To the Editor:

I became friends with Phil Cruz 45 years ago while working with him in the same corporate engineering department. We then went our separate ways as employment opportunities go. Moving to Newtown and getting acquainted with my new neighbors — what a pleasant surprise to once again find my old friend Phil living two houses away from our new home.

He has always been a person who people look up to and can count on to make well thought out decisions. I saw that again walking in this year’s Labor Day Parade. Along the way there were his students, past and present, as well as parents stepping into the road to greet him. Phil has served on several town boards and is in touch with the pulse of our community.

A vote for Phil Cruz is a vote for a doer, not just someone to fill a chair.

Ross Carley

Newtown