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A routine visit to Evans, New York Town Hall turned into a heated confrontation when a simple request for a business card triggered an explosive reaction from a town employee. The incident, captured on video by citizen journalist Dan from documenting government accountability, exposes troubling attitudes toward public transparency in this Erie County municipality.
Professional Start Turns Sour
Dan began his visit professionally, engaging with town council members about concerns regarding "recording strictly prohibited" signs posted in the police department lobby. He explained to a council woman that such restrictions violate both constitutional protections and New York State's Right to Monitor Act, which explicitly protects the public's right to record police in public spaces.
The council woman listened respectfully to Dan's concerns about the legally questionable signage. Their exchange remained cordial and professional, setting expectations for how public servants should interact with citizens seeking accountability.
Assessment Office Questions Spark Tension
Things took a dramatic turn when Dan moved to the assessor's office with legitimate questions about property assessment appeals. He asked basic transparency questions: how many residents challenged their assessments last year, how many got reductions, and when the town last conducted a revaluation.
Jennifer in the assessor's office initially answered his questions matter-of-factly. Ten people appealed, two or three got reductions, and the last revaluation happened in 2008. But when Dan asked for the assessor's business card, the atmosphere shifted completely.
The Explosion Over a Business Card
What happened next defied all expectations of professional public service. When Dan simply asked if the assessor had a business card available, an employee identified as the assessor exploded with hostility.
"Obviously, you guys aren't residents. You're just here to start trouble," she declared, immediately making assumptions about Dan's intentions. When he calmly explained he was asking simple questions about government operations, she escalated further: "Go to police and file harassment."
The Real Issue Emerges
The confrontation revealed the employee's real concern wasn't about harassment or disruption. When Dan asked if the public has a right to government transparency, she replied, "Oh, yeah, 100% public without freaking cameras."
Her admission exposed the truth: she had no problem with public accountability until she realized it was being documented. The presence of a camera recording her public service transformed routine government business into what she perceived as a personal attack.
A Tale of Two Responses
The stark contrast between employees became even more apparent as Dan noted how everyone else in the building maintained professionalism throughout his visit. Council members, building department staff, and other employees handled his questions appropriately, treating him as any other member of the public seeking information.
Only one employee lost composure when faced with the simple accountability measure of having her public service documented on camera.
What the Camera Captured
The incident raises serious questions about training, accountability, and professional standards in Evans Town Hall. But the full scope of this confrontation and how it ultimately resolved can only be understood by watching the complete interaction unfold on video.
See exactly how this explosive confrontation played out and decide for yourself whether this is the kind of public service Evans residents deserve.
