Occupation: Since I took early retirement from the Exxon Corporation, I’ve sold insurance and done some house painting and carpentry work. My dad was a contractor, so I’ve learned how to do a little bit of everything.

 

How Long In Newtown: I was born here, and have lived here off and on most of my life. Thirty years ago, I was a captain in the US Army, and I served in Vietnam. I was in active duty for three years, and in the reserves for five years.

 

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: Obviously, the town has grown. But the biggest change has been how it has grown.

Builders used to buy a piece of land and work on it themselves, maybe building only one or two houses at a time –– taking pride in their craft. They might have worked for a client who planned to buy the house when it was finished. Builders would leave the mature trees standing, and do their best to fit the houses to the contour of the land.

Today, the building trade has become compartmentalized. Developers buy up large sections and force the land to fit the houses. And they aren’t the ones that do the actual construction work. These houses don’t have the space between them that they used to have. Nor do they have the road frontage.

Family: My wife Corinne and I have two sons. Aaron Cox is a classical singer and wine-maker, who owns a painting company.  He is involved with the Boy Scouts Venture Crew 70. Bruce Cox is a captain in the Air Force living in Richmond, Va.

 

Hobbies: I like to fish, I am an NRA (National Rifle Association) instructor, and I work with the Boy Scouts in Troop 70.

 

Pets: We have two dogs, two cats, and five white geese –– two were raised from eggs and we bought three.

 

Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book: I used to like biography and autobiography. Now, I listen to mainstream country music. I tolerate bluegrass, and I like Leadbelly and Bob Dylan.

 

Organizations: In 1984, I helped found the Cullens Youth Association. Originally it was the Boy Scouts of Newtown founded in 1928. Then the name was changed to include Girl Scouts, and finally when the organization become more inclusive of all youth groups, we founded the Cullens Youth Assocation. The Rev Paul Cullens was my scoutmaster and he married us. As president, I help keep the place up and raise money to keep it going. We work with any organized youth group in town, through the churches or the schools, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Cub Scouts, or Newtown Youth Services.

I helped form the Pond Brook Homeowners Association to support our local zoning and wetlands boards when inappropriate proposals for development are made. We bring in experts to testify, and we try to give them the tools they need when making their decisions.

I am a deacon at the Bridgewater Congregational Church, and I am a member of the Candlewood Valley Exchange Club.

 

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: I remember when my father used to run a trap line, and I would go along with him to help, and make a little extra money selling the skins––fox and then muskrats and mink. I used to go coon hunting and get $4 to $5 a skin.  I remember bringing a new rifle to school to show my friends. Today they would have called out the SWAT teams. In those days, we knew everyone in town. And we didn’t get days off from school because of snow. People just put chains on their tires.

People didn’t use the land in the same way they do now. They used to buy it and then leave it alone. Newtown has changed from a farming town to a bedroom community.

Personal Philosophy: We need to protect the environment; and I believe in working with young people. They are the future. They need experiences that go beyond sports, experiences that develop leadership and a sense of morality.