To the Editor:To Kill A Mockingbird: "You never really understand a person ... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

You didn't plan on it, but here you are standing before a judge. You're the defendant, the plaintiff ... You've legal counsel, you're going it alone ... You're present for something minor (shoplifting, parking ticket), "medium" (DUI), major (vehicular homicide). Whatever the court (trial, family, small claims) you hope "Your Honor" possesses the requisite "should have" qualities too obvious to mention.

You didn't plan on it, but here you are standing before a judge. This time the court is probate, the proceedings personal, the particulars problematic. This time participants involved are regular folk who need more than a black-robed referee. This time your fate, your future demands a face-to-face with a judge who has the head (knowledge, common sense), the heart (sensitivity, compassion), the how-to (been there, done that), the humility, the hands-on experience to masterly conduct every courtroom drama (child custody, adoptions, wills, estates & trusts) from opening number to gaveled finale.

I don't plan on it, but I might someday find myself at Northern Fairfield County Probate Court, 1 School Street, Bethel. I hope, I pray the judge I stand before is Daniel W. O'Grady ... the only candidate who has previously held that position, the only candidate who has served our community for 20 years, the only candidate who practices what Atticus Finch preached to his daughter in the beloved classic

Frances Pulle

17 Bainbridge Boulevard, Bethel                       August 4, 2016