Ansonia Aldermen pick Bobbi Tar to fill vacancy
ANSONIA — The city’s Board of Aldermen unanimously selected Bobbi Tar to fill the second ward vacancy created by the resignation of Tarek Raslan, who moved out of the city.
The action was taken before the board’s monthly meeting Oct. 13.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Aldermen in continuing the economic growth of the downtown and the city,” Tar said. “I want to make sure those projects, as well as education, are funded.”
She said she also plans to be involved with the city’s seniors and hopes to bring them programs provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.
“There are a lot of programs available for caregivers who may need services,” she said.
Tar, who is an unaffiliated voter, ran on Mayor David Cassetti’s Republican slate as a second ward alderman last November. Voters in that ward chose to elect two Democrats — Raslan and William Phipps.
While the City Charter allows the Board of Aldermen to nominate individuals and then vote on them, it does not require they fill a vacancy with a person from the same party. The Republicans hold a 10- 3 majority on the board.
“I keep an independent mind,” said Tar, who retired as the chief adult probation officer in Bridgeport in 2009. “I don’t follow the crowd. I make up my own mind based on what I believe is right.”
Tar is employed by the Shelton Public School system as their Youth Outreach and Truancy officer.
“Bobbi is a hardworking individual who I know will be dedicated to this job and work for the best interests of this city,” Cassetti said. “She’ll be an asset.”
As an employee of the school district, her job includes residency checks, chronic truancy investigations and she works with families to help engage challenged students in distant learning.
“Some students thrive and others would rather be playing with their XBox,” said Tar. “It’s ... those families that I work with to help them keep their children engaged. Sometimes it’s as simple as suggesting a reward system — take the Xbox away and give it back once their school work is done.”
She also is an adjunct criminal justice professor, teaching courses in criminal justice; alcohol, drugs and crime; and American corrections at Pace University in New York.
Late last year, Tar was Cassetti’s choice to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education created when Joseph Jeanette was elected to the Board of Aldermen last November. That process has led to a state court filing over who has the authority — the mayor or the Board of Education — to fill a school board opening. The Board felt they did and selected Phil Tripp, who lost the mayoral election to Cassetti.
A compromise was reached and Beth LaBerge was temporarily appointed to the school board while awaiting a court ruling. That ruling is still pending.
“Initially my goal was to serve on the Board of Aldermen,” Tar said Wednesday. “Things worked out.”
Tar is married to Greenwich Police Sgt. John Tar, who serves on the city’s Board of Police Commissioners.