County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to welcome more than twenty LGBTQ health and wellness providers to the first Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health and Wellness Fair, presented in partnership with WellCare Health Plans on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Union County College (1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford) from 12 noon until 4:00 PM. All are welcome. Admission and parking is free.

“The LGBTQ community is diverse with specific health needs and challenges, of which a safe and supportive environment is often a barrier to access,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to host the first health and wellness fair for the LGBTQ community, friends and family.”

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people often face numerous barriers in accessing health and wellness services and programs. Union County’s inclusive, educational and interactive health and wellness event for the LGBTQ community will offer a variety of medical screenings, presentations, fitness and personal care demos.

More than twenty LGBTQ health and wellness providers will offer support resources and information for LGBTQ youth, parents, teachers, caregivers and allies. Registered health and wellness providers include:

CASA of Union County, Inc.

Garden State Equality

Hetrick-Martin Institute: New Jersey

HiTOPS

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation

Iris House, Inc.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, & Southern NJ

Prevention Links

P.R.O.C.E.ED. Inc.

Rutgers NJ Medical School

Union County Division of Health

Union County Dept of Human Services and Division of Youth Services

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

YWCA Union County

In addition, the event will feature educational wellness presentations that cover important topics that affect the health and wellness of LGBTQ individuals including HIV awareness, being an ally parent or teacher, understanding domestic violence in the LGBTQ community, emergency preparedness and more.

Free interactive demonstrations will include a fitness demo by NFL star and former NY Giants player Raheem Orr Sr., as well as makeup and cosmetic advice by a representative of Bobbie Brown Cosmetics, barber cuts by Shear Ambition, Child IDs by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and so much more.

HIV/AIDS, STD and other basic clinical testing will be available on site throughout the event.

In addition, Community Coordinated Child Care will host an interactive children’s section dedicated to offering development assessments for children up to the age of 5.

“Enhancing efforts to improve LGBTQ health and wellness is necessary to ensure that LGBTQ individuals can lead long, healthy lives,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair brings together LGBTQ-affirming health and wellness providers from throughout the State of New Jersey to offer individuals the opportunity to engage in their personal health and wellness in a safe and inclusive environment.”

Organized by WellCare Health Plans, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Division of Heath, with support from Union County College, the Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health & Wellness Fair represents the Freeholder Board’s commitment to supporting a strong and healthy community and is part of our ongoing effort to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ community to access basic health screenings and important information.

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.

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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 Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is pleased to announce that five artists from Union County have been selected as award winners in the State’s 53^rd Annual New Jersey Senior Art Show. The winning artists from Union County are:

• John Curch (Scotch Plains) – 1st Place, Watercolor by a Professional artist, for his painting It Was a Good Ride
• Nicholas Florio (Roselle Park) – 2nd place, Pastel by a Non-Professional artist, for his work First Responder
• Jarrett Goldberg (Springfield) – 3rd place, Sculpture by a Professional artist, for her work The Wall
• Rosanne Snarski (Springfield) – 3rd place, Watercolor by a Non-Professional artist, for her painting Central Park Boaters
• Ron Brown (Cranford) – Honorable Mention, Sculpture by a Non-Professional artist, for his work Brewing a Polyhedron Still Life – No Squares Required

“Union County has many talented artists so it is not surprising that so many great pieces of art were part of this year’s Senior Citizen Art Show,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board congratulates all the winners and displaying artists for their hard work.”

The show, featuring almost 300 pieces of artwork, is currently on display in the main building of Meadow Lakes Senior Living, located at 300 Meadow Lakes in East Windsor. It will remain on display and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., through October 24, 2019. The public can view the show, free of charge, during viewing hours. Groups of 6 or more must contact Meadow Lakes in advance by calling 609-448-4100.

This year’s exhibiting artists range in age from 60 to 101. Artwork in eleven categories is represented and is submitted by professional and amateur artists alike. A panel of three art experts juried the show. The New Jersey Senior Art Show is the culmination of a year of county-based Senior Citizen Art Shows held throughout the state. The work on display includes winners from each county. The artwork of 18 first place Union County artists will be on display.

The annual exhibit is co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Mercer County’s Division of Culture & Heritage, with additional support from Meadow Lakes and the New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

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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, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents who are not registered to vote that they have until Tuesday, October 15 to register in time for the upcoming General Election and School Board Election on November 5.

Voters can request a registration form through the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or through the free Union County Votes mobile app.

Voters who need a Vote-by-Mail ballot can also use the County Clerk’s elections website or mobile app to request a Vote-By-Mail application form.

