From Westwood Council Chambers to Prosecutor’s Office: Mayor Ray Arroyo Honors Alyssa Dawson’s Inspiring Legal Journey
photo courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WESTWOOD, N.J. — In a heartfelt tribute, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo celebrated the milestone swearing-in of Alyssa Dawson as she joins the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecutor.
Mayor Arroyo shared a touching personal reflection on Dawson’s legal ascent, highlighting her unwavering dedication to ethics, community service, and justice—qualities that first surfaced during their shared political career in Bergen County.
A Moving Moment at the Hackensack Courthouse
In early June, Mayor Arroyo and his wife, Joann, attended the New Jersey Superior Court in Hackensack to witness Dawson take her oath as a member of the New Jersey Bar. When Dawson’s father, George, was unable to attend due to health issues, Dawson asked Mayor Arroyo to stand in his place and hold the Bible.
“I was honored to do for her what she’d done for me,” Mayor Arroyo shared, calling Dawson “the daughter-we-never-had.”
The 2018 Election Recount That Showcased Legal Tenacity
The bond between Arroyo and Dawson was forged eight years ago when both ran as incumbent colleagues on the Westwood Borough Council. Following a contentious outcome, Dawson’s sharp research skills, attention to legal detail, and determination proved pivotal in challenging the 2018 election results in court.
Despite conceding her own election loss, Dawson worked tirelessly alongside Arroyo to ensure election integrity for local voters. Her efforts ultimately led to the court ruling that reinstated Arroyo to the Borough Council in 2019, paving the path to his current seat as Mayor of Westwood.
“Not a Good Candidate… A Great One!”
When contacted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO) for a reference, Mayor Arroyo’s response was immediate:
“So when the ECPO asked me if I thought she’d be a good candidate for the job, I had to honestly say no. Because I knew that she’d be a great one!”
As Alyssa Dawson officially begins her career as an Assistant Prosecutor, the Westwood community and municipal leaders join in celebrating her accomplishment and wishing her success in serving the people of New Jersey.
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