West Haven Election: Sarah Ackbarali Running For City Council

WEST HAVEN, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in West Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the City Council, Board of Education and more.

West Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Sarah Ackbarali, 36, is running for election to the West Haven City Council in the 3rd District as a Democrat.

Occupation:

Family: All Ages of the below as of November 2nd 2021. Husband: Ian Ackbarali Age 30, West Haven Police Officer. Children: Son Christian Age 4, Daughter Moirá Age 1 & Son Liam Age 4 Months. Twin Brother: Patrick Leigh Age 36, Member of the West Haven Board of Education from 2016-2020, Current Member of the West Haven Democratic Town Committee. Parents: Robert & Linda Leigh (Both Retired Educators of the West Haven School System.) Robert Leigh: Age 88, Speech Pathologist for Over 50 years. Linda Leigh: Age 71, Art Education & Elementary School Teacher for Over 30 Years .

Experience: Current Member of the West Haven Democratic Town Committee & Deputy Treasurer for the West Haven Democratic Town Committee

Family in government: Twin Brother: Patrick Leigh, Member of the West Haven Board of Education from 2016-2020, Current Member of the West Haven Democratic Town Committee. Uncle: John O’Brien, Retired U.S. Treasury Agent. Cousin: Judy Fadus, Retired ATF Agent.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our town is the economic impact that the loss of small business has created and the vacant store fronts plaguing our once thriving center. I intend to use my voice as 3rd District City Councilwoman to advocate and facilitate the necessary change needed to bring back small business.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

The critical difference that sets me furthest apart from all other 3rd District City Council candidates, is my life long residency not only in West Haven but within my district. Having this deep rooted history here from birth to raising children of my own, and qualifies me best to be the voice advocating for the people of my district.

Accomplishments:

Aside from my Collegiate and Graduate School degrees in business, I have a long history of service to my community in many ways. I am a current member of the West Haven Democratic Town Committee where I also served as Deputy Treasurer. I am an active Parishioner of my Parish at St. Lawrence Church, where I serve as a Eucharistic Minister, and Sacristan & member of the Woman’s Guild. I was also the Co-Director of the RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) Program.

Other issues:

Upholding and creating a better quality of life in my district.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I would like the voters in my district to know that if elected my soul purpose will be fighting for each individual voice to be heard no matter how big or small the issue may be.

Are you running for office in West Haven? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on West Haven Patch.