County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – As the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages everyone who lives, visits, or works in Union County to bring reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using single-use plastic bags. The reusable bag effort kicks off Union County’s yearlong #MakeOneChangeUC public education initiative, and it supports the statewide “Choose to Reuse” anti-litter campaign.

“Union County is launching #MakeOneChangeUC with a focus on single-use plastic bags because they are a widespread, persistent source of litter in the environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Everyone can contribute to the solution by choosing reusable bags over single-use bags.”

Union County often provides reusable tote bags free of charge at public events, as do many other local agencies, organizations and businesses. They are also available at nominal cost in many grocery stores.

On average, a plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes but plastic can linger in the environment for up to 1,000 years or more.

Union County is the first county in New Jersey to partner with the new statewide “Choose to Reuse” environmental initiative, aimed at reducing the amount of single-use bags in the waste stream.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. every year.

“Every time you ‘choose to reuse,’ you make a big difference,” said Mirabella.

The Choose to Reuse campaign is a project of the New Jersey Food Council and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council.

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 her at jgemenden@ucnj.org.

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

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The North Jersey Transportation Planning Association (NJTPA) paid tribute in this video to Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel Estrada, who has served with distinction in leadership roles with the NJTPA. Under his guidance, Union County advanced $3 million in safety improvements and nearly $38 million in local roadway and bridgeway projects.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month with a free performance of A Langston Hughes Song Revival, an exploration of music in the life and times of the poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist Langston Hughes on Monday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

“Langston Hughes is an important voice in the cultural and social history of the Union County community, having lived in Westfield in the 1930’s,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to contribute to the celebration of Black History Month with this free event, which provides a unique musical perspective on the creative influences of one of our nation’s leading literary lights.”

A Langston Hughes Song Revival illustrates how music influenced and inspired the work of Langston Hughes.

The production will be hosted by creator of the program and WQXR Evening Radio Host Terrence McKnight. Mr. McKnight is an Artistic Advisor for the Harlem Chamber Players and serves on the board of the Bagby Foundation and the MacDowell Colony. He is frequently sought out by major cultural organizations for his insights into the cultivation of diverse perspectives and voices in the arts.

Mr. McKnight regularly curates concerts and talks at Merkin Concert Hall, the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Museum of Modern Art. This is his third time returning to Union County to provide high quality programs for Black History Month celebrations.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Union County HEART Grant program. 

Admission to “A Langston Hughes Song Revival” is free of charge, but advance registration is required.

To register online visit ucnj.org/black-history-month. Contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 for more information about the program.

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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 — Artworks from the Westfield Art Association are currently on exhibit at the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth. The Freeholders Gallery is open to the public free of charge from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Westfield Art Association exhibit will be on display through February 14, featuring works by local artists Bernice Shah, Jill Crouch, Leina’ala de Roxtro Schwart, Heda Matiejunas, Mariya Kovalyov, Avi Kiriakatis, Vickie Williams, Tamara Hanenko, Lesya Dovbenko, Maxine King, Anne Castellano, Paul Federico, Laura Brown, Alex Mambach, and Julius Carallo.

“The Westfield Art Association has been nurturing and inspiring generations of Union County artists, and the Freeholder Board is proud to support their work with this new exhibition,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Founded in 1922, the Westfield Art Association is the oldest independent arts organization in the state of New Jersey. As a non-profit volunteer organization, it provides art education and public exhibitions, and actively encourages its members in the pursuit and development of their individual artistic goals and growth.

The Westfield Art Association welcomes all artistic mediums and all levels of experience. Public art events include art education lectures, hands-on art studio workshops, gallery exhibits, outdoor art exhibitions, and pop-up galleries in Westfield restaurants and storefront windows.

For more information on the Westfield Art Association please visit their website at westfieldartassociation.org.

Exhibits in the Freeholders Gallery are organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. The Office is located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

For more information about the Freeholders Gallery and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Office at 908-558-2550 (NJ relay users dial 711) or culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Jacki Dickert in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of Dickert’s work entitled “Landscapes of Wonder” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until March 27. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Jacki Dickert’s photos on display,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Ms. Dickert is a talented photographer and through her work we can experience the beauty of our local landscapes and beyond.”

Union County photographer Jacki Dickert is passionate about the natural world. She enjoys traveling to exotic locations as well as exploring local areas to find and celebrate nature. Dickert’s photographs have been showcased in both solo and group shows at galleries throughout New Jersey.

