To the Editor:The Bee have the audacity of criticizing the morality, fairness, and sincerity of the members of the Board of Ethics. I can understand and accept disagreement with the conclusions of the board's deliberations. I cannot accept mean and hurtful criticism by people who fantasize that their pen has to be mightier than the dedication, loyalty, and devotion of people whose only desire is to do what is right and what they are asked to do. In today's political atmosphere and the grappling taking over our public and political debates, the journalists and editors of this newspaper will perform a better service for the community by demonstrating the same decorum exercised by the members of the Board of Ethics, rather than erroneously tarnish their commitment.

Although I am currently a full-time member of the Newtown Board of Ethics, my present comments are aimed at expressing my personal sentiment as a resident of the town and not as a member of the board.

The readers are probably aware of the conflict, which arose regarding e-mails pertaining to the Board of Education. This chain of events has been going on for months and stirred emotions in the many parties involved. I am not going to express my opinion regarding the legality of this issue - there are enough people involved, lawyers and professionals (including from state-level agencies), all of whom are well versed in the various ramifications of the case.

I would like, though, to express my strong dismay for the criticism expressed on the pages of this newspaper about the integrity of the Board of Ethics. This board is composed of volunteers who gave and continue giving many hours of their free time to serve on this board, which is assigned the role of reviewing situations felt to pose public ethical questions. The members of the board deliberate each case objectively regardless of who are the sides engaged. The discussions are conducted in a sincere atmosphere with one goal in mind - to try and reach the most appropriate ethical solutions to the questions reviewed.

I am therefore mortified that journalists and editors writing for

Laurie Kilchevsky, MSW

9 Equestrian Ridge, Newtown         September 19, 2016