To the Editor:

It’s that time of year again when Linus retells the tale of the “Great Pumpkin” who rises from the pumpkin patch and gives presents to all those who believe in him.

Coincidentally, and maybe ironically, it’s also the time of the year when voters are asked to place that same type of blind faith in the latest “Great Pumpkin” who, in this election cycle, has risen to “save” the town of Knox.

Yes, simply believe in the “Great Pumpkin” by casting your vote and he will rescue you by restoring “integrity, and respect, and honesty, and transparency” to town government. Sadly, it’s just another fairy tale.

Now, I’m sure this year’s version of the “Great Pumpkin,” Mr. [Russell] Pokorny, is a decent sort, but it’s my guess that it’s just another rotten apple he is trying to throw in your goody bag.

Have town board meetings been contentious at times? Yes.

Is the current supervisor responsible for the “incivility?” No.

Most of the hobgoblins who have descended on town meetings have risen from the same pumpkin patch as the current challenger.

Why? Because they are not now in control.

And, why have they been so uncivil? Because they, like Mr. Pokorny, want to dictate to the majority and impose their narrow-minded will on the rest of us.

They are fear mongers who accuse the current supervisor of being a “ghoul” because they want to stifle all progress.

They promote and offer stagnation over progress. They want no change: no country store, no place to socialize with your neighbors, no conveniences, no amenities, no improvements, no growth, no job opportunities for teens.

If we are not careful, these zombies will take over, and Knox will become a place where only they and their cronies will benefit. That should scare all of us.

Knox is for everyone. Not just the few who want to tell you and me how to live.

It is possible to retain the rural character that makes Knox so special and — at the same time — have opportunities and growth. Don’t let them fool you into believing otherwise.

This election, please vote for progress and good government. Not paternalism, cronyism, and stagnation.

Please vote for Dennis Cyr, Bonnie Donati, June Springer, Traci Schanz, Vas Lefkaditis, and Elizabeth Walk.

Ernest Cupernall

Knox

Editor’s note: Ernest Cupernall is a member of the Knox Conservation Advisory Council.

Dee Woessner, who chairs the Knox Democratic Committee, responded to the paragraph that begins, “They promote and offer stagnation over progress”: “The Republicans are determined to cast the Democrats in Knox as anti-business. That isn't true. Many residents love the quiet rural aspect of Knox, so businesses that don’t infringe on their neighborhoods can be welcome. But not all businesses are viable, given our population density.  There have been problems with certain businesses not being able to survive — the lack of a store isn’t due to any action by Democrats, it’s partly due to not enough people shopping there. When we investigated the possibility of a gas station, it was found that no supplier wanted to deliver gasoline in the low volume that could be sold here. It’s a lot easier to point fingers and say it’s all the fault of Democrats, but it’s simply not true.

“We can do things to encourage local businesses, and will if our candidates are elected. We won’t pretend to be pro-business by creating meaningless zoning changes that few people seem to want, but by seeing how we can help local businesses survive. The Farm and Artisans Tour is one example, increasing exposure for local businesses. Starting businesses identical to those that have failed in the past (e.g. the Knox Store) isn’t helping, although it’s interesting that, no matter whether a business succeeds or fails, those involved in selling or financing the properties make money. A critical need for businesses is the access to high-speed internet, which has been neglected during the past four years and appears no closer to reality.”