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Landowners circulate petition to prevent Patchogue lot from being condemned

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A husband and wife who own land in Patchogue are looking to do everything they can to stop their property from being taken by the village.

Athene and Pantelis Ziglis were informed by Patchogue Village last month that their near-one acre lot on the corner of Lake Street and Holbrook Road would be condemned for new traffic relief plans near Patchogue Lake through eminent domain.

Many refer to the spot as the “Bargain Bilge Lot,” though it’s actually the vacant lot behind the Bargain Bilge.

The traffic reconfiguration plan, preliminary details of which were unveiled at a Sept. 25 Village Board meeting, include use of the Ziglis’ property for public parking and a county bus stop.

“Your poor [parking] planning shouldn’t affect me,” Athene Ziglis said in reference to the village.

She said the family has owned the lot for over 30 years.

“I am a business owner too, and I have paid insurance, village tax, regular tax [for the land],” she said.

Patchogue Village sent the Farmingville couple a notice in April to inquire about purchasing the land, however, the two parties had two different ideas on the price.

“It probably does not cover my cost for over 30 years of paying taxes and everything,” Athene said of the “low ball” offer for her property.

Now the government is using procedural law to take over the land while compensating the owners.

“It is for public municipal use,” said Patchouge Mayor Paul Poniteri, “and we will pay a fair price.”

Looking to rally support for their cause, the couple is now passing around a petition.

“We will appeal the process because this is wrong. We worked for everything we had. I want to keep my property,” said Athene. “This is the American Dream.”

Pontieri said the petition would not alter the board’s decision, noting that eminent domain has already started.

“The process is the process,” he said, “and the judge will make his decision at the end.”

Top: Athene and Pantelis Ziglis on their Patchogue property with a petition. (Nicholas Esposito)

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