By Karen Barone
Callahan said he is seeking re-election to help continue to make Malverne a better place to live. Malone, a 27-year Malverne Ambulance Corps veteran, 11 as chief, said he sees the trustee position as an extension of the service he have been giving the community for many years. Pupke said he loves the village and believes the strengths he brings to the board make him well suited to be a trustee.
One issue that concerns all three trustee contenders is the financial status of the village, especially with state aid cuts looming.
"Malverne will be one of the hardest hit areas," said Malone. "One of my main goals is to maintain tax increases to a minimum."
"Many costs within our budget are fixed costs, like liability and insurance, which are not in our control," said Callahan. "We must vigorously apply for grants and do what is best for the village."
Pupke said he feels the board has done a great job regarding fiscal responsibility. "My first year on the board we held taxes at zero," he said. "We must continue to give residents the maximum for their tax dollars."
The three men who will face off in the March 18, village election, do agree on some important key issues, such as road repair. Each one agrees that a continual road improvement plan must be put in place. The men resolve that the repairing of the village's 26 miles of roadway is manageable if done in increments of two to three miles per year under a capital improvement plan.
Another important issue is the parking lot across from the San-dee Bowling alley, located in downtown Malverne. It has become a bone of contention for the current board, yet Malone and Pupke propose the same resolution. The lot is privately owned by Bell-Rex and in grave need of repair, which the owners have refused to authorize. The village does manage a part of the lot, so Malone and Pupke propose that the village make only emergency repairs to the lot to ensure the safety of the residents. They agree that the sub-structure remains the responsibility of the owners and contend that the issue is of capital improvement, not of routine maintenance, which the village provides.
Callahan, meanwhile states that although he would like to see the owners attend to the necessary repairs, in the end, should they continue to refuse, the village should step in. "If push comes to shove, the village must fix the lot, because that is what will benefit the residents," said Callahan.
The three men would bring to the board their own different work ethics and agendas. Malone stresses his desire to work closely with village organizations and department heads to maintain the level of service residents deserve. If appointed, he plans to be a visible and accessible trustee, who will encourage feedback from the residents. He looks to involve more residents in committees that benefit the village and has a high regard for the value of volunteerism.
Callahan is intent on continuing the good job he feels he started four years ago. He admits to being a no-nonsense kind of guy who likes to go in and get the job done efficiently and in a timely manner. If re-elected, he would work to upgrade village codes and concentrate on improving service to residents in his next term. "Many things were accomplished during my last term and there is still much to do," said Callahan. "I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve Malverne."
Pupke has a true passion for government and his job as trustee. He would like to spend the next four years working to beautify Malverne and make it more pedestrian friendly. He stresses the need for village code updates as well and will work to improve park facilities. "I've worked hard for years trying to make things better in this village and I would like to continue," said Pupke.
The only blatant difference between the candidates is whom they support for the position of mayor. Pupke would like to see current mayor Anthony Panzarella remain in office. "Right now, we have a board that works," he said. "The present board is unparalleled as far as what we have accomplished."
Malone is supporting Joseph Hennessy in the election. "Joe Hennessy's philosophy of how to run a budget makes sense," said Malone. "He has fiscal integrity and nobody knows the budget better than he does."
Callahan said is prepared to work with either candidate. "I know I can work effectively with either Panzarella or Hennessy," he said. "The state of the village has been strong under the current administration, where I have worked well with both men."
Regardless of the election results, all three men agree that whether or not they sit on the board they will continue their efforts to improve the quality of life in Malverne, a town the all take great pride in.
