Property Reassessment

September 30, 2008

Reassessment exec’s vehicle vandalized

21st Century Appraisals chief said his van was targeted at Courthouse Square Towers.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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Luzerne County reassessment company representative Tim Barr says someone threw a brick at his parked van Thursday while he was in the county on business, and he has no doubt he was “targeted.”

“Mine was the only vehicle vandalized. It’s too coincidental,” said Barr, of 21st Century Appraisals Inc.

His van had been in the parkade of the Courthouse Square Towers building, which is located on River Street near the county courthouse. The county rents space in the building for 21st Century, and the parkade has labeled spots reserved for the company.

The van was in the parkade from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. while Barr was doing work in the county assessor’s office.

Barr said he left to attend a WVIA-TV show about reassessment and noticed the damage when he stopped for gas on the way. A rectangular imprint was left on the dented trim and chipped passenger window. When the show was over, Barr returned to the parkade and found a half-brick where his van had been parked.

The shape of the brick matched the impression, he said.

Barr said he knows his van had not been damaged before it was in the parkade because he’s made it a habit to check his vehicle since someone kicked and dented the door of county assessment director Tony Alu’s vehicle during a county commissioners meeting in Ashley this summer.

Barr contacted city police to report the damage in case he needs a report for his insurance. He said that’s how the incident became public, because he did not seek out media attention.

“That’s not my style,” he said.

Barr said he has been receiving county sheriff escorts after public meetings.

“I felt embarrassed by that. Who wants an escort? You feel like you shouldn’t need one, but if the pattern of violence and threats continues to grow … ,” Barr said.

He believes someone saw him driving to the courthouse or inside the courthouse and sought out his vehicle.

“I – and everyone involved with the reassessment – worked hard to answer questions and provide information and do good work for the county,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that a minority of the taxpayers will become stirred up to the point of threatening or becoming violent.”

Barr said he’s never personally received a threat while working on reassessments in other counties, though some of his employees have been threatened.

Sheriff deputies have been providing security during public meetings and at the Hazleton and Plains Township reassessment centers because of threatening behavior.

A Lehman Township man was cited with disorderly conduct earlier this month after reassessment workers at the Plains Township center said he threatened to shoot them and burn down the office. A woman said she wanted to smash county Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla’s head into a toilet during a break in a commissioner meeting, Petrilla said.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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