On June 30th, in the last hours of her last day in office, Verona’s Mayor, who did not seek re-election, repeated my question, “What now, Teena Schwartz?”
After living in town with her family for more than 30 years and being active in many of the committees, organizations and Council over the last 27 years, with the last two years as Mayor, Schwartz now has nothing demanding to do during her evenings. “I’m going to take some time during the next year, step back, recharge my batteries. Maybe I’ll be a helper or volunteer somewhere.”
Schwartz has always had challenging day jobs. Currently she runs a program called Workforce Learning Link, which is a GED-ESL (General Education Development-English as a Second Language) Adult Education, county program run in coordination with the State Unemployment and Welfare Divisions.
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While helping the less fortunate of Essex County, Schwartz had numerous Verona Township responsibilities, including stints as the Chairperson of the Environmental Commission, founder and first president of the Verona Park Conservancy, on the Library Board, Planning Board and two, four-year terms on the Council. Schwartz added, “I haven’t had a real vacation in years and although I will look forward to a rest, I’m willing to serve on a committee in town again…after a break.”
Regarding the former Mayor’s last two years, Schwartz commented, “It was interesting, it was invigorating and it was a pleasure to see so many people involved. I didn’t mind the complaints and I always prided myself on looking at all sides of a situation. When I was a case manager at the Welfare Department, they always sent the tough ones to me.”
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On her wish list, Schwartz remarked, “I still haven’t given up and at some point I’d like to start a community garden. I wanted to start it when the bottom fell out and budgets were cut. We had already talked to the Environmental Commission on looking for a site but I couldn’t see spending money on it when we were looking to save. However, it doesn’t need to cost much. You need land, a water source and a fence. It is something I want to look into somewhere down the line.”
Schwartz explained that a community garden serves seniors, people who don’t have yards and anyone who wants to chat and get to know other people in town. You can even tie in science programs from the schools. “People buy a share and they get their own little plot. It’s very therapeutic and a great community builder. And this is a great community.”
