Democrats Announce Slate Of Wyckoff Committee Candidates

WYCKOFF, NJ — The three Democratic candidates for Township Committee this year will run as the One Wyckoff ticket because they want to represent all township residents.

Incumbent Brian Scanlan and newcomers Melissa Rubenstein and Carla Pappalardo make up the ticket. They announced their candidacy Monday morning.

"Even though we're Democrats, we really feel like we are a non-partisan group of individuals," Rubenstein said. "We all represent all aspects of life, and different groups of people, in Wyckoff."

Scanlan, 61, was deputy mayor in 2016. He is seeking his fourth, and likely final, three-year term, he said. He was sworn into his first term January 2009.

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"I think it's great that Carla and Melissa have elected to run," Scanlan said. "I think a key element to our approach is that we don't think that there is a place for partisanship at the local level. We want to take a nonpartisan approach to solving problems."

Scanlan is a member of Saint Elizabeth's Church where he was co-director of the soup kitchen, Sunday school teacher and a youth group volunteer.

While deputy chairman of the Finance Committee, township expenses increased less than 1 percent annually, according to the campaign. They did not provide information on the effect the increases had on local taxes.

Scanlan said, "independent, smart and pro-active community members" are needed on the Township Committee.

Scanlan has coached two dozen recreation teams and has served as a gold award advisory for local Girl Scouts. He and his wife Gail have three adult children, all of whom are graduates of Wyckoff schools and Ramapo High School. He is president of Thieme, a company that publishes literature for medical students and practitioners.

Rubenstein 37, is a realtor who volunteers with the Paramus Veterans Home and Rebuilding Together's North Jersey chapter. Rebuilding Together is nonprofit that assists low-income homeowners.

She and her husband Sam support the Wyckoff YMCA and the Wyckoff Education Foundation. They have two children, ages 5 and 3.

“I’m running so that all citizens in Wyckoff — including our women and moms — feel that they have a seat at the table and a voice that echoes their concerns," Rubenstein said.

Pappalardo is running for a one-year unexpired term. She is a labor relations attorney and has worked as negotiator for United Airlines. She and her husband Joe have two college-age children who are Indian Hills High School graduates.

She has served on the executive boards of the Sicomac and Eisenhower school parent teacher organizations. She was executive producer of Franklin Lakes Oakland Wyckoff Follies, a college scholarship fundraising organization. She also served on the Wyckoff Municipal Alliance and the Indian Hills High School Project Graduation Committee.

"Wyckoff's strength is in the joint efforts of many individuals," Pappalardo said. "I am running as a progression of my volunteerism, and I want to represent those who believe that their concerns have not been addressed."

The three Democrats are slated to run against incumbent Republicans John Carolan and Timothy Shanley and newcomer Hayley Rooney in the general election. No other major party candidates have announced their candidacy for office.

Photo: Carla Pappalardo, Melissa Rubenstein and Brian Scanlan — the One Wyckoff Democratic team. — Courtesy of Melissa Rubenstein