KNOX — In other Knox elections, Democrat Jean Gagnon is the only name that will appear on the ballot for town justice, although Cheryl Frantzen has launched a write-in campaign; Delia Palombo is running for receiver of taxes, opposed by a minor-party candidate, Karen Catalfamo; and incumbent Democrat Deborah Liddle and Republican challenger Kimberly Swain are facing off for town clerk.

TOWN JUSTICE

Jean Gagnon

Jean Gagnon, a Democrat, is running to replace Judge John Rodd Jr., a Democrat who held the office for over a quarter of a century. This is Gagnon’s first run for office.
"I’ve lived in this community for nine years and I’ve lived a lot of other places and I have never before been welcomed so much," Gagnon said. "I’ve been trying for years to find different ways to give back to the community."

When the opportunity to run for judge came up, Gagnon said, she researched it and spoke to other town justices, and decided she was qualified for the job.
"I think I am exceedingly competent," Gagnon said. "I also find that the law must be upheld."

Gagnon, 49, is a veteran travel agent who manages Plaza Travel in Latham.
In her job, Gagnon, said, "I’ve had to deal with a huge variety of people," both customers and employees.

In a previous job in Syracuse, Gagnon was responsible for making travel plans for the Syracuse University athletic teams, she said, including arranging for the football team to travel to bowl games and championships.
"You have to deal with huge decisions that have to be made with people who don’t want to be told what to do," Gagnon said; it’s experience that will help her as a judge, she said, as will her extensive world travel.
On her judicial philosophy, Gagnon said, "People have to be educated both as to their rights and also their responsibilities," she said. "The law is there to protect us and guide us."
Although, in a small town, judges often know their defendants, "I really do believe the saying that justice is blind," Gagnon said. "That’s something that’s just got to be left at the door."

Gagnon said she has some college education and holds a degree from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. She lives with her artist husband, Tom, and two children. She is a member of the Hilltowns Players, the Knox Youth Council, and the Knox Democratic Committee.

A Knox town justice is paid $15,080 annually.

Cheryl Frantzen

Though her name won’t appear on the ballot, Cheryl Frantzen is staging a write-in campaign for town justice.
"I want to give the voters in the town of Knox an actual choice in the election," Frantzen said.

Frantzen, 49, has lived in Knox for 27 years. She works as a credit union compliance expert for the New York State Credit Union League. This is her first run for office.
"I didn’t know that Justice Rodd was going to be retiring," Frantzen said. "By the time I found out about it, it was too late."
If elected, Frantzen said, "I will be fair and equitable to all people. I won’t play sides."

TOWN CLERK

Deborah Liddle

Deborah Liddle, a Democrat, has been Knox’s town clerk since 2000. Before that, she was the deputy town clerk, from 1983 to 1994.

She has also been the town’s court clerk since 1996.
"I enjoy doing the job and I know what has to be done," Liddle said. "I take pride in doing a complete job and achieving results."

Liddle listed her strengths: strong organizational skills, efficient time management, quick learning, self motivation, and the ability to multi-task.

A graduate of Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, Liddle, 47, has worked for the state’s Department of Transportation for over 20 years. Her current position is as a secretary. She has also worked for Albany County and for the United States Postal Service.

Liddle is proud that many of the town and court clerks’ duties have become computerized during her tenure.
"I’ve gotten it up to speed," she said. "It was in the dark ages before that."

Recently, Liddle became certified as a notary public. Often, she said, people stop in the town hall, expecting there to be a notary.
"I can help them now," Liddle said.

As a part-time clerk, Liddle said, the hardest part of the job is getting all the work done in her limited hours. During her office hours, she has to get paperwork done and deal with the residents that come by.
"This really is a full-time work, but I’m on a part-time basis," Liddle said. "Anytime they see the lights on, they stop by."

But, she said, she doesn’t mind, even if she has to regularly stay long past her scheduled hours.

Liddle is paid $10,964 annually.

Kimberly Swain
"I think the community needs a change," said Kimberly Swain, Republican candidate for town clerk. "I just would like a little bit more accessibility."

Currently, the town clerk’s hours in the town hall are Monday and Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

If elected, Swain said, she would keep the same hours, but also meet with residents at her home, by appointment.

Swain, 27, is a life-long Knox resident.
"I didn’t move too far from my parents," she said.
Swain describes herself as a "stay-at-home mom." Her daughter, Graycie, is two years old.

Swain worked professionally before her daughter was born.
"I’ve had over 10 years of experience as an administrative assistant. I’ve had a lot of clerical background," she said.

In a job with Atlas Copco in Voorheesville, a company that sells turbines and compressors, Swain said she was a prime contact with foreign consulates, managing passport and visa applications and renewals.

Swain said she’s good at working with people.
"Every position I’ve had was customer service," she said. "I consider myself very good with the public.

RECEIVER OF TAXES

Delia Palombo

Democrat Delia Palombo is running for tax collector for the third straight year in a row. After the contested election of 2003, she was tied with her opponent, Evelyn Francis. To break the tie, the town board appointed Palombo.

Because of the tie, the state required another election last year, which Palombo won easily. Now, with her two year term expired, Palombo is running again.
"I’ve been doing it quite a few years," she said.

Palombo first ran for the position in 1981; she has held it ever since.

Palombo, 82, has lived in Knox since 1940, when she moved from Massachusetts. She and her late husband ran the Township Tavern for several years.

Palombo said she enjoys being tax collector because it allows her to meet a lot of people in the town and fills her time.
"It’s very time consuming," she said. "It gives me something to do. It keeps my mind occupied."

Often, she said, residents have questions about paying their tax bills.
"I try to help everyone that calls," she said. "I get a lot of phone calls."

The Knox receiver of taxes is paid $4,156 annually.

Karen Catalfamo

Though Palombo is unopposed by a Republican, Karen Catalfamo is running on the Independence and Conservative party lines. Catalfamo is the director of support services for 11 local and national associations, and maintains the financial records of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District.

In her publicity material, Catalfamo says she is computer proficient and will be more available to the residents and offer more efficient services than her opponent.