Posted by bootboot36035 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

he is not in the medical field he used to own radio shack all we have to do is to show up why do we give him a pay raise for doing nothing???????????

Posted by inaword (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Interesting... I didn't know we paid health insurance for elected officials. That goes a long way in explaining why people run.

Posted by uglydog65 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 4:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I request all Doctors that are willing to work for $400 a year and $50 a week and be on call 24/7, not to mention that by the time you are called death has already occured, please rush forward.

Posted by DirtRoadDweller (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 5:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Our coroner is a joke. No medical experience. He gets paid almost nothing but he's had the job for nearly a quarter century? Come on, he's getting a kickback or something or he wouldn't have been doing it.

And pay his health insurance? Are you kidding me? He's retirement age and lives in THE MOST expensive, gated neighborhood in Troy. The county is broke - let him pay his own insurance or better yet - can we eliminate the job altogether?

Posted by uglydog65 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well three shots in the back. It looks like suicide to me, dump him in the ground.

If you ever bought or had work done at Radio Shack you know where he made his money. Unless I am mistaken the coroner is an elected position. He may report to the Pike County Commission, but he is ultimately responsible only to the people. For $33.34 per month + $50.00 dollars (tank of gas) expense a week he must view and arrange for the autopsies of any questionable death.

Posted by DirtRoadDweller (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Seriously, he is elected cause nobody else wants the job. BUT, the Messenger story didn't mention that he also is chairman of the Pike County Democratic Party - so being an elected official and holding public office obviously has it perks. Also, the story didn't state what it will cost to provide him this health insurance - a fact at least this reader would like to know.

And excuse me, but nobody builds a home in Palos Verdes from owning a Radio Shack!!!

I don't begrudge anyone for being well-off financially, just can't understand why someone of his stature would want the job. Call me a cynic.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't feel sorry for him. A relative of mine was killed in a car accident and his body laid by the side of the road for over five hours with everyone waiting on the coroner to drive a whopping fourteen miles from Troy. HE NEVER BOTHERED TO SHOW UP! Eventually two very disgusted state troopers told the ambulance to take the body to the hospital and have him announced there. Why give someone a raise if he can't do the most simple part of the job? This is not heresay either, I was there as were his parents, brother, teenage son, and other relatives.

Posted by localreader (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did I read this article correctly? Doesn't it say that our elected officials' health insurance is paid for them, by us?!
This makes so much more sense now! I guess I have been under a rock somewhere and missed the announcement on receiving free health insurance if you are an elected official. That alone is HUGE! Obviuosly I knew that some officials rec'd free health care, but I didn't know ALL elected officials did! Last year, I paid nearly $10k for BCBS coverage for a family plan that STILL had me too afraid to go to the Dr. b/c of the co-pays and deductibles. I had BCBS coverage but still couldn't afford to get sick. That's not a joke or an exaggeration. That really answers a big question for me as to why people are willing to run for some of these positions these days.
I have no comment on Mr. Williams concerning this since he doesn't seem to be complaining, only going along. However, if they do get it passed that he receives free health insurance, he may have someone running against him next time.... ME!

Posted by beingrealistic (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From what I understand the insurance is only free for single coverage, not family.....

Posted by deerhunter05 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The coroner is a joke in the county, the other night there was a reck that came a young man died in it took him a little while before he came down there. He also just look at the young man an went on his way, after he left the wrecker to pick up the reck an there was still body parts in it, It should be his job to make sure that all parts of the body is pick up a carried with the body. He told the trooper to put the parts in a BI-O bag and diguard them. And that is not right in my mind. So he does not need a raise or the county should not pay the ins,for him.

Posted by uglydog65 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BCBS is BS, my monthly premium is $230.00 (individual) with a deductible of $2000.00, so I have to wait until about dead before going to a doctor. A high class funeral cost about 3 days in the hospital. Don't think a hospital can't take everything you have if you don't have insurance.

I am deeply sorry that anyone had to wait for a coroner. He may have been unavailable for a legitimate reason, if not held accountable. I am open to suggestions. Have 2 coroners, for 24 years no one has wanted or replaced Williams. Have a full time coroner, with a pay of what $100,000.00. Have 10 or 20 coroners that work out of Montgomery to cover the state of Alabama, what would that cost. Use Doctors on a rotating bases like a wrecker service, my last visit to a Dr. in his office, billed as extended (15 minutes) was $85.00. I just they billed me for the time waiting to see him and no I had not met my deductible.

