Thoughts on Oxford

Fourteen years ago my wife and I moved to Oxford with our three small children.  We had moved from a small city lot next to a downtown area in Milford, and while we loved all that Milford had to offer, wanted our kids to have a ‘real’ yard in a quieter, more rural setting.  We did a lot of research and investigated several towns including Stratford, Trumbull, Monroe, Shelton, and of course Oxford.  Ultimately we found the house we now live in almost by accident.

After our initial visit during an open house we came back to look at it again, parking across the street to look, imagine, and discuss whether this was the place we wanted to be.  If we had any doubts about moving to this town before we arrived, they were mostly put to rest within 15 minutes of our arrival when a car pulled up alongside us and rolled down their window.  Certain the driver was going to complain about us interfering with traffic, I dreaded acknowledging him and braced myself for his verbal abuse.  You can imagine my surprise then when instead of scolding us he asked if we were alright, and whether we needed any help!  The idea that a complete stranger would be more concerned with our well-being than with us inconveniencing him was honestly rather novel to us, but we have come to learn that this is nothing so extraordinary for the residents of Oxford.

Since then we have settled into the town, and it has become a part of the fabric of our lives in ways that no town has ever been before.  I had grown up always living in a place, without ever really being a part of it.  Town government, Committees and Boards were for others to be involved with- not for us.  In Oxford, that has changed for me and my family.  We care too much about the town not to want to be involved, and becoming involved just makes us care that much more.

For those of you who have called Oxford home for longer than us, I know you know exactly what I mean, and for those who are new to the Town, if you haven’t learned already- you will.  The town’s growth over the past several years has brought a wealth of intelligent, talented and caring people to town so that Oxford is blessed with a incredibly diverse population who have helped the town grow from a simple farming community to a place that has managed to develop artistically, culturally and professionally while still retaining its rural, small-town look and feel.

As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of the town.  With all that we have to offer, from Jackson Cove to Southford Falls; the Larkin Bridle Trail to Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary; the many, many activities provided by Park & Rec and the increasingly awesome & ambitious events put on by the Cultural Arts Commission to name just a few, who wouldn’t be a fan?  In fact, I have come to care about my town so much that I am seeking to fill the position of First Selectman this November when the current First Selectman retires.  I invite you to share YOUR thoughts on our Town- what brought you here?  What do you love best about it?  Any 'hidden' favorite spots that you'd care to share?