With her experience as a teacher and her involvement in many community activities, Patty Stoddard possesses the leadership qualities necessary to be a highly effective member of the Smithtown Town Board. Throughout her experiences as an educator, business owner, soccer coach, and involvement in the community, Patty has demonstrated an ability to welcome input, work as a team member, and find solutions. Her established record of setting and achieving goals provides the foundation for her to, along with the other members of the SMITHTOWNFORWARD team, revitalize the downtowns of Smithtown and create transparency in local government while welcoming community involvement in public decision-making.
Patty (Camassa) Stoddard grew up in Nesconset and graduated from Smithtown Central High School. After achieving her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Oswego, Patty continued her studies and earned her Master of Arts degree from Stony Brook University. She started teaching in Smithtown in 1974 where she developed strong community relationships with parents, students, teachers, and administrators. In her role as a teacher, Patty served on district-wide committees, was Instructional Specialist for middle school mathematics, and provided professional development for other teachers. She has always been one to go above and beyond what was required of her, and her friendly personality makes her very approachable and receptive to others. Patty has supported many educational causes with her active membership in the Smithtown Teachers Association. As a union representative and Treasurer of the STA she is no stranger to attending rallies in Albany as well as locally, making phone calls, writing letters, and walking door-to-door throughout the community. She was also a delegate to the New York State Teachers Retirement System. These experiences have enabled Patty to make a smooth transition from retired teacher to a candidate for Smithtown Town Council.
Patty has a long history of community involvement and has been publicly active with land use issues in Nesconset. She has served as a Girl Scout leader, and was co-chair of the Religious Education Committee and a catechist at Nesconset’s Holy Cross Church. Patty was very active with the Smithtown Kickers Soccer Club where she coached and was Treasurer for over a dozen years and was also a supervisor for the Long Island Junior Soccer League. She currently serves on the board of the Smithtown Schools Retirees’ Association and is chairperson for the Smithtown Teacher Center.
Patty and her husband, Edward Stoddard, a retired Town of Smithtown employee, have been married for almost 40 years. They raised their three daughters, Jeannie, Pamela, and Tricia, in Nesconset.
Throughout her life, Patty has demonstrated strong commitment and dedication to the Smithtown community and is looking forward to the opportunity to identify and fulfill the needs of the citizens by serving on the Town Board. She and the SMITHTOWNFORWARD team will make our town government more effective and promote ‘Smart Growth’ in Smithtown.
Look for Patricia Stoddard on the Democratic Party ballot line, the Women’s Equality Party line, and the Working Families Party line on Election Day, November 7, 2017.