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Updated, 12:50 p.m. Monday, July 16
NORWALK, Conn. A Norwalk school board member was given infractions Wednesday for driving with a suspended license and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, Norwalk police said.
Michael Barbis, a Democratic member of the Board of Education and a Sixth Taxing District commissioner, was pulled over because he was using a cell phone while driving a 2004 Saab 9-3 on Highland Avenue, Sgt. James Boff said.
Barbis did not return a call asking for comment.
He was cited with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, using/holding a cell phone, no insurance and operating with a registration/license suspended/revoked.
Barbis was caught in a selective enforcment patrol. He was spotted holding the cell phone while going south on Highland Avenue. Barbis dropped the phone when he saw the officer, but was pulled over at 197 Highland Ave.
His drivers' license had been suspended indefinitely in 2011, Cotto said. The registration and insurance on the car had been invalid for a year. Barbis commented to the officer that his license suspension may have been because of numerous speeding violations.
It was the second time Barbis was charged with holding a cell phone while driving, Cotto said. He was therefore given a summons and must appear in court. The driving on a suspended license charge is also a summons.
Barbis was charged with breach of peace second degree in November 2010, a case that is awaiting disposition, as the family is in a violence prevention program. The next court date is in October. He has no prior convictions.
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