Freeholder Deborah P. Scanlon
A lifelong resident of Union County, Freeholder Deborah Scanlon has served Union County families for more than 14 years. She was first elected to the Freeholder Board in 1997 and is in her fifth term. She served as Freeholder Chairman in 2003 and 2011, and in 2010 she was Freeholder Vice Chairman.
As Chairman in 2003, Scanlon oversaw the creation of the Committee on Homeland Security, a comprehensive Countywide program that prioritized the safety of Union County families. She also oversaw the expansion of the Union County Police Department’s Child Safety Seat Program. Since its inception in 1999 this lifesaving service has provided more than 42,000 free inspections. Based on this success, the Child Safety Seat Program recently relocated to a larger, more centrally located, family-friendly quarters.
Continuing her lifelong advocacy for children and families as Chairman in 2011, Scanlon initiated the production of a free educational DVD on cyber safety and cyber bullying in partnership with the Prosecutor’s office, which was welcomed enthusiastically by guidance counselors, educators and others working with young people.
Also as Chairman in 2011, she was instrumental in promoting science based nutritional guidelines designed to help families fight childhood obesity and improve overall health.
Workforce development has been another hallmark of her tenure as Freeholder, and she has worked with numerous committees, advisory boards and associations to help connect job seekers with Union County businesses.
Since 2006, Freeholder Scanlon has served on the Union County Shade Tree committee. The Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation offers free trees to schools and sponsors the “Young Writers of Union County” poetry contest for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.
She has served as liaison to Runnells Specialized Hospital and is a strong supporter of maintaining the hospital’s status as New Jersey’s premier County-run health care facility while serving on advisory boards for hospice and home health care, juvenile justice and voter accessibility.
Freeholder Scanlon is a former member of the Union Township Board of Education, where she served as Finance Chair, liaison to the Union County School Boards Association and representative to the Union Township committee.
She was born and raised in Summit and moved to Union in 1983. She is married to Patrick Scanlon, former Mayor of Union and former member of the Union Township Committee. She and Patrick reside in Union Township. They have three children: Tammie, Lisa and Patrick IV, and six grandchildren.
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