Occupation: I am a part-time attorney/consultant. I retired from the United States Air Force as a judge advocate. I received the bronze star for meritorious service while serving in Thailand during the Vietnam War. I ran the legal office at Wright Patterson in Ohio and was with the Judge Advocate’s Department at the Pentagon level in Washington, D.C. I was an instructor in the judge advocates school at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., where I also served as a military judge the last four years before retiring. I practiced in Norwalk for a few years after the Air Force. I do some consulting work for a physicians’ recruiting firm in Norwalk. I earned a bachelor of arts in economics from Trinity College and an LLB from the Boston University School of Law.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for seven years. Prior to this, I lived in Norwalk. While in the Air Force, I lived in various states and countries, including Massachusetts, Omaha, Nebraska, Ohio, Washington, D.C., England, and Germany.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: The growth, the mansions built on otherwise lovely property, increase in traffic, and the necessary increase in taxes due to growth. But it’s still lovely, warm, and friendly.

Family: My wife, Amy, and I have been married for 12 years. We have five children between us, Kenneth, Laura, Iris, Leigh, and Julie, between 34 and 40, and nine grandchildren.

Pets: We have one cat, Deder, who is about six years old.

Hobbies: A little gardening, and puttering around the house. I dabble in playing the vibraharp. I also sing with the Newtown Choral Society, which is having its spring concert Sat. at the Meeting House at 7:30 pm.

Favorite Books and Authors: I enjoy reading fiction and nonfiction. I recently read The Ten Things You Can’t Say in America by Larry Elder and Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America by John H. McWhorter. These particular books I heard talked about on the radio, and the subject matter intrigued me. What they have to say is interesting compared to what you hear on other sides about racism and other issues.

Favorite TV Show: West Wing. This is well done. I also watch Hard Ball with Chris Matthews, a syndicated columnist, which discusses current events. He has interesting guests on both sides of the fence. It’s very informative to me.

Organizations: Jewish War Veterans. I also volunteer at Danbury Hospital’s emergency room.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The day we moved into Newtown, one of our grandchildren was born. I enjoy and make a concerted effort to attend the Labor Day Parade. I always stay in the same place on Glover Avenue. I love where we live. We have wonderful views of Taunton Lake.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Amy and I and my mother-in-law several years ago went to Tanzania and Kenya on safari. We hope to be able to go back there with our grandchildren someday. As a second choice for a real vacation, we have a place in Milford near the shore. My favorite country to visit is Italy.

Personal Philosophy: My feeling is no person is unable to achieve that which he or she has a burning desire for.

SNAPSHOT

WITH PHOTOGRAPH

ARNOLD PERSKY