Occupation: I am the owner of Newtown Tree Service, a company that I bought from Alan Potter in October 2003 after working for Alan for many years. Managing the business is a big challenge, and Alan left me with big shoes to fill. Since last March, i
Occupation: I am the owner of Newtown Tree Service, a company that I bought from Alan Potter in October 2003 after working for Alan for many years. Managing the business is a big challenge, and Alan left me with big shoes to fill. Since last March, it has been very busy.
How Long In Newtown: I am a born and bred Newtowner. I was in the Newtown High School Class of 1995, but left early and got my GED, and I started working for Alan when I was 16. I have lived in all corners of this town ââ on Surrey Trail off Toddy Hill Road, on Taunton Lake Drive, and now in Sandy Hook on Bridge End Farm Lane. I would like to stay in Newtown, although the taxes here are a little out of control.
Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: Obviously, growth and increased population. I disagree with how much they are building now. The traffic is getting pretty bad. I can remember walking up Church Hill Road when there were almost no cars. Now some days it takes 20 minutes to drive to Sandy Hook. Some towns put a cap on development and I think we should. When I become first selectman, thatâs what Iâm going to do.
Family: My wife, Danielle, and I were married last year. We just had a baby girl on March 10. Her name is Madison Rose. She was 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and 18¾ inches long. My parents are Rob and Rosemary McCulloch. My father has worked for the Town of Newtown. He was a well-known bus driver ten years ago with a fondness for duct tape. My mother is an accountant. I have two brothers: Rich is in landscaping and Steven attends Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island and is going into restaurant management.
Hobbies: I love music. Iâve played guitar off and on for 15 years, and I started with the trumpet in third grade. Now I play for fun with friends, especially at the Georgetown Saloon on Thursday nights. I also like to put together model train sets.
Pets: We have two dogs named Lycon and Maxine. Lycon is a Siberian Husky and his name is the Greek word for Trojan warrior. Maxine is a farm mutt. Then we have a cat named Spike and a fish with no name.
Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book: My favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings series. I liked the books even better because there is so much the movies donât say. I would love to have lived in Middle Earth during that time and I have worn out my DVD player just watching it. Other favorite movies are Serpico and anything with Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro in it.
Organizations: I am a volunteer at Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Company, and one day I may run for first selectman. I think I have more common sense than political sense.
Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: My favorite images of this town come from the stories I hear when talking with some of Newtownâs old-timers ââ for instance, Fred Pendergast. Fred told me about when, after a big snow, they used to drive down Main Street with the big roller so people could go sledding. And when the fire warning alert system was just a really loud whistle.
Favorite Vacation Spot: I love to go camping. Also, we took a cruise for our honeymoon. I am hooked on cruises because when you are out there on the boat, you have absolutely no conception of time. You do whatever you want to, when you want to.
Personal Philosophy: I have always respected the older generation ââ I was the kid who would sit down with his grandfather and listen to stories about the war. My favorite saying is the New Hampshire motto âLive Free or Die.â I want to live life to the fullest every day, because you donât know what the world has in store for tomorrow.
SNAP SHOT: Rob McCulloch