Current exhibits include the 2019 HEART Grant funded program, “Land, Water, and Light of the Rahway River Watershed” at the Rahway River Watershed Association’s Education Center; and the Impressionist Series at Simply Art and Frames.

In addition, her work has been published in Backpacker, The Sun Magazine, numerous online blogs, and on book covers. She placed first in the Ansel Adams contest at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York. As part of her mission as an “Ambassador of Wonder,” Jacki self-publishes the annual “World of Wonder” photography calendar.

A recently retired elementary school teacher, Ms. Dickert teaches extracurricular photography classes to children and adults. She is an active member of the Camera Naturalist Photo Club in Basking Ridge, NJ, and a delegate to the NJ Federation of Camera Clubs. She also volunteers for local environmental organizations and offers her art and skills for conservation purposes. To see more of her work, visit www.lightdance.org.

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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 – With the winter season now fully upon us, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present Back to Nature, a new nature series for families with children of all ages. The programs take place on Saturday mornings and feature a different nature or science theme each week.

“The Back to Nature series offers a great opportunity for families to break the winter routine,  spend time together in the great outdoors and enjoy the natural scenery of the Watchung Reservation,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Back to Nature encourages nature discovery through hikes and indoor/outdoor activities.

This winter, families will see how real maple sugar is made, discover how to identify winter birds by sight and sound, learn the stories behind legendary constellations and search for early signs of spring on a nature hike.

This program series is offered on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The series begins on February 8 and continues through March 28. There is a maximum of four participants per family. 

Please dress for the weather.

Register online at ucnj.org/trailside. The fee is $10.00 per class/family of four for Union County residents, and $12.00 per class for non-county residents.

For detailed program descriptions and registration, visit ucnj.org/trailside.

For more information about all upcoming programs at Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at 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.

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Union County, NJ — Union County residents who are looking for a summer job can apply now for lifeguard positions at Union County’s public swimming pool, the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool at Rahway River Park in Rahway. The job will last from Memorial Day through August 16, 2020.

“Over the years, hundreds of County residents have found the Ulrich Memorial Pool to be a rewarding work environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These work opportunities offer invaluable people skills as well as experience in management and emergency response.”

Lifeguard positions are available to Union County residents age 16 and up. Training is available for applicants who are not certified. To apply for a lifeguard position, call 908-527-4101.

For more information about Ulrich Pool, Rahway River Park and all Union County recreation facilities visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

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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.

Union County residents can learn how to plan and carry out local environmental activities by joining the Rutgers Environmental Stewards of Union County. The all-volunteer program is designed to help non-scientists learn more about the science behind environmental issues impacting their communities

“The Rutgers Environmental Stewards program provides the opportunity for Union County residents to learn effective, fact-based strategies for action,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The program has already helped make a difference throughout Union County and we are all looking forward to another successful year.”

In one recent project, volunteer Environmental Stewards have identified hundreds of Ash trees in County parks, collecting data that will help guide efforts to prevent the destructive Ash borer beetle from taking hold.

Environmental Stewards have also created programs in several municipalities, including one program through the New Providence Recreation Department that helps children spend more time outdoors and learn how to care for the environment. 

The Environmental Stewards hold a series of weekly classroom training sessions on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. beginning January 30^th through early June. Registration for the series closes on January 30^th.

Classes are held at the Extension offices in the Union County complex, located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Field trips are also part of the hands-on experience.

The training sessions include habitat conservation, pollinator preservation, climate change and its impacts on the Union County region, protection of the Rahway River watershed, and much more.

Participants also work on environmental internship projects of their choice. No previous training or experience in environmental work is required.

The Rutgers Environmental Stewards program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Freeholder Board supports the Union County Extension with administrative assistance and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, and funding for special projects.

For more information about the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu or contact Michele Bakacs, County Agent and Associate Professor for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at 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.

Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel Estrada Sworn in; Freeholders Granados and Kowalski begin new terms; Freeholder Williams begins first full term; Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte begins new term.

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella has been selected as Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and announced a series of initiatives for 2020 under the title, “Union County 2020: Inclusion, Safety, and Outreach,” aimed at upgrading the County’s public safety infrastructure; supporting entrepreneurship, career development and education; and working for the equal rights and dignity of all Union County residents.

