Dear Always,
No contradiction.
One can pasken shailos even if “nobody listens to him” as in the example I gave. The controversy was that he was incorrect. Not that he couldn’t give such a psak.
The fellow I was referring to, is not known personally by almost anyone that asks. Including most people who have his private phone number. [For all they know he beats his wife.] He is an in instant response that is very valuable to many halachic decisions.