By Karen Barone
A life-long Malverne resident, Sallie started working for the village on a part-time basis in May 1974. The following year she was hired full-time as secretary to the Malverne Zoning Board. Sallie took the position of Village Clerk Treasurer in 1984, and her duties have included supervising nine village employees, being a liaison to the mayor and various administrative functions.
"Claire's responsibilities are so varied," said Deputy Village Clerk Treasurer Toni Sussman. "We will miss her. She literally does everything."
Those who know Sallie best said they would miss her warm sense of humor and leadership. "Claire is the person that calms everyone down and maintains an even keel," said Malverne Mayor Anthony Panzarella. "She is extremely competent and has been a mainstay in this office."
While a comical coffee mug and an office-generated citation framed above her desk hint at the stress that comes with the job, Sallie said she would remember her tenure warmly. "I look back and I can't believe it's been 28 years," she said.
Two weeks ago, co-workers called Sallie to the lobby of Village Hall, where the entire staff from the Department of Public Works was assembled. When she innocently asked what was going on, Sussman joked that they had come to file a grievance. Actually, the workers were there to give Sallie a retirement present, gold- and diamond-encrusted earrings.
"In my 20 years here," said Sussman, "I had never seen the entire department as a complete unit before. They came together for Claire."
Panzarella echoed the sentiment, saying, "You can judge someone by what their subordinates say, and everyone loves Claire."
Sallie has been deeply touched by the retirement wishes of the mayor and her staff and speaks proudly of the friendships the years have given her. Her retirement plans include leisurely summers at her home in Windham, with plenty of time spent at the beach and on the golf course. "I plan to play golf and be a beach bum," she said.
Sallie's retirement officially begins on Feb. 27. Teresa Emmel, currently the Floral Park deputy village clerk, will replace her. A retirement party for Sallie is set for Feb. 28 at the East Point Inn in East Rockaway.
