County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Freeholder Board would like to thank all the volunteers, County staff, medical professionals, first responders, NJ National Guard members, and Kean University staff who have worked so courageously hard over the past several weeks to keep the Union County Covid-19 drive-through test center going.  Today, the facility is expected to reach 7,000 tests by the end of the day.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with GLADD to host two signature courses of the GLAAD Media Institute’s LGBTQ advocacy training program, online and free for anyone who wants to build the core communication skills and techniques that influence positive social change and increase LGBTQ acceptance.

Community leaders, nonprofit advocates, members of the media and members of the public are all invited to attend the two courses, presented in collaboration with Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

Both courses are live-streamed interactive presentations with the opportunity for participants to ask questions and engage in the session real time. They will be held on Friday, April 24 and Friday, May 22. Both courses begin at 1:00 p.m. and last approximately three hours.

“The Freeholder Board is committed to work for a community of respect and dignity for all, and we are continuing that work throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to partner with GLAAD in sharing their expert guidance with the public and encouraging people to speak up for LGBTQ inclusion and acceptance, while observing every precaution to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

“This effort is especially important to the LGBTQ community, where many people may be vulnerable to feelings of isolation during this period of separation and social distance,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, who is liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “Through innovative online courses like these, we continue to encourage people to connect, learn, and share with one another.”

The GLAAD Media Institute uses best practices, tools, and techniques perfected over the organization’s 30 years of experience to help transform individuals into compelling storytellers, media-savvy navigators, and effective ambassadors for LGBTQ acceptance.

Attendees may sign up for one or both courses. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/lgbtq. A link and password for each session will be sent by email ten minutes before the 1:00 p.m. start time of each course.

The Friday, April 24 course is titled, “Engagement 101 Telling Your Story: Messaging and Media Tools For Today’s Activists.” Equipped with GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance data, the GLAAD Media Institute will show how participants how to reach the “movable middle” through their own personal lens. Topics include LGBTQ acceptance, understanding media mentality, speaking to your audience, messaging and framing the issue, social media basics, and interview techniques.

The May 22 course, titled “Engagement 202,” focuses on the use of social media in LGBTQ advocacy. Participants will receive a comprehensive review of the distinct personalities of each social media platform, and learn how to leverage them to expand their audience, enhance their storytelling, and accelerate acceptance. Participants will also learn how to avoid the notorious pitfalls of each platform.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Union County Board of Freeholders on our upcoming workshops, and are thankful for their flexibility on moving these workshops online,” said Mackenzie Hart, Coordinator for Education & Training at the GLAAD Media Institute. “By moving the workshops online, we are doing our best to ensure everyone’s health and safety while continuing our work to accelerate acceptance — and we are able to open our workshops farther and wider than ever before.”
 
Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.
 
The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
 
For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidelines on the Union County COVID-19 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/cd/topics/covid2019.

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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.

New Jersey Primary Election will be held on July 7, 2020.

Union County, NJ – Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado reminds Union County voters, and elected officials, that the June 2 Primary Election has been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 7, by order of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. The new date will also impact deadlines leading up to Election Day.

Governor Murphy announced the new July 7 date in Executive Order 120, in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.  The full text of Executive Order is available in pdf format at nj.gov/infobank.

“In this time of uncertainty, the new date will help ensure that voters and candidates can participate in the Primary Election while protecting themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Ms. DiRado.

The new deadline for changing or declaring a party affiliation is May 13. Other changes in deadlines will be announced shortly.

In the event that in-person voting is conducted for the July 7 Primary Election, voters can familiarize themselves with new voting machines that were introduced countywide last year by viewing a teaching video on the Board of Elections website, at ucnj.org/boe/expressvote-xl-voting-machine (please note that live demonstrations have been suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak).

For information on all Union County Board of Elections programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

Please note that the Board of Elections office is closed to visitors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Voicemail messages and emails are being responded to promptly during regular business hours.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the Union County COVID-19 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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New Jersey Primary Election will be held on July 7, 2020.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises Union County voters that the June 2 Primary Election has been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 7, by order of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. The new date will also impact deadlines leading up to Election Day.

