To the Editor:

I have gotten to know Vas Lefkaditis over the last several years through his attendance at Knox Town Board meetings and through his work on the comprehensive plan. Vas is articulate and presents his ideas well.  Throughout the comprehensive plan review process, he has submitted intelligently written comments, first on the survey itself and most recently on the compilation of comments. 

Vas is for creating business districts in areas where they would be appropriate while keeping the community rural. He lives in an old farmhouse set on 100 acres and moved here because of the rural character.  He does not want to destroy the rural character but does want to promote small businesses where appropriate.

Mike Hammond and the entire Knox Town Board wanted to close down a small, low-impact, mom-and-pop towing business on Route 146, which is a logical place to put a business.

The town was about to take the owner of the business to court with the intent of shutting her down when the attorney for the towing business filed an Article 78 proceeding in Albany County Supreme Court.  Only then did the town back off, over a year after the violation was issued.

Vas would end such selective and unfair enforcement of the 1974 zoning ordinance.

Vas Lefkaditis will seek out and listen to everyone in the town including:  people from all income levels, working families, business owners, farmers, young people, and seniors.  Vas Lefkidatas will bring an open and transparent debate on all issues that face the town of Knox.

Vas is a businessman and a school board member and, as supervisor, will be fiscally conservative, searching for ways to save money wherever possible and focus town efforts on expenditures that will improve the quality of life for all people in the town.

Vas, his wife, and five children are very involved in this community.  All five of his children attend the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school and are involved in many activities. Vas is on the board of the Little league and coaches a team, and he is involved with the Hilltowns Players.  He and his family have served food at the NEAT [Not Eating Alone Tonight] dinners for seniors for many years.

He has put down roots in this community and is committed to making this town a better place for everyone. 

Vas has ideas to make the town a community, not just a bedroom community, such as allowing greater public access to the town hall, which he plans to have open all week.  In addition, he will put several computers for public use at the town hall and the WiFi at the town hall will be made available for everyone.

He will bring services to seniors, such as a bus to drive seniors to the grocery store and medical appointments.  These are all low-cost items that would go a long way to making the town more of a community. 

By now you should have received or will soon receive a letter from Vas announcing his candidacy and presenting his platform to move Knox forward.  I encourage you to read his proposals carefully.

They represent a positive way forward for the town of Knox.  If you have any questions, you may call him at 872-0649 or visit his Facebook page at Vas Lefkaditis for Knox supervisor.

Vas Lefkaditis has many great ideas for the town.  He has received the Conservative line on the ballot, but his ideas transcend party lines.  I am a lifelong Democrat, but I plan to vote for Vas Lefkaditis on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Anna Wolfe

Knox