County of Union, New Jersey

On behalf of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Chairman Alexander Mirabella issued the following statement today:

“A jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers heard the testimony and rendered him guilty of murdering George Floyd. Those jurors, from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, represent the America we believe in, one in which justice prevails over the abuse of power, and fact-based deliberation wins out against fear and prejudice. We hope this verdict marks the beginning of a more forceful, united effort to shed the systematic racism of the past once and for all, build a nation that moves ever closer to the democratic ideals of our founders, and set a worldwide example for all those who cherish freedom and liberty.”

Image source: https://etc.usf.edu

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that Union County’s free scrap metal recycling drop-off program continues in May. A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, will be accepted at two countywide collection sites in Cranford and Rahway every month from April to November.

“This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no outlet for scrap metal recycling,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Mirabella. “As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste – and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program.”

Scrap metal drop-off will be accepted Thursday, May 6 and Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two drop-off centers:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive Rahway off St. Georges to service yard across from swimming pool)

Scrap metal from residents in any Union County municipality may be brought to either of these sites.

The drop-off sites are available on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, from April through November.

To receive schedule alerts, and to stay up to date with Union County and local recycling programs, download the free Recycle Coach mobile app.

For everyone’s safety, residents must wear face coverings, keep their windows closed and remain in their vehicles at all times.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, for safe no-contact removal from vehicle.

Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum scrap, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.

Please note that plastic-encased dehumidifiers are not accepted.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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A new return envelope and instructional brochure will also be included with each Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that Union County voters who are using Vote-by-Mail ballots for the 2021 Primary Election will receive their ballots in bright yellow envelopes. The new envelopes were designed by Ms. Rajoppi in order to stand out from other mailings.

The 2021 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 8.

“The eye-catching new envelopes will help ensure that voters can easily distinguish their Vote-by-Mail ballots from other mail,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “To further reduce the chance of misplacing or accidentally discarding a ballot, I strongly encourage voters to fill out and return their Vote-by-Mail ballot as soon as they receive it.”

Voters can also quickly recognize their Vote-by-Mail ballot envelope by the words “OFFICIAL MAIL-IN BALLOT/BOLETA OFICIAL POR CORREO” in bold, black lettering to the right of the addressee window.

This year Ms. Rajoppi is also introducing a new return envelope with a see-through window, which is designed to expedite the processing of ballots. When voters place their ballot in the return envelope properly, their home address will appear in the window.

In addition, each Vote-by-Mail ballot will come with a brochure containing detailed instructions for filling out the ballot correctly.

The office of the County Clerk will begin sending Vote-by-Mail ballots for the 2021 Primary Election later this week, for approximately 40,000 Union County voters who have requested to be on the permanent list for automatically receiving a ballot.

Due to the volume of ballots involved, the mailing will be conducted in batches over a three-week period concluding in the middle of May.

Other Union County voters can request a Vote-By-Mail ballot by using the downloadable application form on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or by contacting the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

Voters who prefer to vote in person on Election Day will have polling places available to use.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new playground facilities at Nomahegan Park in Cranford this past Sunday, April 18^th.

“County residents have been anxiously awaiting the opening of these new playground facilities,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Board of Commissioners is happy that the day has finally arrived for families to enjoy this new space with our County’s youngest residents.”

The playground renovations replaced existing equipment that was upwards of 20 years old and now there are two separate areas, one geared towards children ages 2-5 and another for children from ages 5-10. Both areas are fully-accessible, with play space for children of all abilities.

“Nomahegan Park has long been a special place for families in Cranford,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski. “As a Cranford resident, I share in the excitement of everyone here today as well as those who will use these facilities going forward.”

Commissioner Chair Alexander Mirabella and Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski were joined at the event by Union County Commissioners Lourdes M. Leon, Chris Hudak, Andrea Staten, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Sergio Granados. Also in attendance were: Senator Joe Cryan, Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty and Cranford Deputy Mayor Brian Andrews.