“I strongly support Governor Murphy’s decision, which will protect the integrity of our elections while taking appropriate precautions to protect the health and safety of voters in Union County and statewide,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Governor Murphy announced the new July 7 date in Executive Order 120, in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.  The full text of Executive Order is available in pdf format at nj.gov/infobank.

Other changes in deadlines will be announced shortly.

Additionally, Ms. Rajoppi urges all eligible voters to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot now.

“The application process is easy and can be done without an office visit. My staff is available to provide any assistance needed by phone or email,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot provides for peace of mind, alleviates health concerns, and ensures that your voice will be heard on Election Day.”

“I will be providing self-sealing envelopes, and paid postage, for all Vote-by-Mail ballots,” Ms. Rajoppi added.

Under existing New Jersey law, every voter can use a Vote-by-Mail ballot. There is no need to provide a reason, and Vote-by-Mail ballots are always included in the official tally for each election.

Voters who have not opted into New Jersey’s automatic Vote-by-Mail system can apply for a ballot by downloading an application from the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

Voters can also request a Vote-by-Mail application by using the free Union County Votes mobile app, calling the County Clerk’s elections division at 908-527-4996, or emailing the County Clerk at 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.

Please note that the County Clerk’s office is closed to visitors during the COVID-19 outbreak, but staff is available during regular business hours to provide assistance by phone and email.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the Union County COVID-19 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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The Union County COVID-19 Center will surpass its 3,000th test today since opening approximately two weeks ago on March 23rd.

The facility is located at Kean University in Union and is managed through Union County, and is staffed by medical personnel, volunteers, first responders and Union County employees. Testing is free.

“This is a milestone, given all the challenges and adverse conditions we faced in setting up the Union County Covid-19 Test Center,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We hope to continue to provide this invaluable, potentially life-saving service as often and as long as warranted.”

The Union County Covid-19 Test Center has expanded its operations, and has been open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is now testing over 400 people a day, with 59 percent testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The testing center in Union County has been regarded as a model around the state, outpacing FEMA sites with the largest volume of tests performed, highest clinical standards and most efficient burn rate for personal protective equipment in New Jersey.

The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. 

For the safety, health and security of the volunteers at the site, the testing location does not allow patients without vehicles to enter the campus. If you do not have your own transportation, please discuss with your healthcare provider before scheduling an appointment.

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/cd/topics/covid2019.  If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, there is a self-assessment tool that you should use that has been developed by the State of New Jersey. This tool will assist you to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19, and can be accessed at https://self.covid19.nj.gov/

The Union County COVID 19 drive-through facility is being run by the County through a partnership with the Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) in Summit, the Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) in Rahway. The Freeholder Board, County Manager and his staff worked with State Senators Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Kean University, and the New Jersey State Department of Health in bringing the facility online.

 

Union County, NJ — As part of statewide efforts to reduce social contacts and stop the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, certain previously scheduled public recreation and cultural events sponsored by Union County in April and May have been cancelled.

The cancelled events are:

• April 26, Wild Earth Fest
• May 3, Sensory Friendly Theatre “Bubble Trouble”
• May 3, Shakespeare in the Park
• May 17, Shakespeare in the Park
• May 23, Paint by the Pond
• May 30, Rhythm and Blues by the Brook

In addition, a previously scheduled July 1 performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Echo Lake Park has been cancelled.

Union County parks remain open only for individual use that conforms to the six-foot standard for social distance. To avoid spreading or contracting COVID-19 in County parks, visitors should avoid congested areas and give way to others on trails and pathways.

In accordance with statewide COVID-19 guidelines, walking, jogging, hiking, fishing (state fishing license required for ages 17-69) and bicycling are among the permitted activities. Individuals may be accompanied by immediate family, household members, caregivers, or romantic partners.

No group activities are permitted in Union County parks during the COVID-19 outbreak. All picnic areas and restrooms have been closed. Other closures include playgrounds, dog parks, and golf courses. The Trailside Nature and Science Center, the Warinanco Sports Center, and Watchung Stables are also closed to the public.

Park visitors please note: Stay on marked trails in order to preserve fragile native habitat in County parks. The taking of plants and other wildlife is prohibited. Share paved paths by keeping to the right unless passing others. Bicycles are permitted only on paved paths. Dogs must be kept on leash. All trash must be carried out where receptacles are full or unavailable. 

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.

Connect with Union County on social media.