To the Editor:

We’ve been following the Berne Highway Department story for weeks now.  I am not a resident of Berne, but am in her sister town, Knox, since 1978.

1. The 11 most feared words in the American language (note I did not say English because we lost that a long time ago) are: I am from the government and I am here to help. At this time, any citizen of this great country should know, if you hear these words, run, do not walk, from the person saying them!

2. Politics equals pettiness. It has been my long experience that when local "politicians" get involved in anything, what once was a simple problem to fix, somehow becomes so massive, that you can't tell which end is up — same in Knox, where the new supervisor has yet to do anything about cleaning this town up (with regard to run-down, filthy and abandoned properties,  trash, etc. - which brings all of our property values down); ending all the bi-partisan squabbling and actually accomplishing something would be a start!

3. I would have begged, pleaded, and bargained for a four-day workweek — once you are at work, you're at work. Eight hours, 10 hours — does it really matter?  I believe I am in the solid majority of working people when I say this.

4. I come from a family that has been involved in unions since their inception.  Give it up — their usefulness ended a long time ago.With all the laws that are in effect, an employer would be in serious legal trouble if "abuse" were authenticated.

5. Who in God’s name gets their healthcare for free these days? Only government employees, my friends. And, by the way, that is for life! When the average person in this state has to pay $500 or more for a single-person policy with a $6,000 deductible something is very wrong.  Obamacare?  How about Noodycare?

6. The Taylor Law was put into effect, if one remembers their history, during the air controllers’ contract negotiations, basically making it illegal for state or federal employees to go on strike during negotiations.

I cannot tell you how sick and tired I am of politics. With the presidential campaigns, it is so obvious that my husband has been right for all these years. There are no statesmen left, only carpetbaggers. If you don't know the words "statesman" or "carpetbagger,” look them up.

Thank you for letting me vent and I hope [Knox supervisor] Mr. Lefkaditis sees this letter and realizes he has some very disappointed backers here in Knox.  My husband said to me that you will not print this letter due to "PC” [political correctness]. I hope he is wrong.

Denise and Kent Vertefeuille

Knox