Verona Mayor Will Not Seek Re-Election

Verona Mayor Teena Schwartz will not seek a third term on the Township Council, but says she will continue to be actively engaged in the community.

Schwartz, who has served in the township for nearly three decades including stints on the Environmental Commission and Planning Board, says her decision is in part based on increased demands on her time, which include being a new grandmother.

"I don't really have time to continue to properly serve in my position on the council. I've been very busy and very distracted. Verona is a great town, and I'm privileged for having served it. I'm very pleased with the direction Verona is moving in, but it's time to give someone else the reins," Schwartz said Tuesday.

As an employee of the Essex County Division of Training and Employment, Schwartz' full time job entails offering advisement and assistance to people on welfare. On any given day, Schwartz juggles a case load of some 400 county residents in need of assistance, and in this economy, Schwartz says business is booming.

"It's been very busy. We're seeing former middle management people who were downsized and can't find work. After a while they find themselves on welfare," she said.

Given these added stressors, Schwartz says her attention has become too divided to remain on the council.

Schwartz says she is proud of her service, and that she looks forward to completing the budget, and completing the township's zoning ordinance in her remaining three months as mayor.

As a self-described former activist, she even expressed gratitude to the residents who regularly attend meetings to hold the council's feet to the fire.

"People questioning the council makes my job more interesting because that's where I came from," she said.

"It makes you think. You don't always necessarily agree with them, but I think it's a healthy thing for our democracy."

Schwartz also has the distinction of being the township's second female mayor. She said she was "disappointed" that this year's field of eight council candidates does not include any women, but said she was looking forward to seeing how this year's election pans out.

"It's been a long road. It will be interesting to see how this goes."

Schwartz says she would like to resume work on bringing a community garden to Verona, which she said was sidetracked during her time on the council due to the ever-present reality of budgetary constraints.

"Seeing how great a community garden would be for seniors, school children and just building community unity -- that's a project I'd really like to do now."