That may be the case, but Bliss won't be Weston's First Selectman as the town faces those challenges. The four-term Republican First Selectman announced he will not be seeking re-election this year, somewhat surprising the Weston political community. Bliss served 10 years on the Board of Selectman, the last eight years as the town's Chief Executive Officer.
In speaking to the Y's Men, Bliss did not hint at not running for office and instead discussed the current challenges the town is facing. Bliss outlined four major issues facing Weston in the year ahead: schools, the budget, open space and civility.
"I view our schools in Weston as our industry," he explained. "They say we don't have any industry in Weston, but I believe our schools are our industry. As for the budget, we've just had a revaluation and we are currently in the appeals phase. No First Selectman finds any new friends in a revaluation year. We've preserved over 1,500 acres of open space and our citizens have been overwhelmingly supportive to our efforts."
In a Wednesday interview with the Westport Minuteman, Bliss elaborated on his decision to step away from office.
"I've been in office for 10 years and before that I served on the Board of Education and the Board of Finance, and I was a member of the Panel of Moderators for the town meeting," he said. "That's a long time."
Discussing his accomplishments as Weston First Selectman he noted, "A lot happened in eight years, but I'm definitely proud of our new schools and that was an $80 million project. And we also built new town athletic fields. Certainly I was very pleased that we have been able to preserve more than 1,500 acres of open space."
Bliss is also engaged with Joseloff and other Fairfield County Chief Executives and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in fighting the Federal Aviation Administration's plans to reroute air traffic through Fairfield County.
"Blumenthal is the point man on this project I'm hearing that if we lose our current appeal he will take this all the way to the Supreme Court.
The soon-to-be-departing First Selectman said that he will remain active in retirement, despite no longer being at Weston's helm.
"I am active in a lot of other things," he said, noting that he is on the Statewide Board of Directors of the Connecticut Coalition of Education Founding among numerous other projects. "I also love to travel. I've got a timeshare in Aruba that I haven't been to for two years. But, hey, you've still got me for five months."
Democratic Selectman Gayle Weinstein ran against the incumbent two years ago and again has received the endorsement from the Democratic Town Committee. Westonites Dan Gilbert and Don Gary have expressed interest in running on the Republican ticket.