife, and a damn good one. It's for my family and the potential repercussions they would face in this 'good ole boy' community that I choose to remain anonymous. You will not bully me into putting my children at risk of being ridiculed or outcast for my wanting to do the right thing for the good citizens of this county who certainly DESERVE to be able to rely on their source of news being truthful and NOT self serving.
You should be careful putting yourself so high on a pedestal so that when you fall it doesn't hurt so bad. Seems you have truly upset some fellow Stewart County citizens and without justification. Maybe your not so smart after all.
Signed,
One with integrity who outed your wife's story and proud of it!
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well said
11/5/2011 05:18:03 am
Thanks livin on a prayer fro first bringing this to everyones attention. a big thank you to this website for not stopping untill the answer was given. and to all you out there doing it the wrong way. we now are watching you. can you believe the general manager of both the leaf and the times along with the reporters husband all responded to this website....wow what a great tool this has turned out to be...thank you thank you thank you
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the nerve
11/5/2011 11:22:26 pm
I am totaly disturbed by the content of the letter from Mr Lill attacking someones education and even accusing them of being a criminal. Mr Lill do you know these people or are you just that much of an idiot?
Of all the posts I have read on this site this letter takes the cake. You stuck up snob.
I may not have the educational background that you or your spouse have but i guarantee you this, I would never attack someone I do not know and especially show off the education you have
You really think you are better than anyone simply because you and your fake story running wife have degrees. well I tell you what you do not have my friend and that is the respect from me and lots of people right now. Next time you see anyone in town be sure when you say hi, if they dont respond in the proper english you correct them
This is unbelievable......to say the least...lill and lill educated idiots
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hERES MY 2 CENTS
11/6/2011 01:29:32 am
This is my problem with the artice retraction. As mentioned before. The article was originally ran on the front page therefore so should have been the retraction. MR LILL I HOPE MY SPELLING WAS SATISFACTORY
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Mr Lill
11/6/2011 03:27:14 am
Sir I apologize for my shortcomings and not meeting the standards set by you, and all the people you have choosen to speak for. If you will kindly put out a guide to meet the standards required to be in your presence, I will work hard in my spare time to meet these so that I can be a part of your society
I do not work and sleep late so I would need to be able to study only about an hour a day since I need to drink beer and watch jerry and maury all day. Oh and mondays are out as we have monday nite football. But any other time is fine as long as it is not saturday also because I have a hangover on that day, but any other day is fine as long as it is not Tuesday as I will be at the food stamp office, but any other day is ok as long as it is not wednesday as that day i have to go to the chees line to get food, but any other day is fine as long as it is not Thursday as on that day i have to go to the unemployment office to sign up for my weekly benefits, but any other day is ok as long as it is not friday as on that day i have to be at the jail to visit my mom and grandmother. but any other day is fine. I hope you can help me as you can see I am what you think I am or at least what your opinion of the common folk is
Sincerely,
Your opinion of anyone without your education
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thats funny
11/6/2011 04:13:42 am
sad he (Lill)looks at things this way, but a funny twist on his stuckup post anyway
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Lynn Allen
11/6/2011 09:27:53 am
To Living with a Prayer,
APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!!!!!! Well said.
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did the mayor know
11/6/2011 09:44:18 pm
I notice that the Mayor of Dover was also notified of this and did nothing.
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i own this website
11/6/2011 10:40:04 pm
Who Am I?
I am the person sitting next to you in church,standing in line in front/behind of you at the store. I work with you. I am your childs teacher. I am the police officer that gaurds your freedom.I am the firefighter who responds to your emergency. I am your neighbor. I am the people of Stewart County that is fed up with what is going on and I am going to keep my ears and eyes open and if you do wrong I will help stop it.
