The Supreme Court on March 15th, 2024, ruled that public officials who post about topics relating to their work on their personal social media accounts are acting on behalf of the government, and therefore can be held liable for violating the First Amendment when they block their critics, only when they have the power to speak on behalf of the state and are actually exercising that power.
When researching liability because of the Town of Grantsville’s outgoing elected officials social media behavior, I found that ruling interesting. The Town’s antics have not stopped at the difference of governing opinions, (which I don’t believe anyone would have an issue with) but the Mayor and a few others appear to have taken it upon themselves to try and destroy what they left standing during their tenure in political office, including private citizens, businesses, differing elected officials and without concern for the repercussions to either side.
Struggling with my own personal issues (caring for my mother) I had taken a step back after the 2025 election to let things settle down, and try to still the chaos in my mind and heart. And then this:
The image of this post was shared to me by someone with access to Mayor Robert Petrovsky’s Facebook page. I do not have the time nor the stomach to go searching for negativity. There’s enough that finds it’s way into my life the way it is. But the nausea and what I’ll deem as justifiable anger that happened upon my receipt of these post, was something I wasn’t going to ignore.
The Mayor, staff and select council members have proven what those who campaigned against them knew. They didn’t have the best interest of the City at heart, else they’d never try to destroy businesses, opportunities and private citizens who own businesses or are involved in politics.
The Mayor’s attacks did not stop with the two listed here against Crystal Mersh. He further attacked the character and business of others with disgusting false statements. While few people chimed in on his and their revolting behavior, this is where someone has to stand solid on the defense of our community.
Let me be clear about anything I have to gain by this article. I have nothing to gain, but much to lose if the community doesn’t take heart.
Crystal Mersh is an Advertiser of Ridgeview. She, like others, pay $100 month for each ad space on the banner. I assure you I do not make a profit on Ridgeview. I do this because I was led to do it by the Lord, and it has come with some very hard days. Not asking for sympathy, stating a fact. Crystal Mersh is my friend. I have friends on all sides of the political and business spectrum. I can be your friend and not agree.
But I cannot be silenced. Ask my husband. I made a promise to God that I would print only the truth. And if you don’t think that’s serious read Numbers 16.
I will let the Mayors posts stand for themselves. But ask everyone in the community this:
Are you willing to allow the first opportunity this community has had to prosper and be a place of prosperity for our children to live, to be destroyed because of the behavior of a few disgruntled people who are upset that they lost control?
FCI Gilmer opened in 2003 and was absolutely shut down from happening in Calhoun County. because of a democrat controlled government and area business leaders who feared change and a loss of control. I personally watched it and was so discouraged that nobody stood in the gap for the people who needed jobs.
I have six grandchildren, two that just graduated high school. And I’ll be doggone if I allow 2003 to happen on my watch without saying something.
Robin and Crystal Mersh have invested, themselves 10 million dollars into the 1982 Foundation project. Because of her and her connections, we are in the running for a multi million facility that will provide opportunity for 350 people to make approximately $100,000 a year, with training provided. I don’t care if you like her personally, but are you willing to turn your back on the children and families of this community that stand to gain a better life from her investments because of your personal feelings? The Mayor is.
The Mayor’s comment on “who really wants a recovery center in little ol Grantsville?” Caused me great anxiety. I could not fathom that one man , who ironically retired from FCI Gilmer prison which is full of ex or maybe not ex drug addicts, could be so heartless not to care about a community plagued with drug abuse. I’ll tell you who cares about a recovery center… any mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister or friend that has someone addicted to drugs. May God have mercy on us and bring us help for recovery. Recovery on substance abuse, economy and above all recoveryt on the apathy and depression this community has lived with for a century.
I sat on my porch today, so aggravated that I am so behind on so many things to do with Ridgeview News. I am thankful for those of you who have stuck with me as I go through this unchartered territory with my family who is caring for our mother with dementia. I’m grateful for every friend who has encouraged me and stayed faithful in my absence from their lives.
I bare no ill will toward any of these people who are against me and the progress of Calhoun County. But sitting silent, and allowing a washed up politician and his friends to get their jolly’s and laugh at the tearing apart of the spirit of a community and sending them back into the pit of disparity with which we’ve been living with is intolerable. We are on the brink of great things happening, and those who can’t have it or the credit for it, don’t want you to have it either.
We’ve Gotta Stand!
