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ABOUT DAHLIA VERTREESE
Dahlia Vertreese serves as the Mayor of Hillside, New Jersey, bringing a robust background in public service and labor relations to her role. Raised by a Newark police officer and a nurse/hospital administrator, she developed an understanding of community challenges and the importance of service at an early age. Mayor Vertreese began as a paralegal and took on the role of Labor Relations Specialist for the Newark Public Schools. After the passing of her father, Vertreese transitioned into education where she taught Advanced Placement History, Sociology, and Holocaust and Genocide studies.
In 2015, Vertreese resumed her profession as an organizer with Local 68 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, which requires that she manage grievances and arbitrations for over 7,000 members throughout the State of New Jersey.
She is known for protecting the most vulnerable and demonstrates her dedication to workers’ rights by fearlessly advocating for the fairest outcome for members. Mayor Vertreese fosters relationship-based governance and is focused on listening to what people need and responding quickly--even through social media direct messaging.
Vertreese has provided a climate of transparency by providing a tax breakdown in every tax bill, providing a complete breakdown of each department during the State of the Township, and hosting block meetings, ward meetings, and yearly budget hearings for her constituents.
Vertreese seeks to provide the clarity and fiscal responsibility that she did not have as a constituent. As the mother of the three boys and a former educator, Mayor Vertreese has brought family and community-conscious programming to the township. Vertreese completed the AFL-CIO Labor Candidate School after which she was elected to the Hillside Board of Education, eventually serving as Board President.
"In 2016, Vertreese graduated from EmergeNJ, an organization dedicated to training women to run for office and endorsed by ElectWomenNJ."
Vertreese has sponsored and mentored women who matriculated through EmergeNJ and is a staunch supporter of more women in executive roles. In 2017, Mayor Vertreese was elected Mayor and taking office in January 2018.
In November 2021, Vertreese launched a grassroots campaign and was re-elected as the first duly elected Mayor to win without a run-off in over twenty (20) years. In September 2021, Make the Road Action endorsed Vertreese for reelection, praising her advocacy for working class and immigrant communities, framing her as an “independent, progressive voice” in support of workers’ rights.
Her strategic endorsements and ability to address constituent concerns despite many complexities and obstacles, have brought her far in the eyes of people who want better government. Throughout her political career, Mayor Vertreese has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing her community by improving infrastructure and ensuring financial solvency for the township’s future. In May 2022, she participated in Rutgers' Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO) “Pathways to Power” retreat. As a featured labor and municipal leader, she joined other high-profile organizers and activists, underlining her reputation as a bridge between labor movements and municipal governance. In January 2024, Vertreese endorsed Congressman Andy Kim for the U.S. Senate, choosing to support an outsider over party-preferred candidate speaks to her commitment to make challenging decisions for the complete benefit of her community and the State.
Vertreese often speaks about “Building Connections for our Future Together” and her support of candidates throughout the State serves that purpose. Vertreese has prevailed over many political obstacles and has a dedicated commitment to protect Hillside’s future as safe, family-friendly, community- centered, equitable, functioning, and prominent place to live. People describe Mayor Dahlia Vertreese’s leadership as "empathy-driven," due to her consistent efforts to put people at the center of her policies and decisions, especially during times of crisis or community need. Mayor Vertreese has led snow plowing efforts during massive snowstorms, she has walked door to door for FEMA and OEM to help residents navigate insurance and financial concerns during Hurricane Ida and set up outreach, food distribution, COVID testing and other health and safety protocols throughout the COVID-19 pandemic whereby township employees safely worked during restricted public access. During the pandemic, Vertreese used the reduced public access to make much needed repairs and remediation within township buildings.
Mayor Vertreese was honored by Union County with a SHero Award for her extraordinary leadership during the COVID19 pandemic. As a former educator, Vertreese continued her literacy efforts throughout the Hillside Public Schools. Vertreese began guest reading to elementary school students in 2009 when her first son attended A.P. Morris and as her youngest attends Ola Edwards Community School. On January 17, 2025, she was appointed a Mentor Reader for Scholastic Real, in recognition of her commitment to community development and literacy. This role underscores her dedication to educational engagement. On January 17, 2025, she was appointed a Mentor Reader for Scholastic Real, in recognition of her commitment to community development and literacy. For older students Vertreese created the “Clean Team” a paid youth employment program that offers local teens the chance to contribute to beautifying the township, learning building trades skills, serving as counselors to younger generations and as interns in specific offices tailored to their interests while earning a paycheck. Despite criticism for the program, it is an investment in dignity, pride and opportunity that students should be able to have within their hometown.
Vertreese’s tenure has been marked by many accomplishments, including but not limited to:
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Reinstating the annual State of the Township after 16 years.
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Building a 21 st Century aligned Veterans Memorial Library (circa August 2025)
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Acquiring a new Senior Services Transportation Bus.
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Achieving an A-1 bond rating, facilitating economic development.
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Securing an Opportunity Zone designation for the township.
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Renovating and remediating two (2) Hillside firehouses.
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Installing HVAC and new equipment for both the recreation center and new playground equipment for township parks.
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Annual Breast Cancer walks, Bike Rodeo and an affordable full-day summer programs for residents.
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A brand-new Spray Park (opening August 2025) and a pool (circa Summer 2026)
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Amassing over 7 million dollars in federal and state funding for road repair projects
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Repair of the Roosevelt Drive retaining wall
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Repair of Belleview Terrace curb sides and drainage
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Repair of Underground water for Orchard Terrace
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4-way Stop Signs on the corners of Westminster Street, Wilder and Salem Avenue
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In 2024 Vertreese initiated a reverse tax appeals process to ensure fair share taxes are paid by commercial businesses.
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Established the “Clean Team” youth employment summer program and for township events that require additional assistance.
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Renovating the Recreation Center with new floors, new roof and bathroom safety protocols
In April 2025, Mayor Vertreese announced that she is running for a 3rd term as Mayor and wishes to bring on-going projects to completion. In May 2025, Rutgers–Newark SPAA presented Mayor Vertreese with the Sharon Stroye SPAA Community Engagement Award, honoring her “outstanding contributions to the community through time, actions, talents, and dedication.” In July 2025, Mayor Vertreese was endorsed along with 48 other state-wide candidates by the AFL-CIO. Vertreese is an active 29-year member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and is a member of EmergeNJ, ElectWomenNJ, the New Jersey Labor Advisory Council, the Union County Central Labor Council, and the Essex West Hudson Labor Council. Academically, Vertreese holds a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and History, as well as a Master of Arts in Sociology- University of Arkansas- Fayetteville. Mayor Vertreese is married to Derek who is the current President of the Zeta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and fellow University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Alumni.
