Harold "Hal" VanDermark

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“Having raised my family here over the last 35 years and being a local business owner, I have seen Dunellen progress and make changes for the better. It has been an honor to work on your behalf as a Council Member, as well as serving in the Navy, and I am looking forward to earning your vote in November to continue that service. Let’s continue to honor Dunellen’s rich history while bringing new ideas to the table to move Dunellen forward.” 

BIO

Harold “Hal” VanDermark was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was raised in Edison, NJ and after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years, three of those on the Aircraft Carrier USS America during the Cold War Era.

During his time in the Navy, Hal met his wife Liz and they were married shortly thereafter and soon welcomed home their daughter Joan. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, they moved to Edison where their son Hal Jr was born. As the family expanded, so did their drive to find a home in a small-quant town, and in 1987, the VanDermarks moved to Dunellen and have been proud to call it home ever since. 

A Family Full of Dunellen Pride
After serving in the Navy, Hal spent his earlier years working at Rent-Rite in Piscataway and Taylor Rental in Dunellen as a manager. He later would become the owner and operator of Inspire Art Gallery and Studio in Dunellen. 

Raising children in a small town was very important to Hal and Liz as it enabled their children to participate in a wide variety of activities and programs, which in turn, offered them ample opportunities to volunteer in town. 

Liz spent many hours volunteering with the Dunellen PTO and the Dunellen Booster Club, as Hal coached Recreation Softball and Baseball and was involved in the Recreation Department under Clem Santy. He was also a founding Board Member of the Green Brook Hockey Club. 

It’s always been important to volunteer and give back to the town that has given his family so much, and Hal strives to set a positive example for his children and six grandchildren.  

As a resident, Hal attended council meetings frequently to stay current on Borough matters, and served on Dunellen Downtown Management Organization and the Dunellen Arts & Culture Commission. Hal is proud of his involvement with both organizations as they have worked to help beautify/promote Dunellen’s downtown and support the arts in our Miracle Mile.  

Getting Involved in the Dunellen Borough Council

In 2021, Hal joined the Dunellen Borough Council after he was unanimously supported by Democrats and Republicans to complete a term left vacant by a resigning councilmember. During his tenure on the Dunellen Borough Council Hal has:

• Worked with the Finance Committee to deliver a 0% increase in the budget for the CY2022 Municipal Budget 
• Worked with Mayor Cilento on the Mayor’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force and the Mayor’s Cannabis Task Force
• Worked as the liaison to the Dunellen Office of Emergency Management/CERTs to assist in furthering their operational needs
• Worked on the Police Committee to help promote public safety 
• Worked with the Recreation Commission to enhance events and programs for children, adults and seniors
• Supported the redevelopment efforts in downtown Dunellen to continue Dunellen’s revitalization efforts
• Worked to create a Dunellen that benefits both its residents and small businesses

Having raised his family here and lived in Dunellen for 35 years, served his country in the U.S. Navy, and is a Dunellen business owner, Hal has seen the progress Dunellen has made over the years and he is eager to continue making progress and moving Dunellen forward. 

He will continue to honor Dunellen’s rich history while working with residents to bring new ideas to the table to move Dunellen forward. He firmly believes in the motto, “Dunellen’s Future, Together!”