To the Editor:

When I was growing up, my mom instilled in me the following morals that I in turn have passed down to my children. To this day, most all of my childhood lessons still hold true, especially the lessons of respect.

This said, sadly, more and more I witness both in person and in the public eye (including the media), a lack of respect toward each other and toward those in elected positions.

Anyone who has ever participated in or coached a competitive sport from the pee-wee division on up knows the lessons that are taught to each team member. To sum it up in just a few words: Respect, teamwork, and dedication. Each member has a role to play.

At the start of each game, you shake hands and say, “May the best team win.” And, at the end of the game, you congratulate the winner.

The elected officials in our local governments got there by a majority vote. The position these people hold are positions of respect, won by a majority vote.

Realistically, if we disrespect even one of these positions, where does it end? How do you teach your children respect when you disrespect by choice?

Recently, there has been a big controversy going on in the town where I live. Having read the reports in this paper and having listened to fellow town residents and even read some gossip on Facebook, I decided to attend our town board meeting.

Never, and let me repeat this, never have I ever witnessed such disrespect toward elected officials as I did at this meeting. The tone of voice alone would have been enough to get my mouth slapped by my mom had I ever spoken to anyone in authority the way the town supervisor was addressed by more than one resident.

This paper says it was standing-room-only yet I had an empty seat both next to and behind me. The ones in attendance, although vocal, do not represent the whole town and I, for one, was not sitting with them.

I was there to listen and to come to my own conclusion. Listening, I became so upset by the lack of respect surrounding me, I too spoke up. Not quoted in this paper, nor even asked for my name, I will say here what I stated publicly.

All members of the town board elected by a majority vote deserve our respect and, when you come before them, you should do so respectfully.

In addressing the current issue at hand, I would like to conclude this letter in the following manner.

Anyone who has ever dealt with a personal issue, of any kind, knows the rules of speaking publicly. Addressing the board and expecting to hear an answer is not going to happen, especially when the answer involves an individual.

Watching the wife of one of the individuals in question carry on and continue to address the board in a disrespectful manner, in my opinion, is not much short of bizarre.

Watching a small group of town residents, including those who have lost in previous elections, address the current board so disrespectfully is really quite sad.

Many everyday things go on in the overseeing of all town business. There are reasons there is a government in place to carry on this work. The pay is not the reason most choose to put themselves out there; it is public service.

Under the current, majority-voting board, in our town, I have witnessed positive change in all areas of our town. The latest of which was our youth council putting on a winter fest, for our community. What a great afternoon I spent at our town park, watching kids from our town truly enjoy the fresh air on a sunny, late winter day.

June Springer

Knox

Editor’s note: Jeremy Springer, June Springer’s son, is one of the three men hired by the town to work at the Knox transfer station, replacing the three who were not reappointed on New Year’s Day.