KNOX—A first-time candidate wants to shake things up in Knox, a town that has had the same supervisor for over three decades.
"We need a change of regime, so to speak," said Mark Von Haugg. "When somebody is in an office for an extended period of time, they get complacent."

The Knox Republican Committee has selected Von Haugg as its candidate for supervisor in November’s election. The current supervisor, Democrat Michael Hammond, has been in office since 1973.

In a town where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one, the GOP got two candidates elected to the town board in the last election after a court decision took the Democrats’ names off the ballot because paperwork had been filed late. The Democrats launched a write-in campaign which re-elected Hammon, a retired teacher who has a wood-working business.

Von Haugg has lived in Knox since 1969. He is self-employed in the telecommunications business.

According to Patricia Gage, chair of the Knox Republican Committee and a town councilwoman, Von Haugg will be joined on the ticket with Helene O’Clair, a candidate for councilperson, Kimberly Swain for tax collector, and incumbent Gary Salisbury for highway superintendent.

There is a second position open on the town board, but the Republicans have not announced another candidate.

The Republicans have yet to decide on a platform for the election, Gage said.

Democrats

Von Haugg and the Republicans will face a Democratic slate largely made up of long-time office holders.

According to Maynard Porter, chair of the Knox Democratic Committee, Hammond will be running again, along with councilmen Nicholas Viscio and Charles Conklin. Viscio is seeking a fourth four-year term and Conklin is seeking a third.
"The main reason for selecting these people is because we have seen they can do a good job," Porter said.
The Democrats are also sponsoring incumbents Deborah Liddle for town clerk and Delia "Barney" Palombo for tax collector. Liddle is unopposed.

August Landauer will be the Democrat’s candidate for highway superintendent. After 20 years on the job, Landauer lost to Salisbury two years ago after late-filed paperwork took his name off the ballot and the write-in votes for him didn’t count since his name appeared on the ballot on a third-party line.
"We’re sure he’s going to do a good job if he wins," Porter said. "We’re not taking anything for granted."

The only Democratic newcomer to the election is Jean Gagnon, who will be running unopposed for town justice.
"We went around and looked for a good candidate," Porter said.

Justice John Rodd Jr., a Democrat, will not seek reelection.

There are no major issues facing the town this year on which the Democratic candidates will campaign, Porter said.
"All we’re trying to do is provide the best candidates and the most dedicated servants that we can provide for the town," Porter said. "That’s all."