The website creator is not at blame, all they did was create a spoace for people to talk and bring thinhgs out. Those that bash that seem to be the ones that have or know the people that have the issues. do right and it wont be posted. But when you are caught blame the right person,not the website
Signed
A concerned Citizen who sees the real value of this site
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YOU 2 ARE INDEED
11/7/2011 12:52:06 am
Mr and Mrs Lill,
I agree you both are to educated to be in Stewart County. My suggestion would be for you to relocate to a much bigger area where people would appreciate the fact that you are better than the average person. If you would locate to say HELL that would be more of an enviornment you would fit in with
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I agree
11/7/2011 01:00:19 am
There would be plenty of room for the
MAYOR
CHIEF OF POLICE
CITY ADMIN
to join them where they could all be one happy family
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significance
11/7/2011 02:34:00 am
I find it unusual that all the postd from the times and thier self made spokeperson states how this site is insignificant, yet they respond and post on it. Seems it must mean something to them inb the back of thier minds now doesnt it
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Citizen
11/7/2011 08:13:47 am
I have lived in Stewart County most of my life and there are some things that have always happened and everyone has always accepted as just "that's Stewart county for you, it will never change". One of those things is that there has always been corruption when it came to law enforcement and the running of the county or city. The other is that all these damn yankees move here and then try to tell all of us how stupid we are. I don't have a college degree but I can honestly say I am kind of glad I don't. Most everyone I know and that includes people that grew up in this county just as I did that do have a degree have zero common sense and treats everyone that doesn't have a degree like the toilet paper they use to wipe their butts. I work hard every day, I pay my bills and try to treat everyone the way I want to be treated. I don't go to church every Sunday but I know who my Creator and Savior is and I think it's very sad that our county has become such a laughing stock. Mr. and Mrs. Lill, the fact of the matter is the story that ran was false and you were informed it was a lie long ago. If you had retracted the story then your credibility would probably been saved but now you are just another media person seeking attention. Mr. Lill, you're just an idiot. If you think everyone in Stewart and Houston county that doesn't have a degree are idiots then you need to go back to the place from which you came.
BTW...Bonnie, I can't speak for everyone else but I for one am tired of hearing about your trip to the candy store in Chicago every year.
I applaud whoever started this website.
Keep the hot seat burning!
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clarification
11/8/2011 04:04:55 am
Let us clarify one thing here that seems to be brought up over and over again by those that have been put in the spotlight for one reason or another.
Not one experience, report or issue was made by the website; these were reports, sent to us by the citizens that wanted the story out there. We simply set up the site and gave the citizens a place to vent and see what the local leaders were up to or have been accused to have been up to.
We especially applaud “Livin On A Prayer” for their passion in righting the wrong done by the Times. They also did not create the site just gave us the tools to make the Times and Mrs. Lill tell the truth. It may have taken a year but thanks to the pressure of the citizens it finally happened.
We find it unusually funny that those accused seem to think the identity of the website is the most important thing here, when in fact it is the least important and really not important at all.
There have been a total of over 200,000 visits to this website so yes it is a powerful tool, but only powered by the people/citizens that read it and report so things can be investigated.
We ask that when you see our leaders act in a way that is not moral, legal or is degrading to our community let us know and our promise is we will look into it and keep the fire hot till the truth is told.
Thank You Again for your opinion (both for and against)
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Livin on a prayer
11/8/2011 05:56:17 am
Well, Thank you very much. I will say thank you also for providing a place for me to give this information freely. It really was a thorn in my side and I am grateful for the opportunity to share what I know. Mrs. Lill has not taken ownership in that story, Mr. Hicks did. None the less, it has resulted in a retraction of the original story and I'm happy about that. It's too bad, Mrs. Lill isn't as big a person and even worse that this story would have had little attention had she just done the stand up thing in the beginning. I don't know her or her husband personally but I really tried to assist her in telling the truth. All I can say now is "oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive". Lies cost, the truth is FREE!
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i have an issue with thetimes
11/8/2011 11:12:25 am
I will send it through private email
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where did they go
11/12/2011 03:12:41 am
Where did the Lills go after bashing everyone? I want a response. Without a response they have no merit and are what they lead us to belives they are. Come on Mr Lill you came on here so brash and bashing and then when we call you on it you run and hide. THE GHOST AND MR CHICKEN
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RD
11/28/2011 11:00:18 pm
I have chosen not to renew my SHT, as it is not worth the paper it is printed on!
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James
1/11/2012 01:22:54 pm
I've been reading these posts for months and I have never responded. As a matter of fact I have never posted anything on the internet, so this is a first. I have lived in this county for most of my life. I spent some time in other parts of this great nation and in other parts of this world. So I have decided ,after talking with around 40 people about this site and discussing several of the issues, to write a consensus opinion.
