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Residents say suspended vice mayor misrepresents council and public comments on social media; town asked to clarify
Summary
Several residents at the Aug. 10 Purcellville meeting accused suspended Vice Mayor Ben Nett of using public comments and town titles in social-media posts and mailers in ways that could mislead residents; they asked the town to clarify whether such materials are authorized.
Multiple residents told the Purcellville Town Council on Aug. 10 that materials circulated by the suspended vice mayor and others have used public-comment excerpts and town titles in ways that may mislead the public.
Joan Lair said she had contacted law enforcement and could not find reports documenting the threats described in Mr. Nett's posts, and she asked directly whether the town "consider[s] them authorized communications with the town council." Lair urged the council to make clear when a communication is official and to prevent use of council titles that could suggest town endorsement.
"If an individual is using the name of the town council, the title of vice mayor when he's been suspended, or other official town designations in a way that suggests council endorsement or authorization when none exists, that needs to be addressed," Lair said. Several other speakers said they felt uncomfortable providing addresses or speaking because their remarks had been shared online.
The town attorney did not make an immediate legal finding at the Aug. 10 session; he said staff would prepare the notice for the continued meeting and include an agenda item directing him to file the petition, but he did not state whether the town would pursue action related to alleged misuse of council titles or alleged misrepresentation in mailers during the hearing.
