Answers to Weston LWV questions by candidates for contested races below.



First Selectman - VOTE FOR ONE (ONE ELECTED)
What do you see as the foremost issue in Weston's next two years?  And how will you meet the challenges posed by this issue?

Woody Bliss (R):
Completing satisfactorily the $80 million school and recreation projects on schedule, on budget and on quality as I committed two years ago

I will devote my professional management and financial skills honed at IBM, and my 29 years of civic duty in Weston to provide the needed leadership.  Working hard and smart, I will draw again on skilled professionals and Weston's outstanding volunteers to achieve our goals, while harmonizing differing and sometimes conflicting interests.



Laura Smits (D):
I believe that communicating clearly and listening are necessary for effective leadership.

The most pressing issue in Weston is the school construction project.  I have been solidly behind this project since its inception, and will see to it that there are no further delays, which cost the town time and money.

We also must be mindfull of residents on fixed incomes.  I will make sure that every tax dollar spent can be justified.



Selectman - VOTE FOR ONE (ONE ELECTED)*
Same question as for First Selectman candidates.

Glenn Major (R):
The obvious challenge is to keep the school building projects on time, on budget and on quality.  However, I believe that, equally challenging, is the need to insure the long term economic health of our town.  While the current Board of Selectmen has worked tirelessly to promote all the varied town interests without losing sight of the financial impact, the Democratic candidate for first selectman has clearly demonstrated during her tenure on the Board of Ed that she is unwilling to make difficult financial decisions.  Should this same lack of economy be applied to the entire town budget the tax burden on our residents will become unbearable and, in the process, we may jeopardize our AAA bond rating.  I will meet this challenge by continuing to use good fiscal restraint, by not succumbing to the pressures from a vocal minority and by never losing sight of why I was elected.


Richard Miller (D):
I believe the foremost challenges in Weston during the next two years will be the completion of the Weston School System and the Parks and Recreation building projects.

These projects must be built on time, on budget, be environmentally sound and well constructed and attractive.

I will work with the Board of Education, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Conservation Commission, closely and in a hands on manner, to assure that our objectives are accomplished.  I will regularly visit the building sites and assess progress.    I will also help ensure that all these entities are well informed and communicate with one another throughout the process.  Good communication among the political groups responsible for oversight and supervision of the project is a key element in getting the projects timely and properly completed.

I am confident that it will be a successful endeavor.



Board of Education (to fill vacancy for two years) VOTE FOR ONE (ONE ELECTED)
How will the requirements of the "No Child Left Behind" federal act affect Weston public schools?

Lyn Kimberly (R):
This act should have minimal impact on the Weston Public Schools. Based on my experience as a teacher, Board of Education member, and a business person, I believe, working as a "community partnership", we can achieve the Act's goals by hiring the best and the brightest and giving them the tools they need to challenge each student to "continually pursue personal excellence".  We will stay ahead of the curve by persistently striving to improve our curriculum and staff development while focusing on each child as an individual.  Weston makes the grade!  (Source:  Weston Public School's Strategic Plan, Mission Statement, Adopted by Board of Education, January 2003.)


Maria Kalivas (D):
The mission of the Weston public schools is to "empower each student to achieve success."  Weston has a comprehensive testing program designed to measure the progress of each student.  I vigorously support a program with a strong curriculum enabling all Weston students to perform at their personal best.  As a Board of Education member I will make continued improvements in this area a priority, thus meeting and exceeding the requirementsof the No Child Left Behind Act.

*Selectman is a two year term.  Of the three candidates who remain after the First Selectman has been chosen, the two candidates who receive the most number of votes will be named "Board of Selectmen."  Please note that this e-VOTERS GUIDE is only a representation of the contested races, and photographs here are different than those in the October 30, 2003 Weston FORUM.