DeLuca Running Mate Named

Updated March 30, 2011, 12:30 p.m. A version of this story first posted on March 29, 2011, at 12:00 a.m.

On Monday night, the Maplewood Democratic Committee announced that it endorsed Mayor Vic DeLuca and new running mate India R. Larrier for the two seats up for election this year on the Maplewood Township Committee.

The position of DeLuca's running mate opened up earlier this month when Deputy Mayor Fred R. after 9 years on the Township Committee — several of them as mayor.

A primary election will be held in June and a general election in November. The filing deadline for the June primary is April 11. No Republican candidates have filed as of yet.

In making the announcement, Ian Grodman, Chair of the Maplewood Democratic Committee said, "The Maplewood Democratic Committee is thrilled that India Hayes Larrier will be joining Vic DeLuca on the Democratic ticket for Township Committee. Her years of personal experience in community building both in Maplewood and greater Essex County will strengthen an already exceptional Township Committee's ability to work on behalf of all Maplewoodians."

DeLuca is in his 12th year and fourth term on the Township Committee (elected '97 to '03 and '06 through '12). He has served as Mayor for six of those years. By day, DeLuca has been working at the Jesse Smith Noyes Foundation in New York since 1991 and has served as president of the nonprofit — which, according to its website, promotes a sustainable and just social and natural system by supporting grassroots organizations and movements — since 2000.

DeLuca expresssed his excitement about running again for office in Maplewood: "As I told the MDC, I really enjoy the opportunity. It's a privilege to work in your community. Any time you have the opportunity to shape the place you live and make it better for your family, yourself, your neighbors, it's terrific."

"It comes with frustrations," said DeLuca, "but it's tremendously rewarding." DeLuca acknowledged that these are hard times for governing both because of what he called "the lack of acceptance of elected officials" and the difficult economy. However, he said he has a "passion" for the job and still found it rewarding to "sit down, make public policy and solve real-life problems."

"I'm up for it. The last couple of years, we've made some tough decisions. I've had to make those decisions."

DeLuca's running mate India Hayes Larrier is accustomed to service to the community. By day, she is a private consumer advocate consultant working with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. A certified EMT (emergency medical technician), Larrier has been with the Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad since 2005 and now serves as its president.

Over the years, Larrier has served on numerous local nonprofits councils and boards including the Montclair Kimberley Academy Alumni Council, the Regional Business Partnership Community Affairs Group, the Salvation Army Essex County Advisory Board, The Newark Museum Council (vice president 1996), the Metro-Newark Chamber of Commerce Image Taskforce, Renaissance Newark Development Corporation (VP 1994) and the Maplewood/South Orange Community Coalition on Race. Hayes Larrier has received both the Junior League of Essex County Volunteerism Award and the Newark Literacy Volunteer Appreciation Award.

Larrier had this statement to make about her nomination: "It's actually humbling to think that I received the endorsement of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. They have faith in me and I hope to live up to their expectations."

"I'm running because I truly love Maplewood and this community. I look forward to working with Vic, getting it done in June and moving on to the next election."

Reached for comment late Monday night, DeLuca had this to say about his running mate: "I am excited to be running with India who has contributed so much to the community already. Being a Township Committeeperson will give her an opportunity to do even more to keep Maplewood as a great place to live and raise a family. She will bring a valuable perspective to the Township Committee."

Township Committeeperson Jerry Ryan was also effusive: "I've known India for a long time, and I'm very happy that she has put her name forward. She's been a dedicated volunteer in Maplewood for a long time, and I think that Maplewood will benefit even more with her energy and dedication on the Township Committee. I think it will be a great campaign."

Larrier was not the only candidate in the running according to Wayne Sullivan, Chair of the MDC Nominating Committee: "Down the final stretch, Maplewood was fortunate to have several excellent candidates for the two seats on the Township Committee to choose from including Mayor Vic DeLuca. Following an opening presentation statement by each candidate and a question and answer session, there was an open and sometimes lively debate among the 29 Democratic District leaders present about who might best serve Maplewood, but in the end it seemed to be India Larrier's proven record of Maplewood community involvement that launched her above the others."

As noted, filing deadline for the primary election is April 11. Last year, Bart Albini ran uncontested in the Republican primary. In 2009, Albini and Bob Perez ran unopposed in the Republican primary. When asked if he and Perez would be running again this year, Albini told Patch, "I don’t believe so. But we will be supporting the Republican Committee’s selection."

There are five seats on the Maplewood Township Committee, each running a term of three years. This year, two seats are up for election. Next year, another two seats will be up (those occupied by Ryan and Vice Mayor Kathleen Leventhal). Every third year, only one seat is up for election. Marlon K. Brownlee holds that seat, the term for which expires December 31, 2013.

All five seats are currently held by Democrats. No Republican has been elected to Maplewood Township Committee since 1991. The last Republican to serve left office in 1994. However, for decades before the early 1990s, Maplewood's elected leadership was solidly Republican.

The three other candidates for the nomination were:

Charles F. Waskevich, Jr., a long-time resident who is retiring as atrial attorney.
 
John Lorenzo, who heads the Hoboken University Medical Center.

Lee Navlen, a former producer at Fox News and now director of Naven Communications.

to let us know that he will be running for Township Committee independently of the Maplewood Democratic Committee. More to come!