With our recent acquisition of the beloved, historic Long Island Press, we are planning to add a monthly print newspaper to the digital edition. So I’ve begun visiting neighborhoods that I heard were “hot” but that I’m not familiar with. I had the pleasure of meeting the mayors of Freeport and Patchogue and hear their vision for their towns. I was very impressed!
In Freeport, the famous Nautical Mile is literally a mile of one great restaurant after another, many rebuilt after Sandy, including some old-timers that have held on and improved and enhanced their location. I had the pleasure of enjoying my seafood dinner while looking out on the fishing boats that brought in many of the dishes on the menu. It doesn’t get better than that.
Mayor Robert Kennedy talked with great pride about his municipality and its uniqueness. A trustee before he was elected mayor, he’s lived in his beloved town most of his life.
Having lived through the massive devastation of Superstorm Sandy, even five years later he is passionate about prevention opportunities and is advocating for barrier gates be built. A feasibility study has been funded.
Although the four square miles with 50,000 people seems small compared to New York City neighborhoods, its uniqueness has a great advocate who has made his town a place we should all feel great about visiting. More to come….
Then, last weekend, I was happy to have the opportunity to visit a village with a big buzz, Patchogue. I can report that great things are happening in this South Shore community bordering on the great South Bay, 40 miles from Queens and 50 miles west of Montauk, accessible by the Long Island Railroad. Its buzz is well deserved, and what I was most impressed with are the people leading Patchogue in its rebirth as a magnet for artists. The real estate taxes are affordable with rental apartments and homes near the center of town.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Mayor Paul Pontieri, Jr. and his devoted Marian Russo, the BID executive director, the team leading the newly restored historic Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, the director of the Plaza Cinema and media arts center, Melissa Kuehnle, the director of communications for the local respected St Joseph’s College, and David Kennedy who serves the 500-member Chamber of Commerce. All shared their enthusiasm for their hometown and what is happening there.
I think what impressed me most was the cooperation of the various entities to achieve their goal of making Patchogue, with 50 restaurants, many on the waterfront, a destination for dining and enjoying the art scene and quality of life.
I’m a believer and look forward to helping them raise their town’s visibility.
Pay a visit. You too will love these towns!
