Ed Evans is shocked that he isn't the nominated Republican town council candidate for the upcoming 2003 elections. After all, he has held that position in Hamlin for 16 years and has a list of accomplishments that make it look like he has been doing the job for closer to 60 years.

However, when the dust settled from the Hamlin Republican Committee meeting April 22, two candidates received the nod for town council: Incumbent George Todd and former Hamlin Highway Superintendent and present Water Superintendent David Rose.

"The thing that really hurts about all of this is that everything I have done for the town accounted for nothing," said Evans.

Hamlin Supervisor Austin F. Warner said Evans has himself to thank for not being nominated. "There are always two sides to every story," said Warner. "If Ed would have said 'I'm running' ... George and Ed would have been the two candidates."

The Republican Nomination Committee requested that all incumbents announce in writing their intentions for the upcoming election by March 15. Evans sent a letter informing the Nomination Committee that he did not intend to run for re-election. At a March 25 Republican Committee meeting, Evans announced to the group his reasons for not continuing. Evans addressed problems he perceived that the town board has had working together and pointed to what he described as a lack of dedication and productivity by fellow members.

Within a week of the Republican Committee meeting, Evans said he received many encouraging calls that led him to change his mind about running again. In the meantime, however, Rose became a candidate for town council and Evans said he wanted to make sure he did not bump Rose out of his spot. He sent a letter to the Nomination Committee and then forwarded information to the Republican Committee members indicating that he would entertain the idea of running again if others were interested in him doing so.

Ed Wegman, Republican Nomination Committee Chair, said Evans' change of heart came too late, and therefore, the Nomination Committee was not able to put him through the formal interview process. As a result, Wegman said, Evans was not recommended by the Nomination Committee.

"It was too late for him to re-submit his intentions," said Wegman. "The rules were set for everybody." The Nomination Committee sent its recommendations out to the Republican Committee prior to the April meeting - Rose and Todd were chosen for the two open town council spots.

Evans contends that rules were not the reason he did not receive the Republican nomination. Evans said other town officals worked behind the scenes to make sure Evans was not given the committee's approval.

"They do not like my willingness to be so honest about what is going on in government," said Evans. "Basically, being bold enough to suggest out loud that all is not hunky dory in Town Hall is not acceptable to them."

Evans said he was surprised when at the April 22 meeting the Republican Committee ruled that nominations could not be received from the floor. This ruling was not consistent with past nomination meetings according to Evans and others.

Nancy Jennejahn has been on the Republican Committee since 1992 and has never missed a nomination meeting. What she witnessed on April 22 was new to her. "I could not recall one meeting in the past that did not allow nominations from the floor," said Jennejahn. "This meeting was very confusing."

Alfred Campbell, Republican Committee chair, said he did not know what was so confusing. While the committee decided not to allow nominations from the floor, the ballots allowed for write-ins and everyone present to vote knew that Evans was interested in running, said Campbell.

"Anyone who wanted to could vote for Ed," said Campbell, adding that by changing his mind Evans did not allow the Nomination Committee the opportunity to review his candidacy and nominate him. "I think if we had done anything else we would have been breaking the rules ... we had to let the majority make the decision of who would be the best candidate."

Jennejahn said the outcome of the meeting is going to cost Hamlin. "Ed has always been strong for the town," Jennejahn said. "I think Ed's leaving is going to make a difference here and it won't be for the better."

While Evans did not receive the nod from the Republican Committee, he could still be an option for voters this year. There are many different ways for him to run, including going independent, or forcing a primary. Evans could also run against Warner for town supervisor.

"I'm still trying to cope with the sting I feel as a result of that meeting," said Evans. "I can tell you one thing though, the fat lady hasn't been asked to sing."