Wilton Dems to Honor M-D Building Cmte. Co-Chairs & One Longtime Democrat

The Wilton Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) will host its Annual Spring Breakfast on Saturday, May 2, and this year the breakfast will again include recognition of the achievements and contributions of community members who have a long and distinguished record of dedicated service in Wilton.

The individuals being honored are Judy Zucker, who will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Karen Birck and Bruce Hampson, who will receive the Wilton DTC Citizen of the Year Award for their work leading the Miller-Driscoll Building Committee.

“The Annual Spring Breakfast is one of the highlights of the year,” said WDTC chair Tom Dec. “It is an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievement, meet local officials, and hear from an esteemed guest. We have a great program in store this year.”

Lifetime Achievement Award

According to a press release distributed by the DTC, Zucker has been a dedicated Wilton resident and an active Democrat since she first arrived in Wilton over 60 years ago.

“A trailblazer in her own right, Judy has served on the Board of Education (1973-79) and Board of Selectmen (1988-1999), and more recently on the Commission on Social Services (1999-2009, 2011-present; including as chairman for four years) and as the current chairman of the Comstock Renovation Building Committee. Judy has been an instrumental leader in our town, respected by members of both parties, and has always stepped up to serve when asked,” the release stated.

She has also been deeply involved in the town through organizations such as the Wilton Kiwanis Club, where she served as the first woman president in 2001, Wilton League of Women Voters, Wilton Playshop, PTAs, Wilton Senior Center Advisory Council, and many others. She continues to serve as a member of the DTC Nominating Committee.

Judy is the mother of four (John, Peter, Daniel & Ellen) and grandmother of eight. She is a graduate of Smith College (B.A.), Columbia University (M.A. in Political Science), and NYU Law (J.D.).

“Judy is a role model for us all and represents Wilton at its best. It is not only the incredible breadth and depth of service that makes Judy so special, but also her passion for Wilton and its future. Few others can match that legacy,” Dec said.

The release added that, “For the Wilton DTC – which has honored Charlie Lewis, Ernie Loser, Louise and Fred Herot, and David Borglum – it is a distinct honor to present the Lifetime Achievement award to Judy Zucker in recognition of her significant commitment and contributions to our community. Having gained the respect and admiration of those who have met her, Judy has a reputation of achievement, fairness and good character that has been celebrated by many in town.”

Wilton DTC Citizen of the Year Award

This year the Wilton DTC will recognize Birck and Hampson with the Wilton DTC Citizen of the Year Award, for their work leading the Miller-Driscoll Building Committee.

Calling the M-D building project the “single event, project or news item that has defined the past year” in Wilton, the release said the project “…is not only the largest bonding project in town history, but also one of the most important.”

DTC chair Dec stated back in September when the DTC endorsed the project:  “Miller-Driscoll is in so many ways the gateway to our town…The new Miller-Driscoll will empower our students, teachers, parents – and community – to support the best possible education for the next generation of Wiltonians.”

According to the release, “The success of this landmark project is made possible in no small way because of these two leaders. In addition to navigating the complexities of a building project of this magnitude and working with numerous stakeholders in the community, Karen and Bruce have been strong leaders in the face of unrelenting scrutiny of their work. All of their service has been done on a volunteer basis — something to recognize in it of itself.”

“Karen and Bruce understand the critical importance of Miller-Driscoll to the future of our schools and our community as a whole, and they have dedicated countless hours to the project since being appointed in 2013. We are pleased to recognize them for their leadership,” Dec said.

This is not the first time Birck and Hampson have worked together for on a project for Wilton Public Schools. From 2008-2010 they served together as co-chairs of the Wilton High School Renovation Building Committee, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the project.

They both have also served in other leadership capacities prior to assuming the role of co-chairs. Birck served on the Board of Education (2004-2013; chairman from 2006-2009). Hampson currently serves as the chairman of the Wilton Energy Commission (2007-present) and has been recognized for his leadership in sustainability, earning the Connecticut Climate Change Leadership Award in 2010 and the Wilton Go Green Energy Effectiveness Award in 2015.

“Their shared commitment to public education and sustainability has been indispensable as the project has progressed,” the release stated.

According to Dec, “The Wilton DTC is delighted to recognize these outstanding individuals for their leadership on the Miller-Driscoll project and appreciate all that they have done, are doing, and will do in the future to see this project to completion. Wilton is better off because of their service.”

The annual spring breakfast will take place on Saturday, May 2, from 9-11 a.m. at Trackside Teen Center. Tickets for the event are $40 and may be purchased online. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.