County of Union, New Jersey

Freeholder Chairman Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Estrada, Freeholders Hudak, Granados, and County Manager Oatman to have hair cut to raise funds to assist victims of domestic violence; event to be broadcast live on Facebook

UNION COUNTY—Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel Estrada, Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Sergio Granados and County Manager Ed Oatman will take up the “Union County Home Haircut Challenge,” and have their hair cut for charity live on Facebook beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18^th. 

“We know the stress of this pandemic has put a lot of financial pressure on certain non-profit organizations and we wanted to come up with a creative and engaging way to help out,” said Freeholder Chairman Mirabella. “Specifically, we wanted to help victims of domestic violence, as unfortunately, the numbers have spiked during the pandemic.”

Mirabella has grown his hair longer than usual and is sporting a beard. No word yet on whether the beard will survive the challenge, or whether Mirabella’s wife, Phyllis, will weigh in on the matter.

The Freeholder men came up with the idea of helping victims of domestic violence and creating the theme for the event. Family members and/or friends of the Freeholders and County Manager will participate in making the haircuts with, of course, attention to safety and quality.

“I thought it would be a different way assist those in need, while using our long overdue haircuts to raise funds,” said Freeholder Hudak, who normally sports a close-shaved cut. “For all of us, it marks a first-getting our cuts live on social media. We are looking forward to sharing the moment with our Union County community, friends and family, and contributing to a worthy cause.”

Vice Chairman Estrada added: “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the victims of domestic violence.  We are all looking forward to getting our haircuts and helping someone in need.”

Freeholder Granados said: “The pandemic has changed life for many people, and among the unfortunate results is a major increase in domestic violence. The County has been at the forefront of assisting victims of domestic violence, and this is yet another venue for us to help out, raise funds, and send a positive and heart-warming message as well.”

County Manager Oatman stated: “It has been heartwarming to see how Union County residents have helped each other during the COVID-19 outbreak, and we hope that this event will inspire others to reach out and contribute to a cause as we work through this crisis together.”

The event will be a fundraiser for a local charity the five men have selected.  Details on how to contribute to the charity are available on the Union County Home Haircut Challenge Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1215503408781513/. The event will also be broadcast live off the same page, and the Facebook account pages of Freeholder Mirabella, Freeholders Hudak, Granados and County Manager Oatman. Those who make a contribution are urged to leave a comment on the event page or on the Freeholders’ and County Manager’s Facebook accounts, which are as follows.

• https://www.facebook.com/alexander.mirabella.7
• https://www.facebook.com/freeholderhudak/
• https://www.facebook.com/FreeholderGranados/
• https://www.facebook.com/ed.oatman.5

Union County Clerk advises voters in Union County that sample ballots are now available online at the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

The sample ballots are also posted on the County Clerk’s free app for mobile devices, Union County Votes.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has mandated that the July 7 election will be conducted primarily by Vote-by-Mail. As part of that statewide mandate, sample ballots are being posted online instead of being sent through the mail.

The County Clerk’s office began sending Vote-by-Mail ballots to voters on Monday, a process that is expected to take approximately two weeks given the volume of mail involved.

“I encourage voters to review their sample ballot online now, so they are prepared and informed ahead of the July 7 Primary Election,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Many Union County voters are new to Vote-by-Mail, so this is a good opportunity to learn more about the process.”

Ms. Rajoppi also encourages voters to familiarize themselves with Vote-by-Mail by reading the FAQ’s posted on unioncountyvotes.com, and on the Union County Votes app.

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 and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County, NJ — Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado reminds voters that the upcoming Primary Election on July 7 will be conducted primarily by Vote-by-Mail, by order of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A limited number of in person polling locations will be available on Election Day.

“The COVID-19 precautions are still in force, and we strongly urge voters to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the July 7 Primary Election,” said Ms. DiRado. “However, polling locations will be available on July 7 for those who need them.”

In accordance with Governor Murphy’s order, voters who choose to cast their ballot in person on July 7 will not use voting machines. They will be provided with provisional paper ballots at their polling place. Voting machines will be available only to voters with disabilities.

Ms. DiRado also emphasized that Vote-by-Mail ballots will not be accepted at the polling places, in accordance with the Governor’s order. Voters who choose to vote in person will be provided with a provisional ballot when they arrive at their polling place.

In-person voters must wear masks and observe social distance precautions to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19 when visiting a polling place.

For a complete list of polling locations in Union County, visit the Board of Election website online at ucnj.org/boe/where-do-i-vote.
 
As a reminder, Vote by Mail ballots will automatically be mailed to all active, registered Democrat and Republican voters.  All unaffiliated and inactive Democrat and Republican voters will automatically receive a Vote by Mail Ballot Application.  Returned postage on both is prepaid.

Voters are encouraged to vote and return their ballots as soon as possible.  All ballots postmarked on or before election day and received by 8pm on July 14 will be canvassed and counted.

To ensure your ballot is completed correctly, please review the flyer prepared by the Election Board which can be found at ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2.

