In a troubling display of power, North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec has come under fire for involving local police in a personal vendetta against a resident over a spoof Facebook page that criticizes him. Tylec's actions, which included dispatching two uniformed officers to question Jacob Quinn, an employee at Restful Sleepin’, raise serious concerns about the abuse of authority by an elected official.
The controversy erupted when Tylec expressed his concerns about the parody page, which has been active for two years and, according to him, has caused confusion among residents. He labeled Quinn an “antagonist” and claimed that the impersonation could lead to misinformation. However, Quinn, who has publicly distanced himself from the page, described the mayor's actions as a blatant misuse of power, suggesting that Tylec is weaponizing the police for personal grievances.
Quinn, who previously voted for Tylec, allowed officers to examine his phone to prove his innocence regarding the spoof page. He characterized the mayor's move as an attack and retribution for past conflicts including a 2019 incident where Quinn circulated a photo depicting Tylec as Adolf Hitler. Tylec dismissed the photo as fake, but the underlying issue remains: the mayor's response to criticism has crossed a line.
While North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass acknowledged that the spoof page is not a crime, he stated that it contains “a lot of misinformation.” This raises the question of why Tylec felt it necessary to involve law enforcement in a matter that should be addressed through dialogue and not intimidation. The Constitution protects citizens' rights to free expression and Tylec's attempt to silence dissenting voices is a concerning overreach.
The spoof page includes a clear disclaimer indicating its satirical nature. It is not the role of the mayor or police to enforce Facebook's terms of service. For Tylec to dispatch police officers over a matter of free speech is not only shocking but also indicative of a troubling mindset among public officials who cannot tolerate criticism.
Quinn's assertion that Tylec has targeted him for years adds another layer to this controversy. The mayor's apology during a recent board meeting, where he offered to explain the situation to Quinn's employer, does little to mitigate the damage done. In fact, the apology sounded insincere and condescending: “So, I will apologize, though, that they went to your place of work, and I’d be happy to call your boss and explain the situation further."
At no time did he apologize, or attempt to explain, the abuse of power by ordering police officers, of whom he essentially signs their paychecks, to harass a resident. It is a stark reminder that the misuse of power can have real consequences for individuals who simply wish to express their opinions.
The mayor's behavior not only undermines the principles of democracy but also sets a dangerous precedent for how public officials engage with their constituents.
It should be troubling for all residents of North Tonawanda that a leader would resort to intimidation tactics to silence criticism.
Mayor Austin Tylec Faces Backlash for Ordering Police to Intimidate Resident over Spoof Facebook Page