I do not care how Mr. Williams got his money as long as he got it legally. Maybe someone should check, he may be getting the gold fillings out of teeth.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dog65,you need to check Blue Advantage,if you are 65 or older,willcost you alot less than 230.00 per month.

Posted by elvis2 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps having such a person holding the job as coroner is the reason so many murders go unsolved . Someone stated that there were seventeen unsolved murders in the county . Some may go back years . Maybe I've been watching to many CSI shows on tv but it would certainly appear that someone with medical knowledge should be holding the job.

Posted by uglydog65 (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM thank you, but by the calender I am not there yet. My health places me way past there. I am thinking more of funeral homes, after all the only sure thing are death and taxes.

elvis2 I think that was reported in the Dothan Eagle about 17 unsolved murders, but it did not give a time period.

Posted by iknowthetruth (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since everyone seems to be against our current coroner, why don't one of you run for the job. How would you like to get paid only $400 a year to look at dead bodies to announce them dead. It should be a full time job with decent pay and benefits. My hat goes off Mr. Williams for putting up with it for 24 years. And deerhunter 05, the only joke I see is your grammar.

Posted by oldcampsite (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a bunch of crap, PAY HIS INSURANCE, All you so called commisioners are just slap crazy, all you politicians are nothing but using the people to get fat. I hope one day it reverses on yall and you cannot sleep and lay your heads down. If he lives out at the crap pond, whoops Politically spoken Palos Verdes..... yes thats it, then he can pay his own insurance, he stated it was a service, well why dont yall just let him volunteer, so you can buy more new vehicles to let county employees ride around on. I am suprised no more politicians havent run for coroner, then you really dont have to do anything, its not like yall are anyway. Its time for major change around here, the city to, everyone is down there at the new millions of dollar non needed building on one knee bowing to wanna be guvna, and at 2 in the morning the stadium lights are left on and we all wonder why our electric bills are 3 times more a month. I think we all need to keep an eye on these fat cats we call commisioners, there is something funny going on up there, and maybe its time we start buying stuff out of town, because now, everytime you spend money in Pike County, just think how nice it is to be contributing to the coroners insurance, what a joke, spend money somewhere else, and for you commisioners who work and pay your insurance, good job, for the ones who dont and expect the people to pay your bills, I suggest you and the coroner pick up a boot and go stand out at an intersection and take donations because THIS IS NOT COOL!!!!!!!!!! And dont worry about one upset person, look above, I think I might have some help on this one, ready to RETIRE????????

Posted by oldcampsite (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"iknowthetruth" and to you, If its only 400 a year and its so bad looking at dead bodies, then why would he run for it if it is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad????? Theres the joke, geez

Posted by oldcampsite (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On a lighter note, I am pretty sure our coroner worked his whole like hard enough to live where he is and thats his business, I will say that on his behalf, however, this isnt about him, its about whats right, and if that is the case, should the lions club president get insurance to? We need to wake up and see what going on.

Posted by DirtRoadDweller (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, let's see it in print, Messenger staff - what will it cost to provide him insurance? How many calls did Williams make last year? How many did he NOT take - like the one Tutle referred to. Also, when is the last time anyone ran against him? Do other counties our size have a coroner? Are we required by law to have one? Apparently not since there was a wreck and the troopers finally sent the body to the hospital when Williams didn't show up!

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coffee county had two but have cut it down to one not long ago.I have never heard anyone else say they wanted the job,who would want to be on call 24/7/365 to be called out at 2AM to go look at some of the things a coroner has to see.What I think would work is to have some of our law officers do the job since they would be there anyway and you don't have to have medical exp.Would more than likely have to get a law passed for them to do it.

Posted by elvis2 (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay , do I understand this correctly . The Coroner's only function is to go to a scene where someone is dead and pronounce that the person in fact is dead . IF that is the case surely the EMT 's on the scene are capable of saying whether or not the person or persons are dead . According to Websters dictionary and I quote "a public officer whose primary duty is to inquire by an inquest held in the presence of a jury into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes". Is there also a medical examiner in the county ?

Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These comments are really over the edge. If you want the "big money" that this position pays, then run for the office the next time it is open. I have known Jerry Williams for many years and he has worked hard to be in the financial position he is in and frankly where he lives shouldn't matter to anyone except he and his wife. When he isn't in town there is someone, I am not sure who, that is suppose to cover for him. He is not going to be available 24/7/52 and neither is anyone else that serves in this position. Jerry is the type person that has served in this position as a service to the people of Pike County. If you don't like the service that he has provided, then run for the office and do it yourself!