For information on all Board of Elections services visit https://ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or leave a phone message at 908-527-4121. All email and phone messages will be returned.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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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Union County, NJ – Effective Monday, June 8, the free Union County Covid-19 Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“As the result of a historic community effort by Union County residents to slow the spread of COVID-19, the number of requests for tests has gone down in recent weeks,” Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella explained.

“We continue to urge Union County residents, as well as front line emergency and medical workers, to make an appointment at the Test Center if you are concerned about your exposure to COVID-19,” added Mirabella.

Residents must also continue to observe precautions against spreading the virus such as wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance, and washing hands frequently.

The Test Center is a free service available to Union County residents, with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Union County residents who wish to be tested can book an appointment online through the registration link on the County website, ucnj.org, or by phone at 908-214-7107.

The Test Center is also free to first responders and front-line health workers with or without symptoms, regardless of their place of residence. First responders and front-line health workers may also book an appointment online at ucnj.org, or call 908-373-5105. 

All tests are provided by appointment owner and visitors to the Test Center must arrive by car. No walk-ins are accepted.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises voters that they have several options for returning their Vote-by-Mail ballots. Voters can return their ballots by U.S. Postal Service, bring them to the County Clerk’s offices or Board of Elections Office, or drop them off at specially designated ballot boxes.

Voters choosing to bring their ballots to the County Clerk’s offices can visit the main office at the County Courthouse in Elizabeth at 2 Broad Street, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or the annex office at the Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield at 300 North Avenue East, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

No appointment is needed in order to drop off a Vote-by-Mail ballot at the County Clerk’s offices.

“Each Vote-by-Mail ballot comes with pre-paid postage, so we encourage voters to return their ballots by mail. My offices are also available to voters who prefer to bring them in person, with safety precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, all visitors to the County Clerk’s offices must wear masks and observe the 6-foot social distance standard.

Under New Jersey state law, voters who bring their ballots in person are required to sign a log book, and must present a New Jersey driver’s license or other New Jersey-issued identification. They may not drop off a ballot for another person.

Vote-by-Mail ballots are also accepted for drop-off at the Board of Elections office in Elizabeth. In addition, five standalone, specially designated ballot boxes are being planned for Union County. The locations will be announced later this month.

For more details about Vote-by-Mail and other election services of the County Clerk, visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

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Each year the Union County Board of Freeholders provides free shade trees to schools for Arbor Day. This year, due to schools being closed as a result of Covid-19, 80 crabapple trees will go to Union County residents and community organizations on request.

To request a tree, find out more about tree care in Union County, or to join the Rutgers Master Tree Steward of Union County volunteers, email Jim Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent, at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

“It is unfortunate that we are not able to distribute these trees to schools as we usually do, so we hope that residents and community organizations can give them good homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The trees are five to six feet tall and weigh about 10 to 15 pounds each. Each tree has been growing in a five gallon pot. They can fit into a mini-van, SUV or car with a folding back seat. A deer guard is included.

Crabapples are known for beautiful spring flowers as well as small sour apples that can be used to make jams and jellies. 

These trees usually grow to about 15 to 20 feet tall over 10 years with a spread of similar dimensions. 

It is suggested not to plant the trees near a sidewalk or driveway.  

One tree per address will be permitted and will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Arbor Day has been a National Observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees.  This year Arbor Day fell on Friday, April 24.

The U.S. Forestry Service, the Arbor Day Foundation and other partners have developed free, user-friendly software to calculate the dollar value of trees in urban communities. For more information visit iTreeTools.org. 

The Master Tree Steward program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, which is supported in part by the Freeholder Board and is headquartered in the Colleen Fraser Building at the County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. For information on all Extension programs visit ucnj.org/rce.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection online at ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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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Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are interested in composting food waste in their own backyards can tune into two online classes, as part of the Freeholder Board’s year-long “Make One Change” initiative to help protect the environment. Both classes are sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. They will be held on June 15 and 17.

“Union County remains committed to #MakeOneChangeUC, especially at a time when so many residents are working and learning from home,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These free webinars will empower residents to help reduce waste while providing a environmentally-friendly activity for the whole family. We can all ‘Choose to Reuse.’”

The first class will be held on June 15 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Called Backyard Composting 101, it is part of the Extension’s Earth Day At Home webinar series. Details and registration information are availabel at envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

The second class will be held on June 17 from noon to 1:00 P.M. It is called Compost Considerations for the Community Garden and is part of the Extension’s Community Garden Lunch and Learn Program. Details and registration information are available at morningagclips.com/lunch-learn-webinars.  

The Director of the Union County Bureau Recycling & Planning, JoAnn Gemenden, was instrumental in working on the Choose to Reuse campaign as head of the Education Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. For more information about Choose to Reuse and #MakeOneChangeUC, members of the public can contact Ms. Gemenden at jgemenden@ucnj.org.

The Choose to Reuse campaign is a project of the New Jersey Food Council and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. For more information on Union County programs as part of this campaign, visit ucnj.org/recycling/make-one-change.

More information on Union County recycling programs is available at ucnj.org/recycle.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of Rutgers NJAES and is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. For information on all Extension programs in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce.

For quick links to all Union County environmental events and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

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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.