| By Bob Weaver
America's politics are being driven by social media, from political websites to Twitter and Facebook.
It is a new normal, filtering down to rural Calhoun County.
Monday at a commission meeting, Commissioner Chip Westfall said he was disturbed that rumors and accusations have been rampant on Facebook, Twitter and social media, making outright lies about actions by commissioners, indicating commissioners cannot be trusted.
Commissioner Helmick said, "I have no problem with people taking positions regarding actions or policies, but I have a hard time when
people post statements that are suppose to be facts, but are just lies."
"I've tried hard not to respond to repeated attacks," said Helmick, "And maybe I shouldn't."
Westfall said one widely circulated post attacking him and Commissioner Helmick, said, "I wouldn't go to the commissioners for help on anything. Helmick and Westfall said last month in the meeting that people in Arnoldsburg and up the West Fork isn't smart enough to run a voting machine. So why have them help at all."
"Good Lord, never happened, not even in private," Westfall said.
"The statements were posted by Melissa Falls, a former candidate for Calhoun Commission and a former employee of the Calhoun Sheriffs Department," Helmick said.
Helmick said he had responded to her "after she posted such information for months."
Westfall said being a commissioner at times can be rough, without dealing with ill-founded social media attacks.
"I guess politicians are suppose to just hunker down and take it, but it is personal and some of it was directed toward my family," Helmick concluded.
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