The Bottom Line: Put Residents First

Dear Patchogue Village Residents:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the warm reception you have given to Residents First.  You have welcomed us into your homes, listened to our ideas, and conveyed to us your concerns. We’ve been listening, and have enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. 

Many of you have expressed alarm about the high Village taxes -- taxes that have risen more than 158% since Mayor Pontieri first took office.  If I am elected Mayor, I will use my experience as a business executive to lower your Village taxes. 

As an Executive Vice President and a shareholder of my company, I am responsible for $40 million dollars in annual sales.  I know that cost overruns and a failure to collect accounts receivable can put a business out of business.  I advanced from an entry level job to the position I hold because I pay attention to detail, come in under budget, exceed profit estimates, and realize accounts receivable owed to my company. 

The Mayor claims that we are running a dirty campaign because we are holding him accountable.  The acts that we are bringing to the public’s attention are the acts he has taken in his official capacity as Mayor; we’ve said nothing about his private life.  The matters we have raised are important to discuss, not only because integrity matters, but because his actions have directly affected residents. 

Consider that the Mayor eliminated the Budget Review Committee, and at a minimum has cost taxpayers the following:

Annual expenses added by Mayor Paul Pontieri:

Patronage jobs created by Mayor Pontieri (including benefits):

$280,000.00

Mayor’s Salary with raise and benefits:

$41,000.00

Unauthorized Gas/Credit Card use:

$10,000.00                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Total Added Expenses:                       $331,000.00

Uncollected Revenue waived or neglected by Paul Pontieri:

Lombardi’s and other waived Sewer hookup fees:                                                                                               

$47,000.00

Unauthorized loan to Artspace:

$150,000.00

Uncollected funds for Bay Village:                                                                                                                                    

$100,000.00                                                                                                           

Total Neglected Receivables:             $297,000.00

Grand Total Cost to residents and taxpayers: 

$628,000.00                                                                                                     

That accounts for an astounding 6% of the Village budget, and adds at least $200.00 per year to each homeowner’s tax bill. When elected, I will review the budget line by line, drastically cut the Mayor’s salary, eliminate unnecessary positions, collect fees owed to residents, and I will lower our taxes the first year I take office.  After all, it’s our money.

I also commit to stop the Tritec plan to build 291 apartments and will instead forge a balanced, mixed-use plan that will benefit residents and small business owners. I will create strict ethical standards for elected officials and Village employees. I will see our Theatre realize its potential, televise Board meetings, improve services and better utilize our parks. 

My team members are well suited to assist me accomplish these goals.  Lisa Ihne is a school principal and supervises 85 employees; Gregory Powers owns a small business in the Village; Stephen McGiff is a local attorney and Board member who has served our community with honor and distinction and manages his own law practice in Patchogue.

I thank you for your consideration and respectfully ask for your support.  Please remember that Election Day is next Tuesday, March 20th. Please vote for the entire bottom line on the ballot and help us put Residents First.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth L. McGuire

Candidate for Patchogue Village Mayor

Residents First

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