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW,Ramsey you shut everyone up with that comment.Did you know Jerry back when he repaired CB radio's in a trailer next to Wilson's Bar-B-Q while in a wheel-chair going by the CB handle Ironside,I did, that was along time ago.

Posted by BOOMERSOONER (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We have some sad comments in this one as usual. Turtle is the only one with a right to fuss from what I can tell.

Posted by NOYB (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have known Jerry for a number of years and he has always been a dedicated coroner for Pike County. He not only has served 24 years as coroner but was the assistant to the coroner before that.
DirtRoad you state that he has no medical experience but I beg to differ with you on that. No, he does not have a medical degree but that does not mean he has no medical knowledge at all. And the coroner before him also did not have a medical degree. But the lack of a degree doesn't mean that they are unable to do the job. And why would the Messenger include in the article that he is the chairman of the Democratic Party? What does that have to do with the fact that he has not had a raise in 24 years? Would you continue to work for someone without a raise for that many years? He does it because he cares about the people of Pike County and wants to insure that Heaven forbid something happens to any of us that we are treated with respect.
He understands that this is not a job for everyone, so he continues to do it because no one else has stepped up for the job.
Turtle I am truly sorry that your relative lost his life but knowing Jerry the way I do I just can't believe he would just not show. There has to be more to this story - what was the reason given that he didn't show?
And Elvis2 the coroner does not investigate murders so he has nothing to do with unsolved murders in Pike County.
And OldCamp if you think buying out of town is going to hurt the commissioners think again. It will solve nothing but will sure hurt the business owner who are trying to make a living and support their families. And to me THATS NOT COOL!!!!
And last, where Jerry lives has nothing to do with the service he provides for Troy. He and his wife have worked hard for what they have and have every reason to be proud of it. What he is asking for is that the pay be increased after 24 years to enable him to be able to cover his expenses. Not to pad his pockets but just to break even!

Posted by DirtRoadDweller (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 4:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As for why it should be mentioned that he is chairman of the county Democratic Party - the coroner is an elected position - he is MORE than the typical politican - he is chairman of a local political party - readers should know - that's all! And for the record, State Rep. Alan Boothe was the coroner in Pike County a long time ago- maybe the last one before Williams - and he didn't have medical experience either but should have. Again, do other counties our size have a coroner? Why couldnt the sheriff do it?

Posted by giturdone (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

do you people have nothing to do with your life than to write negative comments on the coroner? I for one have had some very positive dealing the Jerry Williams. If anyone in the county deserves a raise, he does. Would any of you do this job with the salary that is paid? Mr. Williams has to pay some of his expenses out of pocket, would you do that? As for the health insurance, every elected official that is COUNTY has their coverage paid, you can only guess that our commissioners, who have been on board for 2 or more years and some longer did not even know this!!!!!! Surprise!!!Suprise!!!!!. If any one of you would like to run for the office of Coroner, I am certain Mr. Williams would sit down with you and explain the job duties, then I think you would change your mind. I for one would not seek this office if the pay was 100,000. annually. So please everyone, get your facts straight before your post negative comments.

Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

@WDM

Seems like only yesterday!

Posted by obiwan (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Having known Jerry Williams for our 20 years and reading the comments posted. Its obvious that more than a few of you should check out your facts before you express your opinion.
I believe every county has a coroner, and yes no medical experience is required. Mr Williams has a criminal justice degree. I don't know every aspect of this job resposibilty, but i think any of these coroners that are elected or appointed she be given credit for what can be best described as a"public service" job. The past 24 years at 400 a month and 200.00 for expenses, on-call 24/7. Thank you for your service to the community. As for a pay raise, i would say a coroner should have a pay raise, but from where and who has the authority to decide, other officials? Maybe the elected official raise should only be decided on by the people they are elected to represent, all of them.
And i happen to know there are people in place to go on call if he is not available. What could have happened in the case of some of the above stories, i don't know the facts,so as i said i won't express an opinion about their claims.
How Mr Williams made his good living and where he lives is his business. We are not talking about making a great living as coroner in Pike county, as compared to other politicians on a larger scale. If you check with other coroners within our state,i am sure you will find they all have or have had a full time job to make a living by.
I personally do not believe any elected official should receive paid health insurance,regardless of what they make as salary. Workers comp coverage,yes.
If you can do a better job and you can do the job right, at the current going rate, by all means run for coroner. You had better find out what your getting youself into first.

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow Turtle....that was awful for all concerned. So sorry that it happened to your family.

I guess you have a right to be upset.