To the Editor:

A friend asked me what I thought the difference was between me and my two competitors for the Board of Education vacancy seat.

It’s a good question and in my opinion the differences are broad and deep concerning business experience and community involvement.

The school system is an $85 million enterprise and actual corporate business management experience is critical. I have been vice president of several national companies and have manage upwards of 250 employees and multimillion dollar budgets. I’ve been in operations, sales, account management, product development, pricing and strategic planning.

My last 20 years have been spent assisting senior executives who are being relocated to the New York area on where they should settle, including detailed counseling on individual local school system. Thus, my interest in the Board of Education.

The second significant difference is community service.

I have been deeply involved in Newtown and Northern Fairfield County for over 33 years. I was president of the Newtown Family Counseling Center, elected to the Police Commission, appointed to the Economic Development Commission twice, and on the First Selectman’s Business Advisory Committee.

I have been a Trustee of two United Ways, on the board of Junior Achievement, Multiple Sclerosis, and The Charitable Foundation of the Employee Relocation Council where I was installed in their Hall of Fame. Perhaps my most rewarding Community Service is being in the Newtown Lions Club and as president initiating the annual school eye screening of over 1,500 Newtown students.

I believe that having an actual history of broad business experience and being connected to Newtown through a deep commitment to community service is key to success on the Board of Education.

My motto is “Service Above Self.” I hope you will consider these differences when you vote November 7th.

Bruce Walczak

Newtown