To the Editor:

When I moved to Killingworth five years ago I began to get involved in town affairs.  I met so many magnificent people who truly care about this wonderful town.  When I needed to learn more about the town charter and the town plan almost everyone I spoke to told me the same thing; you need to talk to Rick.

Rick Albrecht is a man who not only lives in Killingworth, he eats sleeps and breathes Killingworth.  This became even more evident to me when I re-obtained my Paramedic license and began to volunteer for the Killingworth Ambulance.

In responding to emergency calls with Rick I was very moved when many scared, sick, or injured people, long time residents of Killingworth, would breathe a sigh of relief when they saw Rick walk through the door.  The fact that Rick knows his neighbors so intimately makes many people feel as though they have a member of their own family walking into their home to care for them when he arrives.  Rick's professionalism and discretion when he helps individuals in need is unparalleled.  I have never known Rick to accept even the simplest credit for his caring or compassion.

On more than one occasion I noticed a few patients fretting over how they would get home after being treated in the emergency room.  Rick would lean over and whisper something in their ear while handing them his cell phone number.  He would come back and get them in his own car and bring them home later on.

Serving the people of Killingworth is something that Rick just has to do.  Rick is a lifetime member of the Killingworth Fire Department and his father, Walter, founded the Killingworth Ambulance Service.  Rick's son Matt inherited his father's love of this town and became an Emergency Medical Technician at the age of sixteen.

I am proud to know and to serve with Rick Albrecht.  I have witnessed with my own eyes his moving commitment to the people of this town.  I know in my heart that Rick, who knows more about this town than anyone that I know, would once again make not just a good first selectman, but an inspiring leader.

Tim Withington