To the editor:

After reading the editor's response to my letter concerning Chairman J.D. Willis, I knew it was a sad day for Scotland County.

For over 200 years, newspapers have been the front line defense for the people of America against elected officials and government bureaucrats who abuse the power entrusted to them. Unfortunately, the editor chose to ignore and deny the facts presented and defend Chairman Willis while "killing the messenger".

According to the editor, "none of the actions attributed were the work of one person." The editor should be reminded that Willis made a public statement that he (not the commissioners) made a mistake suggesting the $1,000 bonuses. I am also certain the board had nothing to do with Chairman Willis' decision to establish the Highlands Charter School. Certainly the board voted on the $500,000 grant to Wagram, but it was not on the agenda and there was no public input. At least one board member complained about he manner in which it was done. (To Wagram citizens, this is no fault of yours.)

It would be easy for this writer to continue on each item, but it would be too lengthy. The editor has considerable responsibility to choose his words carefully and deal with accurate information. He did not do so. He called my effort a "cheap shot". A cheap shot was his irrelevant inclusion of my "unsuccessful run for commissioner last year". Hey, at least he should have noted that I was going to serve without pay- saving the county $28,000.

One final thought. Citizens need to be aware of the Highland Charter School headed by J.D. Willis for eight years and then closed with a lot of unanswered questions. How well did his students perform? Why did the school close? And finally, how did he use the $760,176.49 that came directly out of local taxpayer pockets and paid to the Highland School. That's 3/4 of a million dollars out of our pockets, folks. You deserve an answer.

Bill Morgan

Scotland County