This is a great place to live. Yes, there are issues. People make mistakes. No matter what position they hold. No one i spoke with disagreed with me. Whether their family had lived here for generations or they had only lived here for a couple of years, people are happy with their lives here. I have personally witnessed so much kindness from the citizens of this great county. I have also witnessed great kindness from the political figures of this county. A consensus belief that was spoken between so many of the citizens I talked with was that some people are trying to look for someone to blame for things that go wrong. That is probably true because I think that is human nature but I think we all need to understand that bad things happen. If the Chief of Police is doing something wrong or against the law then she will be caught and punished, and she will deserve it. But if she is only doing everything she can within the rights of law to protect her child then she is just like all the other great citizens of this county that would do the same. It may look different from out perspective but what someone "say's they say or were a part of" doesn't really mean much. That is just heresay. Think about how much heresay you've heard in this county over the years. Proof is proof but people talking is just normal behavior. Everyone I spoke with looks at this website not because they are interested in seeing someone loose their job, or because they have been wronged. They all say they log on to be amazed at what people will say. The only people in this county that we have ever seen "mistreated or blackballed" were people who were openly doing wrong in the business world. Everyone we've ever known who either worked hard, went to school , or put in their time are working in this county and are earning an honest. Do some make more than others, of course. But that is not someone's fault, it's just simply the different in jobs and incomes. My grandfather always said, "No matter how much schoolin somebody's got, if they wanna earn a good livin, they will!" During my discussions with citizens of this great county I've had over 15 make almost the exact same statement. "If this county is so bad for you, Leave." We all believe that you will quickly discover that your problems will not be solved somewhere else, because those problems are self inflicted.
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hogwash
5/7/2012 09:18:24 pm
I on the other hand have alo lived her for 25 byears and see just the opposite. where you have talked to 15 peoploe i also have talked to ore than 100 and most agree the site is making more people aware of what goes on and are amazed the chief is not in prison. the stewart houston times has been caugt redhanded publishing a story on front page that was not true. now how is that hersay my friend. and to say love it or leave it is totaly hypocritical, how about love it or change it. anyone who posts to put up with it or get out simply has no merit...NICE TRY
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The one laughing
5/8/2012 03:35:32 pm
I would like to say that now that it seems this can of worms has been reopened because I almost forgot about this. I just wanted to drop by and give kudos to whoever wrote "fraud" all over Mr. Ethan Newman's car after the news release... for 2 weeks! Idiot never even saw it on his car til he got out of it! :D (I seen a few people point it out to him when he got out of his car at BP). Watching him try to wash that off was the best thing I have ever seen. He deserves every bit of what he got and more!!!
PS whoever did that needs to make another stop by his house so he never forgets. Might as well hit his house up while you're at it.
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SUBSTANTIATED
5/8/2012 10:55:08 pm
You got thst right. I received a copy of an email from Mrs Bonnie Lill yesterday where she states the Stewart Houston Liar Times is where to go to read sustantiated news!!!! Is this not the same SHT that ran the false story, ignored it as long as they could and then finally admitted it was a lie? That is a great resume for a newspaper. I think the real problem is these people are more hurt by being caught than anything. They do not understand the power of the people and the internet. Notice the only answer those that have issues is "IF YOU DONT LIKE IT MOVE OR LEAVE" Coward answer because they can not run this town by iron fists anymore. The times is a joke of a newspaper and those sitting in the authority there now must be held accountable and they can not stand it.
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poor man
5/9/2012 09:50:11 pm
same ole thing. poor man has no right to an opinion in stewart county. the times has more problems that soon will come out as i know someone who was talking about an incident with them a few years back. i told him to wright it to the website so maybe they can get it out there too
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lmao
5/10/2012 06:18:36 am
I got a copy of the times email sent to me yesterday also. i almost fell out of my chair laughing when the email talked about how their articles were genuine ..hahahahahha didnt they learn anything from when livin on a prayer and the folks from this website caught them in a lie.The Newspaper is obsolete anyway never read it, can find anything i need to know online. I believe that is why they make these articles up to try to keep the readers. If you stack the writers of the Times up with any other paper in the state and they would look like a bunch of (fill in the blank)
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Fed Up
5/10/2012 11:58:05 am
Morons! I filled in the blank. I love how Kurt Lill talks about correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. That shows me that he must never read the SHT. Guaranteed that in just one issue you will find at least 50 grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Sometimes a sentence or whole article will just stop............not end, just stop in the middle of the article or sentence. It is an embarrassment of a newspaper!
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