To the Editor:

As Election Day draws near, I'd like to thank the voters in Knox who gave me a few moments of their time in my door-to-door campaign. For the ones I missed, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Ken Saddlemire and I am seeking your vote for councilman on the Knox Town Board in a write-in campaign.

I am a lifelong resident of Knox. I live on Becker Road with my wife of 35 years, Margery. We are owners and operators of a fourth-generation dairy farm. Our two adult children live in Knox. In 1978, I graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School and received an associate degree from Morrisville State University in 1980.

As we started our family, I became involved with the Knox Volunteer Fire Company where I have been a member for 31 years. I have held several line officer positions including chief. During my time as chief, I led committees that designed and purchased two fire trucks, "Jaws of Life" rescue tools, and a county dry-hydrant program.

I served 10 years on the Knox Board of Assessment Review. During the current comprehensive plan update, I've attended meetings and workshops as well as many monthly meetings.

During this time, I also was a den leader for Cub Scouts and a parent volunteer for New Scotland Pop Warner and Berne-Knox-Westerlo Little League.

My goals are clear: Move forward on the comprehensive plan update; provide our town employees a clean and safe facility to work in, as well as competitive wage and benefit packages; work with the youth council, Berne-Knox-Westerlo athletics, the Nature Center and Thatcher Park to utilize all park facilities; support senior services; improve town infrastructure; stand by our emergency services and the volunteers that staff them; and lower the tax burden on all town residents.

I support the Second Amendment, freedom of speech, the Pledge of Allegiance, and I stand for the national anthem.

Your vote counts! Please vote for me on Election Day as a write-in candidate.

Ken Saddlemire

Knox