To the Editor:

Thank you for your thorough and informative article last week about the Jan. 12 meeting of the Knox Planning Board (“Planning board gives thumbs down to a second business district – again”). A correction must be made, however.

I did not reproach the board’s chairman, Bob Price. I was very disappointed not to have had the opportunity to address the planning board in session, but this was the result of miscommunication.

At the conclusion of the meeting I did not hear a call for public comment, and the chairman did not know I wished to speak before the board, and so the meeting was adjourned. After the meeting, Mr. Price and I had a conversation that was cordial and, I believe, constructive — precisely the sort of give-and-take that I think the planning board should wish to undertake with the community prior to its vote on any important townwide issue such as its recommendation to the town board with respect to a potential business district centered on the junction of state highways 156 and 157.

My experience is that Chairman Price has always conducted planning board meetings in an open and fair manner, and my inability to speak at the meeting is of little or no consequence, particularly as the period for public comment was scheduled on the meeting agenda to be held after the board’s discussion and vote.  I’m confident that I shall be able to speak to the issue at other meetings and in other forums.

Ray Hand

Knox