To the Editor:

A little over 35 years ago, my husband and I moved to the Hilltowns to live and to raise our family.

We first rented in East Berne. Five years later, we bought our home. At our closing, we realized our house wasn't actually in Berne, but in Knox. It was literally across the road.

For years, I attended Berne functions, managed the Berne Little League teams, etc. I never felt comfortable being from Knox, until recently.

I have been reading The Altamont Enterprise for most all of my life. It is through this paper’s reporting that I have been reading about the changes in the town of Knox. These changes seem hopeful and positive.

“For something stagnant, withers and dies.” This quote is how I have felt towards the town of Knox for years, until recently. Enter Vas Lefkaditis, and I see positive change happening. Vas has nothing to gain personally, except a better place to raise his family.

Vas brought, with his move to our town, energy, honesty, and a positive outlook. He is willing to put his time in to ensure Knox becomes a better place to live.

It is easy to sit back and complain about all that is wrong. It is hard to work toward a better tomorrow, especially when in doing so, those once in your chair must become a part of the past and those sitting next to you want things to remain the same and, in feeling this way, fail to open their minds and give change a chance.

Vas was voted into office by a majority vote. Town board members, you need to realize this and support your supervisor.

I read the “Knox News” [the town’s new newsletter] and my reaction was that, in that simple newsletter, I learned more about the town than I read on Facebook in a year put together — job well done.

Now, I read it wasn't presented correctly. Really, it wasn't political until members of the board made it that way, against their supervisor, elected to office by the majority.

I attended “Fall into Knox” with my now-adult children and had a great time, socializing, buying local goods, and meeting Vas and his family. They were all giving freely of their time and energy, bringing Knox together.

I must ask, where were the rest of our elected officials? Not a single one other than Vas offered their hand in friendship.

What I admire in Vas is his ability to put it right out there. Call it out, as I like to say. Oh, it’s not always the most popular thing to do in our "politically correct" world of today, yet, you can trust his word.

Holding one accountable to his elected position is hard to do yet is refreshing to see, especially when you see that, no matter how hard it is to do, Vas is willing to stand up and speak clear.

Not a one of us is perfect and each day is a new opportunity to be better at what we do.

Grudges do not belong in small-town politics. Honest, open-door (in the best interest of all community members) decision-making does.

"Bring it to the table”: When you live in a hard-working middle-class town, that statement, at times, means going to the community members and listening to them on their turf. Being a part of the community we live in. Vas does this each day, in a variety of ways.

Vas will shake your hand, look you in the eye, and listen to what you have to say. He will think it over, weigh it all, and react in the way he believes will better our community.

Vas brings with him knowledge and experience. He is willing to work hard for the community he moved to, with his hopes and dreams of raising his children in small-town America.

Before you listen to rumor or listen to people with an ax to grind, listen to the man. I have, and with his energy, I feel positively hopeful for our town.

I catch myself in conversation saying, “I'm from Knox,” and then I smile and think to myself, “That feels good.”

I will be attending more meetings and listening to what is being brought to the table. I will again spend my free time offering to help improve my sense of community I have been a part of for years and now, feel I belong.

Thank you, Vas Lefkaditis, keep up the great work. Change isn't always easy and it can take time, yet it is so very much worth it.

June M. Springer

Knox