In addition, the Union County Board of Elections will be open on Tuesday, October 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for any voter who would like to register to vote in person. The office is located at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth.

Voters can call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to request a registration form or to get assistance with any other question about voting. Each municipal clerk’s office also has voter registration forms available.

To register, a voter must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day. They must not be serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction, and they must be a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.

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

 

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The Union County Freeholder Board is pleased to present a special lecture on the life of Admiral William F. Halsey—an Elizabeth native—and one of America’s greatest war leaders.

This event will be held at the Admiral William F. Halsey Junior Health and Public Safety Academy, located at 641 South Street in Elizabeth, on October 30^th starting at 6:00 p.m.  The presentation, which occurs on Halsey’s birthday—137 years ago, is free of charge and open to the public.

“Admiral Halsey is one of Union County’s most distinguished, historic figures,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is pleased to support this special event for our residents as part of our commitment in providing educational programming of cultural and historic value.”

Admiral Halsey (who was given the nickname “Bull”) was born and raised in Elizabeth, and is considered by most as the most famous naval officer of World War II. He met many operational challenges of the battle at sea against Japan with effective carrier strikes early in the war. His greatest contribution to the Allied victory was as the victorious commander of the combined sea, air, and land forces in the South Pacific during the long slog up the Solomon Islands chain. Halsey was a key leader of America’s Pacific war effort at a time when its outcome was far from certain. 

The lecture will be conducted by Thomas Alexander Hughes, a biographer of Admiral Halsey.  Dr. Hughes is an Academic Dean and Associate professor at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies in Alabama.  Dr. Hughes’ book, Admiral Bill Halsey: A Naval Life traces the life of Admiral William Halsey from his early beginnings in Elizabeth through his remarkable record of service in the United States Navy.

This lecture is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation, and is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. For quick links to all Union County environmental programs 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.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented medals and a resolution to the players and coaches of the Elmora Troopers Little League team congratulating and commending them on their incredibly successful 2019 season. They were joined by Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage.

The Elmora Troopers Little League team won the State Championship before heading to Connecticut to play in the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship where they won the tournament, which qualified them to participate in the Little League World Series. The Troopers were one of only eight teams from across the country to make it to the tournament and one of the final four teams in the United States bracket. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County residents seeking information about services available for adults age 60 and older will have a choice of six (6) dates and locations in October to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.  Staff will be present at public libraries in Westfield; Garwood; Clark; Elizabeth; Union; and at the Rahway Senior Center.

“The purpose of “ASK” is to help residents obtain government programs and services available to seniors and their caregivers”, said Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.  “The ASK program will bring our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff, based in Elizabeth, to locations throughout Union County to make it easier for residents to get expert assistance close to home.”

Staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) have been traveling throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals; respite care; home care; adult day care; and, support services for caregivers through the Aging Services Kiosk or ASK community outreach effort.  Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The October 2019 dates and locations are:

Monday, October 7
Westfield Memorial Library
550 W. Broad Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Thursday, October 10
Rahway Senior Center
1306 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, NJ  07065
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Thursday, October 17
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue
Garwood, NJ 07027
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, October 21
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ 07066
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Friday, October 25
Elizabeth Public Library – Elmora Branch
740 W. Grand Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
10:00 am – 12 noon

Tuesday, October 29
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
11:30 am to 1:30 pm

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled. These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Union County Facebook page, Union County Twitter account and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 4858.

Union County’s Deputy County Manager Amy Crisp Wagner was honored for her accomplishments by the United Way of Greater Union County at their inaugural “Ladies Who Give A Hoot Dinner.”

Amy serves as Deputy County Manager and as Director of Economic Development. She is second-in-command of County government under the direction of the Freeholder Board and assists with the supervision of its day-to-day operations, policies and projects.

It also should be noted that the funds raised from the event are going to a great cause— the Nurse Family Partnership, an organization which provides much-needed support for maternal and child health. 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has responded to a recommendation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which effectively halts a decades-long planning process for flood control in the Rahway River Basin. Last July, the Army Corps of Engineers abruptly notified the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that work on the flood control plan is no longer merited.

“After 20 years of genuine progress, USACE halted the study for no discernible reason. We strongly urge the Army Corps of Engineers to resume work on this critical matter of public safety and economic security for communities throughout our region,” said Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The planning process has been under way since 1999, after Congress approved funds for a feasibility study for flood control in the Rahway River Basin. The Rahway River Basin covers more than 81 square miles within the New York metropolitan region, including parts of Union and Essex counties.

