Malverne: A Slice of Country In the Middle of Suburbia

By Mayor Tony Panzarella

What comes to mind when you envision a small village with a farm, a quaint little business district, a charming old train station, a park with a gazebo and a picturesque Village Hall? The image that comes to my mind is not of an idyllic little hamlet somewhere out in the country. I think of Malverne.

But that description is just the beginning. Add to that picture well-kept homes and gardens, several houses of worship, good schools, beautiful parks, hometown police and fire departments, a fine library and a main street lined with American flags and flower baskets.

Malverne is all of the above and much more. But, quaintness and beauty aside, Malverne is a truly wonderful community because of the people who live and work there.

In an age when volunteerism is on a downturn, Malverne is blessed with literally scores of people who have stepped forward to help make their village shine. Most of our committees, commissions and boards consist of people who volunteer their time on behalf of our village.

And let us not forget our volunteer emergency services, including the Fire Department, Ambulance Corp, Police Reserve and Neighborhood Watch. Add to that an active Emergency Management Committee and an outstanding Police Department and it will come as no surprise that Malverne has received recognition as one of the safest communities in America.

I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the other dedicated employees who make our village work so well – from our Village Hall staff to our Public Works Department and from our Justice Court to our Building and Assessment Departments. Last, but by no means least, I would like to commend our village trustees for making my job as Mayor easier through their hands on approach to their duties and for the untold hours they spend alongside me working to keep our village running efficiently and effectively.

In addition to our “village family,” Malverne is also fortunate to have several outstanding local organizations working to benefit our community, such as the Malverne Merchants and Professionals Association, the Rotary Club, the Civic Association, the Friends of the Library and others too numerous to list in this limited space.

A visiting friend once told me that I was “lucky” to live in such a wonderful village. I told him that “luck” really had nothing to do with it. I didn’t just happen upon Malverne. I chose our village as the place to live and raise my children because the mayors and trustees and volunteers and residents who came before me made it such an inviting community. It is a legacy of which I am always mindful and one that I hope to leave intact to those who follow.