Pamela Panzenbeck likes to joke that she never planned on being mayor. A lifelong Glen Cove resident and a retired teacher, she spent 34 years in the Levittown public school system and dedicated much of her free time to raising a family and volunteering in the community. Politics, she says, “was never, ever part of my plan.”
But one thing led to another — encouragement from friends, a few City Council campaigns and, eventually, an unexpected run for mayor — and now, at 72, she’s seeking a third term leading the city she’s called home all her life.
Known affectionately by many residents as “the people’s mayor,” Panzenbeck says the nickname is one of the greatest compliments she’s received. “People consider me approachable, available and helpful to them,” she said. “I didn’t just decide to join organizations because I was deciding to run for political office. I’ve been serving my community always.”
Her first term began in 2022, in what she describes as a challenging situation. The city was facing a significant deficit, and infrastructure — from parks and stadiums to water systems and city vehicles — was in urgent need of attention. “I walked in and thought, good Lord, what did I just do to myself?” she recalled. “We had a tremendous deficit. Morgan Park was deteriorated. The city stadium had been neglected for years.”
Panzenbeck’s administration set to work on immediate priorities, such as repairing dangerous retaining walls, updating park facilities and replacing outdated equipment. “I think I have more accomplishments in four years — in the finances, municipal buildings, and recreation — yet I still have more to do,” she said.
One of her top focuses has been improving Glen Cove’s aging water infrastructure. New wells have been brought online, filtration systems installed and comprehensive refurbishment plans put in place for all of the city’s water sources. Flooding, a longstanding issue on streets like Woolsey Avenue, is being addressed with new storm drains, catch basins and other drainage improvements. Road paving has also ramped up, guided by annual assessments that rank the city’s streets by condition.
Financial stability, Panzenbeck argues, is another major success of her administration. Under her leadership, Glen Cove has seen three budgets with no tax increases and one modest increase, while its Moody’s credit rating improved from negative to BAA1. “It makes people want to invest in our city,” she said. The city was also removed from the state comptroller’s fiscal stress list for the first time since 2017, and now boasts a small but meaningful budget surplus.
Housing is another issue she plans to continue working on if re-elected. Panzenbeck supports mixed-income developments, and says Glen Cove must prioritize affordable options, particularly for seniors and veterans. “We absolutely need more housing,” she said. “We have to work on it far more for maybe our seniors and our veterans.”
Her administration has also tightened local codes on Airbnbs and smoke shops, citing public safety concerns, and hired new police officers to strengthen the force. When it comes to federal immigration enforcement, she says the city stays informed but focuses its own resources locally. “They’re not taking people that we want in our community,” she said.
After three and a half years in office, Panzenbeck believes her record speaks for itself — but she insists there’s more to do. “I’ve hit the ground running, and I have not stopped,” she said. “I have Glen Covers on such a good road, and I need to continue that.”
