NuVillage group hosts Patchogue candidates

There was one glaring absence at last week's candidates' night meeting of the NuVillage civic group in Patchogue -- embattled Mayor Paul Pontieri.

Pontieri, who was out of town, missed a discussion Thursday night among village candidates and residents that ranged from term limits to the formation of an ethics review board -- ideas to make government more accountable and transparent, according to proponents.

Candidates were asked at the meeting to say whether they endorsed NuVillage's 10 principles of good government.

Deputy Mayor Jack Krieger, who is running for re-election, spoke on behalf of Pontieri. He said they "admired the commitment" of the group, but that there are some tenets "we do not endorse out of principle."

While Krieger did not specify which principles were not endorsed, Pontieri has said he will let voters decide whether he should serve a third term. The NuVillage platform calls for mayors to be limited to two consecutive terms.

Others, including mayoral candidate Elisabeth McGuire, offered stronger support for the NuVillage principles. However, McGuire said, "I have a lot of questions on how they would be implemented."

Trustee candidate Tom Ferb, who is on Pontieri's ticket, said some of the NuVillage principles seemed "accusatory."

"This is a political platform that has morphed into a civic organization," Ferb said.

NuVillage founding member David Kennedy disputed that, pointing out the civic group was not taking sides in the March 20 election.

Last month, two current trustees asked Pontieri to resign over allegations of misuse of the village gas pump to fill his personal vehicle, which Pontieri says he uses on village business.