Q&A with Mayor Mary Bossart

Mayor Mary Bossart has been the leader of Rockville Centre for the past three years. She recently sat down with Patch to offer residents a more personal look into the life of the woman who runs the village.

Patch: If you weren't in government, what could you see yourself doing?

Mayor Mary Bossart: I've been a college teacher. I also worked for the church. I could see myself doing anything in the non-profit world. I enjoy doing tea presentations for various groups in the village.

Patch: If you had a ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

MB: Antarctica, if I could get there by plane!  My husband has traveled to every other continent except Antarctica, and of course, I would go with him.

Patch: What's the last good book you read?

MB: I'm in the midst of reading, "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It's about the people who worked with Lincoln during his administation. They had all opposed him at one time or another, and he put together a group to address those issues. 

Patch: What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

MB: Eggs and bacon, a cup of coffee, rye toast with strawberry jam.

Patch: If you ran into an old high school friend, how would they remember you?

MB: I ran into one person from high school a number of years ago. We were quiet people back then. I was involved in the drama club in school, and the speech and debate club. That was my thing. We used to do extemporaneous speeches, usually on current events, like the Vietnam War. I remember one on artificial heart transplants.

Patch: If you could relive one day in your life, which would it be?

MB: When I met my husband, when we got married, or when each of my children were born, they're all really special. It's a toss up. The first time I traveled out of the US, we went to London. Another would  have to be the first time I went to Cape Cod. I felt like I stepped back in time. It's so beautiful and quiet.

Patch: Can you recall a fond childhood memory?

MB: I had lots of them. I was very excited when my mother had my youngest sister, Madeline, because we had five kids in the family at that point. My sisters, who are twins, were paired off,  and my two brothers were close in age, so I wanted a sister badly. I remember the day she was born; it snowed that day.

Patch: What's one television show that you can't miss?

MB: I don't DVR anything. I watch re-runs!  It's not that important to me. I went to law school at night, so there's a whole portion of time in the 1980s that I have no idea what shows were on!

Patch: If you could listen to one musical artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?

MB: I like classical music, but the lighter kind. I always liked Carly Simon when I was younger. It was probably the first record I ever bought for myself.

Patch: What's you favorite dish?

MB: I like Thanksgiving dinner.

Patch: What's your favorite place to go in  the village?

MB: I like to go to my mom's house!