Freeholder Chairman Mirabella announced the new initiatives at the 164^th annual reorganization meeting of the Freeholder Board, held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Sunday, January 5. 

During the meeting, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada of Elizabeth was selected as Vice Chairman. Freeholder Sergio Granados of Elizabeth and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski of Cranford were sworn in for new terms. Freeholder Rebecca Williams of Plainfield was sworn in to her first full term, having served a partial term in 2019. Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte was sworn in for a new term.

This is Mirabella’s fifth term as Freeholder Chairman, having previously served in 2001, 2006, 2009, and 2012.

Mirabella took note of challenges that lie ahead, pledging that the Freeholder Board will continue to support initiatives that strengthen the Union County community.

“With that in mind, this year my Chairman’s Initiatives aim at supporting the pillars of strength that define our community: our beautiful neighborhoods, our wonderful can-do spirit, and the rich diversity of our citizens,” said Mirabella.

The “Union County 2020: Inclusion, Safety, and Outreach” initiatives are:

Keeping Union County Safe and Secure

• Expansion of the Union County Regional Dispatch Center, a shared service handling emergency calls for County and regional response units as well as medical centers and municipal responders. The Dispatch Center launched in 2012 with a half-dozen municipalities on board. Currently the facility handles calls for 14 municipalities and two medical centers along with six County and regional units, and usage is expected to grow.
• Distribution of new fire radios, a shared service enabling municipal fire departments to communicate more effectively with County responders during emergencies. Under this program, Union County will distribute a total of 62 radios to seven municipal fire departments: Clark, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Mountainside and Plainfield.

Union County 2020

• Partner with Union County College, Kean University, municipalities and many other “complete count” committees dedicated to ensuring the highest possible participation in the 2020 Census. Union County has also recruited high school students to help engage the public through the UC-STEP youth development and leadership program.
• Commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of the 19^th Amendment, which provided voting rights to women.
• Repurpose County property on Cushing Road to serve as a working farm created and run by students at the Union County Vocational-Technical School District in Scotch Plains, connecting the campus with important trends in urban agriculture and the farm-to-table economy.
• With the assistance of Union County’s grant writer, launch a new online Grant Portal to help municipalities find grant opportunities.

Union County Means Business for All

• Partner with the Union County Economic Development Corporation on programs that focus on women, minority, veteran, and LGBTQ businesses.
• Explore a partnership with Union County College for a new Business Trades Apprenticeship program.

Union County Cares

• Partner with the international Prevention Access “Undetectable = Untransmittable” Campaign in support of efforts to eradicate HIV and end HIV-related stigma. The Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs will work with the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation to spearhead the effort, which includes advocates in almost 100 countries across the world. Governor Phil Murphy has also signed New Jersey on to the campaign.
• Launch new “Fresh Start” initiative will provide mobile bathing and laundry service for people in need.
• Adapt indoor riding ring at Watchung Stable for wheelchair accessibility.
• Review signage at Union County parks and public recreation facilities to help ensure access and inclusion for all visitors.

In addition to the Chairman’s Initiatives, Union County will continue ongoing work and launch other new programs.

Among the highlights for public recreation, work will progress Master Plan for the reservoir in Clark, and new turf fields will open later this year at Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights, Madison Avenue Park in Rahway, and Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

In addition, this summer a new pilot program bringing the County’s popular summer camps from the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside to Warinanco Park in Roselle. Other projects include the addition of an audio feed to the Peregrine Falcon Cam in Elizabeth, and a full slate of programs at the Trailside Nature and Science Center leading up to the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

“I would like to take a moment to, in advance, to recognize our entire Union County team of employees for their diligence, professionalism, and dedication to public service,” said Mirabella in closing. “I’m proud of each County employee, who in their own way, contribute to all our collective success. Thanks to their efforts in years past, we are all looking forward to a brighter future.”

Are you homeless or risk of losing your housing? Do you need accessible services? Starting 1/1/2020 @ 12:01am NJ 2-1-1 will be the new Statewide Homeless Hotline. NJ 2-1-1 may be able to help by connecting families & individuals in need of help to resources.

Areas of referral include financial assistance, emergency food and shelter assistance, affordable housing, abuse/neglect, childcare, disability, education, emergency services,
employment, health/medical care, mental health, special transportation needs, substance abuse treatment and prevention services.

Learn more at http://nj211.org