Opinion Editorial by Publisher Shari Johnson
The News was on the slow line this week. My focus wasn’t where it should be after 8 a.m. Prior to that I was having Bible Study in my room. Which is my safe haven and how I keep my head screwed on as straight as I do. But after that, I bounced from one project to another and one story to another, and my ADHD has been in high gear.
On Wednesday, I was asked by a friend to pick up a FOIA request answer at the Town of Grantsville office. A two minute office visit that turned into a call from a Police Sergeant who informed me that I had been reported for making a scene. After the initial shock wore off of being contacted by the West Virginia State Police I attempted to defend my self, only to be verbally accosted by the officer to the point of hanging up on him. Then set there in tears, thinking “I just hung up on an officer.”
You see, I come from the country, where my parents brought me up to respect authority. I’ve been married to a Fire Chief, we’ve been friends of the police and Sheriff’s Department and community supporters. I brought my children and grandchildren up to believe that the Police, Fire and EMS were the local heroes. That if they needed help, that’s who you ran to. I also taught them that the school authorities had their best interest at heart. So when I receive, or my family receives treatment out of the sphere of what I’ve always taught my family these people were, it’s hard on my heart. Because I still believe in Old time America.
Before anyone stresses the events with the Town of Grantsville and the West Virginia State Police, I want you to know that I wrote that story out, sent the facts to back it up sent it to every government official from local to State office that I could think of, including the Governor. I’m done.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately that I want the attitude of Old Time America back. But was it a perfect world? Golly no. It had some major issues too. So what do I want for my community?
- I want Government officials to obey the laws they govern and create.
- I want Police Officers to be heroes by respecting the people they serve and to behave with morality so that when kids grow up to be like the officers, they won’t be arrested. Let that statement sink in.
- I want teachers to leave their agendas on their dining room table at the house and not feed it to the children in public schools. I want two flags in the public school, the American flag and the State flag. And if any other flag is flown in the school, it’s removed by School leadership with a back bone. I want faculty to obey the same rules as the students and if they’re behaving immorally that it will be called out, not swept underneath the carpet.
If our authority figures would live with integrity, and the citizens would demand it or remove the access we’d be better than the Old time America that lives in my mind.
That’s my thoughts this Saturday.
Shari, I am sorry to hear of your recent experience in the quest of gleaning information from local law enforcement. I’d like to say I’m surprised but I’m more saddened as this seems to be the standard.
There are reports of anywhere from 5-6,000 residents in our county. Common sense indicates that of all individuals. Some are quite young while others are of retired age and beyond.
I have to question inaction n lack of follow through. Few things remain secret here unless explicitly by design.
We have internet and cellphone service.
Yet the courthouse posts meetings on the door. “cuz that’s how we always did it!!”
The Sheriff office has new phone system as does rest of courthouse.. (a sound improvement) Yet reports and calls are made. None returned, in time-voicemail is full.for upwards of a month.
If other people crimes were being solved or investigated. That would be one thing.
What we have here is another.
I’ve heard of ppl that were born there saying “ it’s always been this way n will never change..”
Some are afraid of change understandably.
But in this case how much worse can it get??!?.
If you’re lucky enough to have work locally. Great!!.I’m sure you hope your home family n property are safe though the work day.
If you must work out of town…your worries are compounded. Good luck spending your lunch break calling and reporting incidents.
Discover trespass n theft and have to wait til Monday to report it.
There has been a high turnover in numerous positions n it fairly reeks of nepotism n favored treatment.
Selective enforcement is par for the course.
If you haven’t been hit yet-you will.
We’re talking about jobless wonders. People who may or may not have graduated high school yet went straight to social security (disability)in some cases.
Oh, they (might) work some cash jobs.but the important part is that steady income and “ gov-ment paid for communication device.”
So we have Dick Tracy style cohesion with light bulb of strange residue…and no real ideas.
Though I may digress-I’m not wrong, this is my opinion. And, sadly I don’t feel alone anymore.
Just observing the chaos uncomfortable for everyone else that is not part of the problem.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Idk how our police can be overwhelmed by the suspects they are familiar with already.
They say it’s a cat n mouse game but I’d say it’s more akin to “ Narc-network run wild.”
We’ve caught up to the times in a less than glorious manner.
I actually want peace, justice, and Godly hearts.
Not a slogan or to be dismissed. This is for you all and your families as well.
Thank you Shari and ridgeview news for your time, dedication and reporting.
And God bless you and your family for what you’re going through and continue to bring us a local news source. Former residents would dearly love to return if/when they see improvement.
Aside from that we’d have gossip and innuendo to sort through.
While I don’t know facts and details of this incident. It does seem to be the new template of processing citizens inquiries.
Everyone…pray for improvement!..we can do better.