To the Editor and Community:

My name is Mitch Bolinsky, and I write today not in any official capacity but on a matter that’s personal and in defense of a friend.

The person about whom I write is an individual who’s among the most honest, forthcoming and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She stands out as one of the most considerate, open-minded, deliberately analytic thinkers I’ve known for as long as I can remember.

Her name is Deborra Zukowski and she also happens to be the nearly-new Chair of Newtown’s Board of Education. At her core, I’ve found Deb to be a purist, a stickler for detail and, in every situation I’ve observed, someone who does not presuppose an outcome before every perspective is heard and has had the opportunity to articulate its reasoned position.

Wanting to truly understand and weigh all voices of our community is crucial to the role of this particular Chairmanship. Deb Zukowski has consistently demonstrated an idealistic, unbending spirit of caring and objectivity that makes her uniquely qualified to lead what many consider to be the most important board in our town.

She’s respectful and welcoming to all stakeholders.

I’ve joked with Deb about the pains to which she goes in every decision. Because she’s steadfastly collaborative, it’s interesting to me that folks can’t easily “read” her. Her response is always a smile and the words “It’s ‘the engineer’ in me.” She processes every matter, large and small, with meticulous consideration. I think it’s a gift, although there are times it tests the patience of others to whom an issue seems “cut and dried.”

But it’s fair.

After reading a handful of letters in last week’s Newtown Bee, I felt the need to better introduce some folks to the real Deborra Zukowski. The caring volunteer who accepted a very difficult position of leadership. The analytic engineer with an insatiable desire to consider all sides of every issue. The family woman who cares about all children as if they were her own. The selfless caregiver to elderly parents. The good person who, without knowing her, individuals chose to attack in writing.

In 22 years of loving Newtown, it’s been my experience that the overwhelming majority of Newtowners do not respond with open arms or hearts to hatefulness. Yet, there it was. Why, I asked myself, would strangers intentionally launch an organized assault of misrepresentations upon an individual who is always looking to build bridges and isn’t the least bit insensitive to the needs of others?

I could think of no reasonable answer.

Granted, there’s a learning curve for any new leader. Deb is a thoughtful, fast learner who is dedicated to educational excellence and the needs of all children.

Let’s pull together and support the work of the entire Board of Education.

Mitch Bolinsky

Newtown