To the Editor:

I didn’t think I would be writing again so soon but the current state of Knox politics has influenced my decision.

I would first like to correct Mr. [Knox Councilman Eric] Kuck who so kindly twisted my words when he wrote his article a few weeks ago. I stated that Vas [Lefkaditis, Knox supervisor] is a human like us all and sometimes says brash things in the heat of a discussion or debate. I also said that no one should take it to heart and should instead simply focus on the bigger issues, like running the town!

I mean it’s pretty easy to see why someone gets so upset when the entire board is against him almost every step of the way. Nowhere did I use the words “natural” or “normal”  or suggest that his behavior should be “accepted” as that. I simply stated that it happens to us all, especially when we are passionate about something we care about.

Vas at least genuinely cares about this town thriving and has proved that through his leadership this past year. Stop trying to distract from the reforms he has brought and continues to fight for.

As much as the town board so desperately wants former Supervisor [Michael] Hammond back, I have news for you: He isn’t coming back, so start working with our elected supervisor and continue growing this town and stop looking at the past.

Let’s look ahead at the bright future we could potentially have! I already outlined in September the positive changes that have resulted from Vas’s leadership.

To suggest last week that the Knox election could be a miniature version of the national politics when it comes to “gamesmanship over compromise or hostility over comradery” is just outright ridiculous. We don’t have that in Knox and we are not turning into that.

We are simply having a spirited debate between the old, do-nothing ways of Knox governance and the new, revitalized way of governance. New ideas are brought about, new people are brought in, and positive reforms are enacted.

Without some type of spirited debate, we have nothing to gain. Don’t mistake this for our presidential election.

In regards to the town board race, I’ve had enough of the blame game. Sure, it could be a sleazy play by the Democrats to get Ken off the ballot like the Republicans did years ago to the Democrats but the Republicans should have at least had the paperwork in earlier.

However, I will say it’s funny that, in Mr. [Ed] Nicholson’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 13 Enterprise, he says Supervisor Vas tried to limit the choice for voters by nominating Ken at the Democrat caucus, yet who threw Ken off the ballot, limiting the voters’ choice? The Democrats.

That doesn’t matter now; it’s done and over with. I mean who honestly cares about which line a candidate is on anyway? It should not matter. It didn’t matter when I, a Republican, voted for and supported Supervisor Lefkaditis! It’s not about the party but the person himself and his vision for our future!

With that, we have to focus on writing in Ken Saddlemire for town board so we can continue the change and growth of Knox for the better. I’m sorry Ken is subject to these outlandish letters, suggesting he was involved in a conspiracy to be on both party lines and limit the choice of voters.

It’s all rubbish and voters should look past it all. Instead, focus on learning about the type of man Ken is and what he wants for Knox.

Ken is an upstanding community-oriented man who not only deserves our vote but has earned it already. He has been a member of our fire department for countless years, and is a hard worker on his dairy farm. He has invested his time, money, and energy into our community and is now looking to serve it.

He is an active listener and natural-born leader, ready to voice his opinion and ensure a better future, something I want to see when I return to Knox. He is knowledgeable about the town, having served on the Knox Board of Assessment Review and will be ready to get to work on day one!

The fact that Ken is running a write-in campaign and is determined to keep fighting really shows what he will do for you and me. Just remember to circle the bubble for write-in candidate under the “town board”  column on your ballot and write his name correctly. We can’t do it without you!

Lastly, in an unrelated matter, I would like the cowards who stole a political yard sign from my property at the corner of Becker Road and Berne-Altamont Road to please return it. It is childish, cowardly, and frankly a crime — and you should be ashamed of yourself.

We talk about tolerance for other people’s views and I would think in Knox this would be a non-issue. Guess I was wrong

Josh VonHaugg

Knox

Editor’s note: Josh VonHaugg, a Knox native, is currently a senior at Hilbert College in western New York.