The new playground now has approximately six slides, ADA ramps and decks featuring spiral stairs, chamber archways, suspension bridges, swings, plastic bongo drums, climbing stations and ropes. The surface is soft and rubber bonded.

Suburban Consulting Engineers designed the new playground facilities and the GameTime Playground Equipment was provided by Marturano Recreation Company. Installation of the Equipment of equipment was done by Whirl Construction. The rubberized safety surface was installed by Rubbercycle.

Use of the playground facilities will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Press Release from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office

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Registration link: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzXp8vujQfu-iK6yYkpHhQ

The Seventh Annual Union County C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Action, Response, Education, Safety) Domestic Violence Symposium is scheduled to take place later this week, and those working in fields dedicated to serving victims are being encouraged to register and learn from a host of subject-matter expert speakers.

A joint presentation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and YWCA Union County, along with supporting partner organizations including the Union County Board of Commissioners, the Union County Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy, the Union County Family Justice Center, and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the Symposium is being held virtually for the first time, and will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 via Zoom. Attendance is free of charge, and registration, which is open to the public, is available online at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzXp8vujQfu-iK6yYkpHhQ.

The first six symposiums were held annually in person at Kean University, until the 2020 version was postponed due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The topic of the 2021 Symposium will focus on precisely that – how the most significant public health crisis in multiple generations has affected domestic violence response and mitigation, and what innovative solutions have been implemented to meet the related unique challenges.

The 2021 Symposium will consist of a brief series of welcoming remarks by acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, Union County Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella, and YWCA Board of Directors President Tina Earley, followed by three panel discussions, each moderated by YWCA Union County Assistant Executive Director for Core Services Adela Caceres. The panels, consisting of established leaders in local law enforcement, healthcare, and victims’ services, include the following speakers, each of whom volunteered their time, energy, and expertise:

• Elizabeth Police Department Chief Giacomo Sacca
• Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor/Assistant Prosecutor Theresa Hilton
• Saint Peter’s University Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Pediatrician Julia DeBellis, MD
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center V.P. of Behavioral Health & Psychiatry James McCreath, Ph.D.
• YWCA Union County PALS (Peace: A Learned Solution) Director Alejandra Londono
• Partners for Women and Justice Policy Counsel Trish Perlmutter, Esq.

As with previous iterations of the Symposium, all participants are invited to interact in real time via live tweeting using the hashtag #UCCARES.

“Improving and streamlining the method in which incidents of domestic violence are investigated and prosecuted has been a top priority for my administration, and our efforts to keep local professionals and members of the public informed about something that impacts so many in our community via the Symposium is an extension of our commitment,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “I am so grateful to our extraordinary roster of partner organizations and all of our dedicated speakers, both for their remarks today, and their efforts every day, to ensure that survivors receive the services, dignity, and justice they deserve.”

“While many of us stayed at home during this pandemic in order to stay safe, the home of a domestic violence victim may not be a safe space. Providing care and supportive services took on a new meaning this past year,” YWCA Board President Earley said. “YWCA Union County values working with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and our co-sponsoring partners to shed light on how this pandemic has affected victims of domestic violence, and the challenges related to providing much-needed services in a mostly virtual environment.”

“The New Jersey State Bar Foundation is proud to co-sponsor this important symposium on this crucial topic,” added Foundation President Norberto Garcia, Esq. “The pandemic brought to the forefront the reality faced everyday by those affected by domestic violence. We are pleased to play a part in conveying this valuable knowledge to those facing these challenges.”

Domestic violence impacts 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men in their lifetimes worldwide, and cuts across all racial, economic, religious, ethnic, and other community lines, bearing an annual monetary cost in the United States approaching an estimated $10 billion in lost work productivity and earnings, and medical and mental health costs.

For information on resources available to victims of domestic violence in Union County, go online to ucnj.org/prosecutor/departments/victimwitness-unit/resources/. For general information about the legal definition of domestic violence in New Jersey, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and resources for victims available statewide, go to njsp.org/division/operations/domestic-violence-info.shtml.

To learn more about the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and its mission, go online to njsbf.org/.