To the Editor:

My name is Dennis Cyr and I am running for the Knox Town Board. My wife and I are raising our family in Knox and have lived and been involved in the community for 15 years.

This year, voting in the town of Knox starts with early voting during the last week of October, ending on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The townspeople are going to decide who they want to represent them. In the last election, residents chose “person” over “party.” I would like to be the person for this election to represent the town of Knox on the town board and I would like to share my views with you to help you make an informed choice in the election.

I believe a town board member has a responsibility to the taxpayers to be a good custodian of their tax dollars by researching before spending to get the best value, by negotiating contracts and pricing, and by saving money when there is no real need to spend it.

The town board also has a responsibility to ensure all town employees are provided continuing education on procedures with their handbook, job responsibilities, health and safety, and a yearly review to address any issues.

The town board also has a responsibility to protect the assets of the town and ensure that they are well-maintained, running efficiently, and safe for employees and residents.

I want to promote our town — improve the sense of community in our town and give our residents, both young and old, memories in our town that would last a lifetime.

One way to do this is to support local businesses through open communication. For example, putting them in the town newsletter or having a message board at Town Hall and the transfer station to put their company information. This would help the local business grow and help residents find the services they need.

I believe encouraging new businesses — “Mom and Pop” type shops (not “big box”) for the people of Knox — would not only be convenient for current residents, but also attract young families and help encourage our children to stay and start their own families in our town. Children are our future and the lifeline of our town. At the same time, I recognize it is critical to keep the rural, small-town character of our town.

Another way to build our community is to continue to upgrade our parks and provide residents a place to gather while the kids play on the new playground or enjoy other outdoor activities. The second stage of the playground is a community center that all our residents would be able to use and enjoy year-round.  This could be funded through grants and fundraising, without placing any burden on taxpayers.

I believe in promoting all our youth programs, including the Knox Youth Council, the new Helderberg Family and Community Organization, Little League, softball, soccer, 4-H, and one of the hidden gems of Knox — Camp Lovejoy, to name a few.  These programs and events such as the Pucker Street Fair, and the fall and winter festivals, are all ways to build a community and memories.

We have an aging community and we need to have incentives for our kids, grandkids, and — for some of you — great-grand kids, to stay and raise their families and welcome new families. I said earlier that children are the lifeline and future of the town. At the same time, we need to not forget our seniors who worked so hard to pave the way for our town by ensuring there are programs and services to meet their needs.

I have many life experiences that I believe will help me serve you if I am elected to the town board. For instance, I have lived in many countries and different towns so I can appreciate not only all that our town has to offer, but also the views of other places.

I served in the United States Navy as Hull Technician Petty Officer 3rd Class and have nearly 30 years of experience in business — both large and small — and 14 years of experience in managing staff.  I own my own business, Mountainview Prosthetics, which for 12 years I operated out of my home in Knox, so I am aware of the daily struggles of running a business in the Hilltowns. Finally, I am experienced in time management, budgeting, human resources, and marketing. 

I have also been involved in our community in a variety of different ways, including the Town of Knox Zoning Board of Appeals, the Community Center Committee, the Hometown Heroes Committee, and the Pucker Street Fair Committee. I have sponsored and volunteered for many youth activities, and am a past Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander, Legionnaire and Legion Rider, and past chairman for the Altamont Memorial Parade.

I ask you to consider all my experience and respectfully ask for your support in this election. I pledge to you that I will be a dedicated and fair member of the Knox Town Board.  

Dennis Cyr

Knox