Ridgeview’s Conversation with Mayor Terry Williams

For two years now, Ridgeview News has reported on the ins and outs, ups and downs of Calhoun County Politics. I’ve watched with joy as people have stepped up to the plate, I’ve rolled my eyes when people made their stupidity known, and I’ve drawn my brows in anger when people had to fight for the right to do good.

I do my very best to keep my dollars local, but home budgets being what they are, I, like many others shop out of town as well. Neighboring Spencer has been a favorite City of mine since childhood, I love remembering G.C. Murphys, (the closest thing we had to a mall), pay toilets (it cost you a dime to tinkle) and the Factory Outlet Store on the end of the street where the vast majority of my school clothes came from.

I make my way that direction every few weeks now. For many on the southern end of the county, they likely frequent Spencer far more. Something that I notice every single time I get there is that the City of Spencer seems to ooze pride. It’s no wonder they were an All American City in 1975 and 2004. Because of that, I reached out to Mayor Terry Williams, to find out how Spencer keeps up their appearances. If you want to “Keep up with the Jones” you have to go see the Jones’ once in a while.

I hoped Mayor Williams would shed some light on how the City of Spencer has grown over the decades, and yet maintained that since of small town quaintness that is so visible. 

Terry Williams has been mayor since the age of 24, and he now is bordering 72 years of age. For forty eight years he has been a very active leader in the government of the City of Spencer. Even recent health issues haven’t prevented him from “stopping by” the office to see how things are going but mostly working from home. 

Mayor Williams told me that “January has been a slower month than most, I have an engineer and public works director plus staff to keep the wheels turning.” 

He expressed that he has always loved being Mayor and the opportunities it has given to him. He believes his strong leadership comes from looking and listening for what folks need or want. “It’s been tough forever.” the Mayor said. 

With 2,057 people, Spencer is the 81st most populated city in the state of West Virginia out of 434 cities. It’s not the largest of cities but it’s certainly higher than the 343 citizens in Grantsville according to our 2021 census.

Grantsville is currently on the verge of an awakening in the business climate with some rays of sunshine on the horizon as City businesses and residents in and out of city limits have taken a greater interest in supporting local events. That’s exactly how it started for Spencer according to the Mayor. 

Mayor Williams told me “It takes years to make things happen. We have a large demographic shopping base that comes to our city and it has taken years and repeat marketing and keeping business open.” 

This is a lesson that Crystal Mersh, 1982 Foundation President has tried to reiterate to the businesses in the Calhoun area. Marketing is key to having success. 

 It also doesn’t hurt to know the right people. Mayor Williams said on that matter, “It’s Probably helped with me knowing people at all levels of government- being involved- being positive – I’ve been President of the West Virginia league of cities 3 times in 3 different decades. I know many people and have gotten $100 million in grants. I Have 10/12 million dollars in grant projects right now.”

Throughout the years Calhoun County has seldom had any advocates for business. There hasn’t been anyone traveling to Charleston and other larger cities on our behalf to rub elbows with those who have the power to make funding happen. But that seems to be changing as leadership changes and the community has come on board to not only hold leaders accountable but to pick up the gauntlet themselves and make things happen. 

Mayor Williams said that he is currently working on many projects including the downtown area. He likened the City of Spencer to the quarterback on the Roane County team of players that keeps the game going for everyone involved. 

In the scheme of the Grantsville/Calhoun game, I personally have never witnessed a team atmosphere. In actuality, I believe we have a serious lack of team atmosphere across the board in Calhoun County Government and Schools. I know that statement will cut. But it’s truth none the less. I could point it out and I could call out names, but I won’t. I want this article to encourage people to work together as a community not as a single entity. 

Mayor Williams did say that in Roane County, the County Government is much different than that of the City. It is probably no surprise that Walmart was the “Biggest, toughest project,” that the Mayor worked on getting to happen. He attributes the success of what happens in Spencer to having a great support system and trust. He also noted that he did indeed create controversy, “It happens everywhere” he said. 

As publisher of Ridgeview News I too have “created controversy.” It was not just for the sake of the argument, but likely as it was for Mayor Williams, for the sake of the out come. If you truly love your community, as I believe Mayor Williams does, and as the countless Calhoun folks working on building our City and Community into an aspiring All American City! 

I loved it when Mayor Williams told me “We do stuff.” 

What kind of stuff? From my perspective of their City they do stuff that make people smile. Their lampposts, decorations and community pride cause me to grin from ear to ear when I drive into their town. I do the same thing now when I drive into Grantsville as I see people and businesses making an effort. I also know the battle many have had to fight to make it happen. 

 The Mayor’s closing comments were “We like Calhoun county people and I know many. Have not met your 1982 group. But we have a broad band of support from business and industry- and Health care which is a big part of our future. We promote promote promote our community.” He also couldn’t help promoting his son in law to me as well, Joshua Downey, who is the current prosecutor of Roane county, running for circuit judge which includes Calhoun.

I didn’t write this article to only shine a light on Spencer and it’s leadership. I wanted to share the encouragement their town gives me when it comes to what I see in the future for our own. 

Let’s do stuff.