Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri will be the guest speaker at LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action) on February 17 at the Candlelight Diner, located at 56 Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack, starting at 8:30 a.m. During the presentation, he will address the topic “Managing the Resources of a Municipal Government.”
“‘Why have a Village?’ is a common question,” Mayor Pontieri said. “Unless you have lived in one, worked in one or did business with one, you will never understand. Having lived in the Village of Patchogue my whole life, worked in it for a number of years and now working with businesses that want to do business in the Village, you will find it is easier than in most other places.”
Mayor Pontieri has served the Village of Patchogue for 30 years. He was elected mayor in March 2004 after eleven years as a village trustee. During his tenure as mayor, the Village of Patchogue experienced a revitalization spurred on by over $850 million in public and private investments. He has established Patchogue as a successful model of “smart growth” with a number of major economic development initiatives that he and his administration have put in place.
During his 19 years as mayor, he has focused on putting “feet on Main Street” by building livable spaces that are within walking distance of the Village’s Main Street and the LIRR. There have been over 700 residential units constructed, 150 of which are workforce housing. The New Village development includes 291 apartments, 50,000 square feet of retail, and 17,000 square feet of office space.
In August 2009, he was appointed deputy supervisor for economic development for the Town of Brookhaven, a position that he held for two years. He was the governor’s appointee to the board of Suffolk County Community College, a board member with the Long Island Regional Planning Council, executive board member of the New York Conference of Mayors, board chairman of the Independent Group Homes and Living (IGHL) and president of the Suffolk County Village Officials Association.
A lifelong resident of Patchogue Village, Mayor Pontieri was an assistant principal at Bellport High School, principal for BOCES and a business owner. He is also a certified school administrator and has a master’s degree in education.
Mayor Pontieri is also involved in many local, community organizations and activities. He has been honored by the Long Island Housing Partnership, the Regional Plan Association and Vision Long Island for his accomplishments in the revitalization of downtown Patchogue, and for the village’s commitment to providing affordable housing for its residents.
“I have known Paul Pontieri for many years,” said LIMBA Chairman Ernie Fazio. “I’m impressed with his ability to examine what he has to work with and make it better. His ability to give credit to others when it is deserved is an endearing feature of his personality.”
For more information about upcoming LIMBA programs, visit https://limba.net/.