Neil Smoller: Compound Interest

What makes Saugerties unique?

I think it’s the willingness and ability of Saugerties to keep that business district vibrant and keep the downtown as beautiful as it is. If you go from Saugerties to other communities, you can see by comparison how beautiful our downtown is, our village.

What is your favorite virtue?

I’d have to say service.

What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?

A musician. I wouldn’t mind taking guitar lessons or piano lessons in the near future. I was in the high school band [trumpet and tuba] but only took it half seriously because I was a teenager. Now that I see how great music is, I’d really like to take it up. Maybe when my kids are older we can all take lessons together.

What are your favorite color, flower and animal?

Maroon, lilacs, and whales. Maroon is a very nice dark red color, and there was a lilac bush at the end of my property growing up, I always remember that. We’ve gone whale-watching a couple of times, but always end up getting seasick, because we go the wrong time of year and it’s windy and nasty out.

What do you like about this community?

How supportive everyone is of each other. The individuals that take a risk and open businesses – everyone bends over backward to see that they’re taken care of. Our patients are extremely loyal and do so much to support us. For example, there was a piece of legislation that just passed that gives patients the choice between a mail order pharmacy and the community pharmacy, and a lot of our patients signed petitions – there were a few hundred phone calls from my two pharmacies up to the governor’s office in the past week or two on it, and some people were even blogging about it. Everybody’s really willing to put effort into supporting the local businesses like us.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here?

Glen of Glen’s Windows is my favorite. He’s a very vibrant character – and if you’ve ever been in the vicinity of the store when he’s been here, you know what I mean. He’s actually exploding with happiness, and he loves people.

What is your idea of a perfect Saturday?

Hanging out with my wife and the triplets at home – nowhere to go, maybe a pizza party dinner, watching some TV, playing some games, playing with toys, running around the house. Just good old-fashioned hanging out with the kids. In spring and summer we like going up to North Lake with them and hiking and playing on the beach.

What qualities do you admire most in others?

Funny people, those that are motivated, that follow through, and are mature.

What is your idea of happiness?

Being able to have something to do that you believe in and are striving for, with your family there, healthy and happy by your side.

What is your idea of misery?

Navigating this life alone.

What talent do you wish you had been given?

Some sort of artistic creativity. I’m good at copying people, but can’t come up with many things on my own. I’m good with taking somebody else’s idea and improving on it, but very rarely do I find myself coming up with something brand new that I think people would follow or use.

What is your main fault?

I get “barky” and let my mean side out pretty easily. My filter kinda breaks down too easily sometimes, and I’ve been working on refining that, but I bark a lot, especially to my employees.

For which fault do you have the most tolerance?

Probably lack of tact. If people can’t think of the right thing to say I think I’m pretty forgiving as long as I get the context of what they’re saying.

What is your favorite motto?

“Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.”

Do you have any heroes?

My wife Erin gets the cape for hero. She keeps the house together and manages all the kids, can do it by herself and has for some time.

What character in history do you most dislike?

Any politician that puts their own needs in front of others, above their social responsibility.

What is your present state of mind?

To be honest, now that this legislation has passed, right now my state of mind is moving towards activism and grassroots efforts trying to change all the craziness that’s going on as best I can, benefitting me long term with my businesses and making sure they’re always there, and then for my patients, because my businesses only exist because of my patients.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear Saint Peter say when he greets you?

“The time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted.”