Freeholder Vice Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon
A lifelong resident of Union County, Deborah Scanlon has served Union County families for more than 12 years. She was first elected to the Freeholder Board in 1997 and is entering her fifth term on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. In 2003 she was Freeholder Chairman, and in 2010 she is Freeholder Vice Chairman. As Chairman she 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, and it recently moved into more centrally located and family-friendly quarters. Vice Chairman Scanlon has been a strong advocate for women, children and families in need. Through various workforce development programs, she has been instrumental in connecting job seekers with businesses. During her tenure as freeholder she worked with numerous committees, advisory boards and associations. Since 2006, Vice Chairman 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. She is a strong supporter for maintaining the hospital’s status as the state’s premier County-run health care facility. She also served on advisory boards for hospice and home health care, juvenile justice and voter accessibility. Vice Chairman 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.