The following press release was sent by Mary Devon O’Brien of the Maplewood Republican Committee. Phyllis Scalera is running unopposed in the Republican Primary for Maplewood Township Committee. Primary election day is June 2, 2015. Scalera will compete against the two top finishers in a three-way race for the Democratic Primary in the general election in November.
Inspired by her brother, C. Robert Sarcone, Esq., and his dedicated service as a New Jersey Assemblyman and State Senator, Phyllis F. Scalera decided to reach beyond her extensive community service to serve her community in a new capacity as a Republican Candidate for the Maplewood Township Committee.
Attracted by its charm and good schools, Phyllis and her husband moved to Maplewood where they began raising their two children, Francine and Anthony, who attended the Maplewood Schools and Columbia High School. While as a young mother Phyllis was widowed after being in Maplewood only 10 years, she demonstrated her ability to seek out opportunities and meet and overcome adversity.
To support her family, Phyllis first worked as a Secretary in the South Orange Middle School for 10 months plus an additional two months at the board of Education followed by work at Columbia High School, in the Registrar’s Office. Viewed as a person who got things done and done well, she then was hired to work in the Irvington School System, where she worked for 26 years before finally retiring from the Administration Office in her seventies.
In addition to her career, Phyllis has been an active Maplewood volunteer throughout the years. She is a member of the Maplewood Garden Club, she is the Treasurer of the Seniors, and she has served in several leadership positions in the Maplewood Woman’s Club Evening Membership Department (EMD) and is currently EMD Co-Chair.
Phyllis is positive and energetic. She says: ”You can’t walk away from problems and get things done. No matter how difficult it seems, you have to face the problems and tackle them to accomplish anything positive.“ She also believes in the Golden Rule, and lives her life by helping people, especially those who are vulnerable. Her priorities as a member of the Maplewood Township Committee would be to work to help Seniors and young families, and adds that she knows about the challenges that face both groups. She also wants to ensure that we keep the beauty and charm of “small town” Maplewood.
