Wyckoff Republicans Supporting Incumbents, Former Mayor's Wife For Town Committee

WYCKOFF, N.J. — The Republican Party of Wyckoff has announced it is supporting two Township Committee incumbents and the wife of a longtime mayor for election to the Township Committee this year.

The party is supporting incumbents John Carolan and Timothy Shanley and Hayley Rooney, the wife of former mayor and current Assemblyman Kevin Rooney. Their terms would begin Jan. 1, 2018.

Carolan, the incumbent deputy mayor, and Rooney are running for full, three-year terms. Shanley, an incumbent, will be running for an unexpired term.

Carolan was first elected to the committee in 2015 and serves a variety of roles within township government, including fire commissioner, and previously served on the Board of Education and Board of Adjustment.

He has lived in town since 2008. He is chief of staff of Pfizer Inc.'s strategy, portfolio and commercial operations organization. He has a master's degree in marketing from Saint Joseph's University.

"My goal in running for reelection is to continue the work of representing all the views of our residents and enriching the strong values of community, volunteerism and affordability," Carolan said in a statement. “I consider this role an opportunity to give back to my community in the true sense of volunteerism, which is why I do not take compensation for my work on the township committee.”

Hayley Rooney is married to Assemblyman Kevin Rooney. She is a longtime member, and 2nd lieutenant, of the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps and is a member of the township's recreation board.

"My decision to run for Township Committee is foremost to be a good steward of the town with a goal of leaving Wyckoff a better community for our residents," Rooney said.

She owns Rooney Sport Horses and is the head trainer at the North Jersey Equestrian Training Center. She and her husband have four children and two grandchildren. Her father was longtime Mayor Henry Shotmeyer Jr.

She is head coach of the William Paterson University equestrian team and created a scholarship that supports high-achieving students from urban school districts.

Shanley is serving a one-year unexpired term on the committee. The seat became available after former Mayor Kevin Rooney was appointed to serve the remaining balance of former District 40 Assemblyman Scott Rumana's term.

Shanley was appointed in January to serve the rest of Kevin Rooney term. He is liaison to the ambulance corps, Board of Adjustment, Zabriskie House and Shade Tree Committee. He moved to Wyckoff with his wife and three boys in 2008.

Shanley is an attorney and partner at the law firm of LeClair Ryan in Newark. He has practiced commercial litigation for 19 years.

He previously served on the Board of Adjustment and Board of Education Foundation. He has also coached recreation sports.

"My lifelong passion has been my faith in God, my family and volunteering for the betterment my community," Shanley said. "Wyckoff has strong values that I share and I will continue to dedicate myself to serve our residents and work to preserve our values for the enhancement of our community without any compensation for my work on the Township Committee.”

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Photos: John Carolan and Hayley Rooney; Timony Shanley. — Courtesy of Republican Party of Wyckoff