Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I rarely write a letter to the editor. In my 26-year local government management career, this is only the second I have written. However, it is important that as a public servant, I take this opportunity to speak directly to the public about recent activities on Facebook.

In an effort to protect the privacy of my children and to shield them from the negative impacts of my public career, I do not use social media. I have no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or LinkedIn profile. I was recently informed, however, that a Facebook profile with my name and picture, and pictures of my children, did exist. Upon contacting Facebook, the imposter page was immediately removed.

In the brief time the imposter page was active, Facebook users invited me to defend myself against accusations in a discussion group called the “Concerned Residents of Mathews VA.” This group was created by “Mathews native Jimmy Hudgins,” which—as it turns out&m...