Sunday, April 27, 2025
The Malverne Civic Association held a Meet the Candidates Night on March 3 at Village Hall, giving two candidates for the village Board of Trustees the opportunity to outline their platforms.
The event, which was moderated by Liz Dougherty, a civic association board member, allowed both candidates to introduce themselves to the community and discuss their candidacy before the March 18 vote.
Lori Lang, running on the Hometown Pride Party, is seeking re-election, and Megan O’Rourke-Schutta is campaigning for the seat vacated by Trustee Perry Cuocci, who will retire at the end of March after serving eight years on the Village Board. Both candidates are running unopposed for the four year positions with the board.
O’Rourke-Schutta, who grew up in Rockville Centre, has been a resident of Malverne since 2012. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and then Manhattan College, before receiving a master’s degree in clinical social work from Fordham University. She is currently a clinical social worker in a special education preschool.
“As a social worker, I’ve supported children and families through difficult situations, advocated for change when needed, and successfully collaborated with various agencies to obtain needed resources,” O’Rourke-Schutta said. “I not only listen, but really hear parents’ concerns and help them through challenging situations.”
O’Rourke-Schutta became involved with village politics in 2023 while working with the Good Neighbors Party for the election of Mayor Tim Sullivan, Trustee Scott Edwards and Village Justice James Frankie.
“Walking the streets of Malverne and speaking with the residents,” she said, “I was inspired to become even more invested in our village.”
O’Rourke-Schutta has served as chair of the village’s Celebrations Committee, overseeing holiday light celebrations in Malverne, Groundhog Day traditions and Memorial Day festivities. She’s also served as a member of the Malverne Youth Board, co-president of the Our Lady of Lourdes school board and co-chair for the Our Lady of Lourdes 100th anniversary. In addition, she’s a board member of the Moms of Malverne group, a long standing local organization she helped revitalize.
“As your trustee, I will make sure your tax dollars are spent wisely,” she said, “continue to support and develop our business district, continue to provide the services we enjoy and expect. I’ll be a voice for the residents, making sure things are done in a fiscally responsible way, while keeping Malverne beautiful.”
Lang, a lifelong resident of Malverne, has been a member of the Board of Trustees since her election in March 2023. In her role as trustee, Lang has served as commissioner of the Malverne Fire Department, a Celebrations Committee liaison, education liaison and Malverne Public Library liaison.
“I offer a lifetime of professional experience and a track record of active community service,” Lang told the Candidates Night audience. “I am eager to continue advocating for you and your interests as a trustee for the Village of Malverne for the next four years.”
Lang has 30 years of experience in business administration, she said, explaining that it has assisted her as trustee, helping guide the board in crafting village and departmental budgets with the goal to keep taxes low for residents, while continuing to provide services to the community.
Lang obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fordham University and later returned for her MBA. She’s worked in communications in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, before taking on a role in her family business, Hunts Point Market in the Bronx. She spent 16 years managing accounts and working in quality control, before the business was sold in 2017. Since then, she has started and operated a small real estate business in Malverne and was recently recruited as a real estate agent by Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
“My experience as a small business owner and real estate agent has given me unique insight into the challenges our local business face and the dedication it takes to success in our community,” Lang said.
Lang and her husband, Rob, a sergeant with the Malverne Police Department, have served the community as coaches for the Our Lady of Lourdes soccer and basketball teams. They’re also the directors of the Malverne Mohawks Lacrosse Club.
Lang created the “I Love Malverne” Facebook group in 2011 and continues to oversee the 6,000-member group. She has utilized this “go-to community board for residents” to coordinate various fundraising efforts. During the pandemic, she helped organize the Malverne Feeding our Heroes and Malverne Helping our Merchants fundraising campaigns, which raised more than $50,000 for Malverne storefronts during the pandemic.
“Your vote and support is very important to me, in order to serve you, our taxpayers,” Lang said.
The March 18 Village of Malverne elections will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church St.
