To the Editor:

I hope you read my interview with Melissa Hale-Spencer in last week’s Enterprise. I would like to expand on what I said and let you know other things about me.

I’m not sure if you are aware that Knox has over 20 home-based businesses. I have supported the planning board’s expansion of home-based businesses. I have always supported smart and sustainable growth within the town.

Knox currently has two business districts. An MRD [Multi-use Residential district] located in the southwest corner of Knox and the other through our main street.

The Highlands, Knox store, and Foxenkill have been open and closed a few times. Foxenkill is being reopened again by a town resident. We need to show that we support all town businesses we currently have before we have new ones.

Knox is unique, because of its location the weather and that climb up Altamont hill. Altamont village or East Berne stores are not far away. If you live on the Hill, you are used to a little traveling for something. I still believe Knox is a bedroom community, even though some do not like that term.

For the past eight years that I have served on the Knox Town board, I have voted for zero tax increases. Also during that time period, I helped build up the town’s fund balance. I helped secure the largest amount of money — over $608,000 — ever secured by the town of Knox, when I sat together with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and helped choose the highway equipment we were to purchase with the FEMA monies.

I have supported senior services as well as senior housing. I have been involved and supported youth programs for the town of Knox for over 40 years.

I would support a committee to look into grant money as well as private money for some sort of facility for youth and seniors. It should be a Hilltown collaboration.

I believe I have been honest, fair, and level-headed when making decisions while serving on the town board. I have always been respectful with board members as well as town residents.

I believe I have not lied. Not sure it was in my DNA but I was raised not to lie.

I do believe, to help move Knox forward, it will be up to the residents to get involved. Small towns such as Knox are about the people.

Help me to help you in keeping Knox great. Finally, I always have the best interest of Knox residents when I vote. So now I ask for your vote at early voting or on Election Day.

Dennis Barber

Knox

Editor’s note: While Dennis Barber was on the town board in 2015 when the $608,000 was applied for from FEMA, according to then-Highway Superintendent Gary Salisbury, it wasn’t until Vasilios Lefkaditis took office that the money was secured.