Patch Candidate Profile: Timothy Bishop For Ridgefield Inland Wetlands Board

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Timothy Bishop

What office are you seeking?
Inland Wetlands Board

What town do you live in?
Ridgefield

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Town of Fairfield's Conservation Director

Family:
My wife Brittania and my two children, Jaxson (12) and Brooke (9)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Conservation Commission (2016-2019), Inland Wetlands Board (2019-Present)

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking a 3rd term on the IWB to continue providing my decades of expertise to the Town and protect its amazing wetlands resources!

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The most important issue facing the Ridgefield Inland Wetlands Board is development pressure, including those posed by 8-30g. Amongst that pressure, I believe that in my experience, myself and the IWB is very good at finding a balance between the applicant's desires and our local Regulations used to protect the wetland resources which are entrusted to the people to enjoy the benefits of their functions.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have served the IWB since 2019, currently Vice-Chairman, have decades of environmental and wetlands experience, protect wetlands as my day-job, am a Professional Wetlands Scientist and Certified Ecologist and in January was appointed by the Speaker of the House to the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. I couldn't be happier serving on this Board for the last 6-years and hopefully 4 more years too!

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Development pressure is definitely the greatest challenge facing the IWB and consumes most of our time over the past few years. I expect this challenge to continue as economic & political activity in surrounding States create more development pressure on suburbs like Ridgefield in the coming years.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My record over the past 6 years on this Board.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I look forward to continuing to serve the Town of Ridgefield on the IWB for another 4-years (at least)!