To the Editor:

I am adding my voice to the chorus endorsing Bruce Walczak for Newtown Board of Education.

I have known Bruce for over ten years, first and foremost as a neighbor. A great one. Bruce enthusiastically supports any number of local charities, volunteering his time and talents. These include/have included board-level duties for United Way of Northern Fairfield, Newtown Youth & Family Services (fka Newtown Counseling Services), and Fairfield County Multiple Sclerosis. Bruce continues to be very active with the local Lions Club — need a car raffle ticket, see Bruce!

He is, in short, a selfless, long-serving advocate for our community.

In his business life, Bruce’s company consults with major corporations in relocating employees into the Westchester/Fairfield markets. As such, Bruce understands full well how critical a community’s soft qualities are in attracting and retaining residents. The array of businesses, cultural offerings, and public parks/open spaces are but some of the many elements individuals desire in a home. But, without question, the single-most important aspect for a community to attract and retain residents is the performance and reputation of its school district.

Due to the resignation of previous members this summer, we now find ourselves with five (of seven) Board of Education seats up for election. Three of these seats will be listed on one ballot line for a full four years due to terms expiring as scheduled.

Meanwhile, on the other ballot line, two seats are up to fill the remaining two years for terms vacated by the recent resignations. On the ballot, Bruce is recognized as an Independent Party candidate. Fittingly his presence as an Independent symbolizes the clean break we need for our Board of Education as it moves on from the acrimony of the past two years.

Please join me in voting for Bruce Walczak on Tuesday, November 7th.

Patrick McCleary

Newtown