Thursday, December 12, 2024
Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan addressed the announced closing of the Malverne Cinema, during the village board meeting on Nov. 6.
Malverne’s public board meetings are held each month at Village Hall, 99 Church St. They usually fall within the first week of the month. The trustees that make up the board are elected for four-year terms. The current trustees are Scott Edwards, Perry Cuocci, Carl Prizzi and Lori Lang.
Many residents said they were up in arms over the theater’s decision to shut its doors, saying that the cinema is what set Malverne apart from other areas on Long Island. The theater was open for 34 years, and shut down for financial and internal reasons.
The board took the initiative to address the closing of the theater on its own, before village members could mention it during the meeting. They seem to be well aware of the resident’s concerns and interests, and quick to respond.
“The board is doing everything they can to preserve the theater, and have a long-term viable plan for it,” Mayor Sullivan said during the meeting. “We are pleased about the progress of the restoration of this theater.”
Though the board is in talks to revamp the theater, it is important to note that all plans are tentative and nothing is set in stone as of yet.
Some of the main causes for concern among village residents were shared after the trustees announced their resolutions and updates. Recently, village members also expressed concern about local robberies and vandalism.
However, the biggest concern was that of the beloved cinema and its revitalization.
Resident Marian Dill said to the Mayor, “I’m glad you mentioned the theater because I was already going to. I’, happy to hear some moves are being made in that regard.”
Village resident TR King said of the Sept. 29 cinema closing, “it was our favorite place to see a movie. It’s a loss for the patrons; the citizens of Malverne and it will hurt the small local businesses. There’s no way I’ll drive to watch a movie on a big screen at Roosevelt Field. Now it’s on my list of former LI cinemas, which began with the Mini Cinema in Uniondale.”
Malverne’s village board meetings are now held in the newly constructed village hall, a central location that made it easier for residents to attend. The meetings have seen a marked increase in public participation as citizens have used them as the place to voice their concerns about local issues, such as road maintenance, zoning regulations and public safety.
Many of the residents, having moved to the area for its suburban charm and small-town feel, began to express concerns about preserving the character of Malverne as the population swelled. Over time, the need for more localized decision-making and services led to its incorporation as a village.
The history of Malverne’s village board meetings reflects the evolution of the village itself. Currently, the village board consists of a mayor, a clerk and four trustees. They handle local issues such as road maintenance, zoning regulations and public safety. At this early stage, meetings were held in a modest setting, often in someone’s home or at the local firehouse, as the village had yet to build any dedicated municipal facilities.
Established in 1921, Malverne was originally an unincorporated part of the Town of Hempstead. Over time, the need for more localized decision-making and services led to its incorporation as a village, marking the beginning of regular village board meetings. The monthly meetings have become a cornerstone of the village’s democratic process, serving as the public forum where residents can voice concerns, suggest improvements and interact with local officials.
To many, Malverne’s village board meetings remain an essential part of village life. Held regularly in the village hall, these meetings continue to be the primary venue for discussing matters that affect the community, from budgeting and taxes to zoning laws and environmental concerns.
While the format of the meetings may have evolved over time, the underlying spirit of these gatherings remains the same — a place where citizens can come together to voice their opinions, address their concerns, and work collectively toward shaping the future of their village.
