Brent J. Richardson is frustrated by his state legislators fostering bureaucracy and overregulating businesses. He thinks the guy he'll vote for this fall can change all that.

"We have to identify the problems and be willing to deal with the ones that we know that are driving businesses out," said Mr. Richardson, owner of Watertown Spring & Alignment. "I think Bobby Cantwell understands these issues, will address these issues and do the best of his ability to affect those issues."

Mr. Richardson and two other business owners joined Robert W. Cantwell III, a Republican seeking the 118th Assembly District seat, as the candidate announced his five-point job creation plan Thursday at Timeless Frames, Fisher Road. Mr. Cantwell, a general manager for Northeast Rentals & Sales, said his plan would reverse New York's "antijob, antimiddle-class-family culture of overtaxation."

The proposal is to:

■ Help farmers by creating a cooperative for bulk purchasing of diesel fuel, heightening promotion of agri-tourism sites and providing scholarships to lure the next generation of farmers.

■ Attract manufacturers by eliminating the corporate franchise tax and offering energy and wage tax credits to manufacturers who add jobs.

■ Develop stronger partnerships with Canadians to attract more tourists and trades, although the candidate lacked specifics on this point Thursday.

■ Offer programs that will retrain laid-off manufacturing workers, including college-to-work programs for companies that pay tuition for their employees.

■ Drop taxes by capping property taxes, lowering small business taxes and strengthening the Empire Zone program.

Lisa A. Weber, Timeless Frames' chief executive officer, said energy costs have made New York "a difficult place to be a manufacturer."

"But through state programs, we've been able to take advantage of reduced utility costs and been able to take advantage of tax credits," she said. "These are vital in helping us stay in Watertown."

David G. Porter, who manages Porterdale Farms, a 1,600-cow dairy farm on Dry Hill Road, said hikes in diesel pricing have hit farms harder because their businesses are more mechanically-orientated than most. He welcomed any effort to lower prices.

Mr. Porter also agreed with Mr. Cantwell's push to blend education and tourism.

"The public doesn't understand the complexity of producing a product," he said.

Although Mr. Cantwell's proposal would eliminate certain state revenues and increase state costs in other areas, the candidate said legislators could make up some of the difference by forcing the consolidation of redundant government entities. The Clayton town councilman specifically mentioned the state Thruway Authority, saying the state Canal Corp. should cease to be a subsidiary, and that the state should fold the authority into the Department of Transportation.

"I don't want to see somebody lose a job," he said. "But if we can consolidate government entities, whether its townships or a school district, I'd like to see it done through attrition and retirement."

Mr. Cantwell is one of three candidates in a race for the vacant seat, which serves Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The others are Democrat Addie J. Russell and independent Donald J. Lucas.