The action by Congress followed a series of destructive floods dating back to 1938, impacting Cranford, Rahway and other communities. More recently, severe flooding occurred during Tropical Storm Floyd in 1999, a springtime nor’easter in 2007, and Hurricane Irene in 2011.

“By working with the vigorous support of U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker over the years, and more recently U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski, Union County and other stakeholders in Rahway River flood control were able to keep funding available. In 2015 the Army Corps of Engineers even agreed to place the study on a priority track,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski. “It is unacceptable for USACE to reverse course, without warning, and literally invent a reason for doing so.”

In its recommendation, USACE stated that “locally imposed constraints and lack of acceptance of the alternatives proposed has severely limited the scope of our solutions.”

“In fact, the opposite is true,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski. “Union County has worked cooperatively all along with Essex County and the Mayors whose communities lie within the Rahway River Basin, and we achieved consensus on a plan developed by USACE.”

Freeholder Chair Kowalski outlined Union County’s concerns in a letter to New Jersey DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe, dated September 24, urging DEP to reject the recommendation to halt the feasibility study.

“We strongly believe that taking no action, as proposed by USACE, is an unacceptable outcome of the feasibility study process,” she wrote. “Union County residents and tens of thousands of people throughout the region are counting on us, and we must fulfill our obligation to protect life and property, among the most basic responsibilities of our government to the people we serve.”

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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.

Full Text of letter is as follows:

September 24, 2019

Catherine R. McCabe, Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

                                                RE: USACE Rahway River Flood Study

Dear Commissioner McCabe:

On behalf of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the many affected residents of Union County, I am writing to respectfully urge your Department formally to reject the proposal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to end the Rahway River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study.

As you know, many communities in Union County are desperately in need of protection from flooding related to the Rahway River, which has occurred regularly over several decades.  For instance, an April 2007 storm caused such widespread and substantial damage that Union County and Cranford were declared federal disaster areas.  We were again reminded sadly of the vulnerability to flooding from the Rahway River when Hurricane Irene struck in 2011.  With a changing climate and the increasing frequency and intensity of rain events, Union County and its residents are tremendously concerned about how flooding will affect our communities in the days ahead.  Less than 6 months ago, USACE indicated they were committed to help craft a solution!

For these reasons, we were surprised to learn on September 18, 2019 that USACE had notified NJDEP of its view that further study of plans to provide protection from flooding related to the Rahway River is not warranted because of the difficulties they claim, saying that “locally imposed constraints and lack of acceptance of the alternatives proposed has severely limited the scope of our solutions.”  This is unacceptable, especially considering that Union County, the Mayors Council Rahway River Flood Control, and residents in both Union and Essex County for years had worked cooperatively on a plan developed by USACE New York District, identified as the Tentatively Selected Plan for Alternative 4a – only for that plan to be rejected in July 2018, totally without warning, by USACE Headquarters.

Since this surprising decision, the Mayors Council and Union County have been working diligently to engage USACE to develop alternative plans that would be acceptable to the affected communities.  As you know, USACE Headquarters transferred responsibility for the project to USACE New England, claiming that its expertise in small dam safety would facilitate the planning process.  Unfortunately, USACE New England has not worked in the cooperative manner that was promised. It is difficult to believe that, in just the last several months, all potential solutions have been exhausted.

We strongly believe that taking no action, as proposed by USACE, is an unacceptable outcome to the feasibility study process.  In assessing the costs and benefits of potential plans, USACE fails to appropriately account for the tremendous costs of doing nothing.  We urge NJDEP to reject USACE’s effort to arbitrarily and capriciously end the Rahway Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study at this time.  Rather, we ask for NJDEP and USACE to renew their work, cooperatively and in close coordination, to develop an acceptable plan to provide protection from flooding from the Rahway River.  Union County residents and tens of thousands of people throughout the region are counting on us, and we must fulfill our obligation to protect life and property, among the most basic responsibilities of our government to the people we serve.

We appreciate your kind consideration of this time-sensitive request and look forward to continuing to work with you to develop viable solutions and a path forward.

Sincerely,

Bette Jane Kowalski

Chair, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

cc:  USACE

     Senator Robert Menendez

     Senator Cory Booker

     Rep. Tom Malinowski

     Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

     Rep. Albio Sires

     Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman

     Governor Phil Murphy

     Senator Nicholas Scutari

     Senator Thomas Kean, Jr.

     Assemblywoman Linda Carter

     Assemblyman James Kennedy

     Assemblyman Jon Bramnick

     Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz   

     Mayors Council Rahway River Flood Control