To the editor:
A recent letter to the Editor from my neighbor Gary McDermott caught my attention. It was a letter that addressed an issue that some of us here in Chittenango had with Sun Chevy and the way in which it was handled by our Mayor and Madison County Clerk nominee, Mike Keville. As a homeowner closer to the Sun Chevy property than Mr. McDermott, I must set the record straight and clear up some “facts” that were incorrect.
First, my wife and I are very happy with the job Mike Keville did mediating between us neighbors and Todd Caputo/Sun Chevy. We had numerous complaints and as far as we are concerned they were all addressed and rectified except for the lighting, which is currently being worked on by both the Village and Sun Chevy. Mike Keville was able to directly deal with a parts delivery company and have their 3:45am deliveries moved to a more reasonable hour between 7 and 8am. He was also able to get car carrier deliveries moved from the Village location at ALL hours of the day to a more remote location in Lakeport. Mayor Keville was also very instrumental and getting a privacy fence installed at 116 West Genesee to help reduce and noise and light pollution from Sun Chevy.
There is also a beautiful green space area that has been installed between 115 West Genesee St and the retail lot for Sun Chevy. They planted several Cedar trees and also installed a privacy fence. The lot which was formerly just gravel is now properly paved and landscaped. It looks very well maintained and professional. New LED lighting was also installed, which is currently way TOO bright for the surrounding neighbors, myself included. That issue is still being worked on by both Village and Sun Chevy representatives.
I think Mr. McDermott, who was opposed to any expansion of Sun Chevy, needs to realize that in any village, town, county or Country, there has to be compromise on both sides for any work or progress to be accomplished. As far as his statement “My neighborhood has not been satisfied with Mike Keville as Mayor”, I would consider that fake news. Just drive around the village and see how many Mike Keville for County Clerk signs there are. Yes there are Ann Jones signs, 3 that I can think of in my neighborhood, and one belongs to Mr. McDermott. There are at least twice as many for Mike Keville along that same stretch or Route 5.
Mr. McDermott implied in his letter that Mike Keville did what he did for Sun Chevy and a campaign contribution and not for the people of Chittenango. Nothing could be further from the truth, Mayor Keville was able to make the majority of his constituents happy and also keep a tax-paying business happy. Mike is a man of great integrity who would never trade action for votes or contributions. On November 7th I will vote for him to be my County Clerk!
Fred & Christy Knowlton
Chittenango
