Third Time's a Charm

Sometimes it is not the things you say that speaks the loudest, but the things you omit.

Several weeks ago, Deputy Mayor Jack Krieger patronizingly and chauvinistically referred to my sister-in-law, Elisabeth McGuire, as the "Judge's wife;" alluding to Village Justice Christopher McGuire, my brother. Mr. Krieger failed to mention that Ms. McGuire is a former: Patchogue Village Trustee, Zoning Board of Appeals member, Community Development Agency member, Chairperson of Patchogue First (twice), that she managed Paul Pontieri's first campaign for mayor, or that she is an Executive Vice President with a major international jewelry manufacturer and distributor. Ms. McGuire personally acquires and manages more than $ 40 million in annual business accounts.

In his letter to the editor of the Advance, Mayor Pontieri dismisses me as "Justice Christopher McGuire's sister," but he fails to mention that I, like him, have been an educator with a public school system for most of my adult life.

As a single parent, I raised a daughter who graduated high school as the salutatorian. She accomplished this despite the fact that there were times we could not afford a computer and spent a great deal of time at the public libraries studying and preparing for her exams. As a result, my daughter received a full scholarship to a renowned university which I never could have afforded if she had not earned her own way. That is why I advocate so fervently on behalf of our public libraries.

Mr. Pontieri should know that I am not unaccustomed to being summarily dismissed by men in positions of power. In 1975, I went to the Bayport firehouse to apply to become a member. I was told at that time by the commissioners that I could only join the Women's Auxiliary. I fought for myself and other women by insisting that I be allowed to join. Later that year, I became one of the first female firefighters on Long Island and was the subject of a major Newsday story about my experience.

In his letter to the editor, Mr. Pontieri conveniently fails to address the illegal loan or the hiring of his relative at a cost of more than one million dollars to the village taxpayers. That says a lot more than the words he wrote in his letter.

I will be moving to the Village of Patchogue soon, and I can assure the Mayor that I was not afraid to stand up for my beliefs in 1975, and I am not afraid of fighting for a just cause now.