County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that 30 Union County trees are now registered with the State of New Jersey Big Tree Conservation Program. Most of the trees were nominated by Fanwood resident Dean Talcott, as part of the Union County 4-H Master Tree Stewards volunteer program.

The Master Tree Stewards recruit new volunteers every year. All Union County residents are welcome to join.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board I would like to thank Mr. Talcott and the Master Tree Stewards for making a difference in our community,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Big Tree Conservation Program reminds us all that trees play essential roles in neighborhood quality of life as well as environmental health. It is a welcome addition to our ongoing tree conservation programs.”

In addition to their role in habitat preservation, trees in urban areas improve air quality, ease storm water runoff, and prevent erosion with massive root systems that absorb rainwater and hold the soil around them together.

By creating shade and releasing water vapor from their leaves, trees also reduce the urban heat island effect. Studies have shown that trees can reduce peak summer temperatures by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Community beautification, recreation, and even property values are also linked to a healthy treescape.

The Master Tree Stewards is an all-volunteer program dedicated to raising awareness about the value of trees. The program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

No experience is needed to join. Master Tree Stewards are trained and certified by experts with the Extension. Their mission includes visiting schools throughout Union County to provide free in-class lessons about the value of trees to fourth grade students.

As one highlight of the Big Tree project, Union County now has five of the nine Northern Red Oaks listed statewide on the registry. The Northern Red Oak is the state tree of New Jersey. Other species in Union County that are now listed on the Big Tree registry include Horse Chestnut, American Sycamore, Katsura Tree, and Blue Atlas Cedar.

The Big Tree Conservation program is run by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Service, which has been keeping a record of the largest trees in the state of New Jersey since the 1950s. Each tree on the list also has environmental and historical value. 

Among other recent projects, the Master Tree Stewards have also marked “tree trails” along walking paths in Union County parks. Visitors can look for trees tagged with a QR code and use their smart phones to learn more about each tree.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is part of a nationwide program coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aimed at enlisting volunteers to share fact based research with the public.

The next Master Tree Stewards training classes begin this fall, including guided walks in local nature preserves.

To register for the classes and for more information, visit the Extension on line at ucnj.org/rce or contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension office in Westfield at 908-654-9854 (ext. 3) or email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

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.

Photo caption: Union County’s volunteer Master Tree Stewards are dedicated to raising awareness of the important role of trees. As one of their projects, this massive Tulip Poplar in Echo Lake Park will be included in a state registry. Any Union County resident can join the Master Tree Stewards. For more information visit ucnj.org/rce or contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 (ext. 3) or email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Jerry Zaro, the New Jersey Trustee to the Gateway Development Program, will discuss and update the public about the project. NJ Transit officials invited

CRANFORD, NJ—-The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC), a rail-advocacy group representing 1.7 million residents in four counties along NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Rail line, will sponsor a free presentation on the Gateway Project, beginning at 7:00 p.m, Tuesday, March 26^th at the Cranford Community Center. 

“It cannot be understated: the Gateway Project, and related work, which has been long postponed, comprise the most significant economic impact project in the nation.  It is urgent to New Jersey, the northeast, and in fact the entire country, that Federal funding be secured and the project proceed expeditiously,” said Bruce Bergen, a former Union County Freeholder who is the Chairman of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition. “The regional economy would be dealt a catastrophic blow if one of the two existing tunnels, which have seriously deteriorated, fails or is forced to close for a substantial period of time for repairs.” 

All are welcome to attend the free event. The Cranford Community Center is located at 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford, with onsite parking.

Jerry Zaro, an attorney with Sills, Cummis and Gross P.C. in Newark, serves as Chairman of the Gateway Development Corporation (GDC) and will be the featured speaker. The GDC oversees the Gateway Project, the multibillion-dollar infrastructure initiative to build new rail tunnels under the Hudson River, rehabilitate the already-existing 108-year-old tunnels (which were badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy), build a new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, expand New York’s Penn Station, and related projects. It would be the largest current infrastructure project in the United States.

Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp noted: “Reliable train service, including a one-seat ride to New York, is key to the continued revitalization of New Jersey’s urban centers, and the economic well-being of our residents and businesses. Funding must be secured to complete these initiatives, rebuild our roads and bridges and keep our cities moving forward.”  Plainfield has two train stations on the Raritan Valley Rail line.

Peter Palmer, former Somerset County Freeholder and current RVRC Trustee, said that commuters continue to suffer from delays and cancelations from an over-burdened and antiquated train system in dire need of upgrades. Somerset County has five train stations along the Raritan Valley Rail line.

“Our residents who rely on train service are being pushed to their limits,” said Palmer. “Further delay in making desperately-needed improvements to train service will damage regional economic development. The Rahway Rail Coalition will continue to advocate as strongly as possible on their behalf.

Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and a RVRC Trustee, is promoting Union County’s efforts on the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition this year as part of the Board’s 2019 initiatives. Union County has eight stations on the Raritan Valley line, including one in Cranford, where Freeholder Kowalski resides.

“We have heard from many residents who have been personally impacted by the delays and cancellations,” said Freeholder Kowalski. “We will continue to make our voices heard for the completion of the Gateway Project and the restoration of the one-seat ride for direct service to New York.”

Hunterdon County Freeholder J. Matthew Holt, a RVRC Trustee, stated: “Both the Gateway Project and restoration of the one seat ride on the Raritan Valley rail are crucial to the economic vitality of our region. Making these improvements would not only make the commute better, but bring economic benefits to the region—including increased home values, and increased commerce.” There are four train stations along the Raritan Valley rail line in Hunterdon County.

George Ververides, Director of County Planning for Middlesex County, and RVRC Trustee, said: “Middlesex County strongly supports the completion of the Gateway Project and the restoration of the one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley Rail line. Transit delays are impacting productivity and the economy. It is also a public safety issue and major quality of life issue as well for residents who commute.”

The Gateway Project improvements are in the heart of the Northeast Corridor, the most heavily used passenger train line in the United States, which accounts for 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s estimated that 10 percent of U.S. GDP depends on transit between New York and New Jersey alone.

The Northeast Corridor carries more than 800,000 passengers in 2,000 trains daily across eight states, and Washington D.C.  A 2016 Amtrak report found that implementation of the full Gateway project could generate $3.87-worth of economic benefits for every $1 spent.

The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, which represents Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon Counties, was created nearly two decades ago to campaign for a one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley Line, which has 23,500 passengers daily, making it NJ Transit’s third most-used rail line. While track connectivity existed into New York, Raritan Valley riders always had to get off in Newark and switch trains because their diesel engines were not allowed into the tunnels under the Hudson River.

That changed in 2014, when NJ Transit began using dual-mode locomotives that could switch from diesel to electric power, making it possible to have a direct ride into New York City.  NJ Transit introduced limited, one-seat ride service during off-peak hours in January, 2015, but then suspended it last year.

The Coalition, which also consists of a Mayors’ Alliance and of County and State officials, can be reached on email at info@Raritanvalleyrail.com,  is on the web at raritanvalleyrail.com/, on Facebook at facebook.com/raritanvalleyrail/, and Twitter at  twitter.com/rvrailcoalition.

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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 – In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present a free performance of the play In Their Footsteps on Saturday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m., at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

The Hamilton Stage production of In Her Footsteps is presented through the Union County Department of Economic Development, Office on Women. Admission is free of charge but seating is limited and pre-registration is required at ucnj.org/women. 

In their Footsteps honors five American women who served in the Vietnam War, using their own words to tell the story. One of the five women featured in the play is Judy Jenkins Gaudino, a resident of Summit.

 “Over 50 years ago, thousands of young American women went to Vietnam to serve their country. For the most part, these women’s stories remain untold,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “In Their Footsteps recovers this lost chapter of women’s history in vivid detail.”

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank Ms. Gaudino for her participation in this project, and for her efforts to raise awareness about the lives and experiences of women in war,” Freeholder Chair Kowalski added.

The afternoon includes:

• A short talk and introduction by Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.
• Debut of the Union County Women Making History Video, featuring Judy Jenkins Gaudino.
• Showing of the play In Their Footsteps.
• Question and Answer session with Judy Jenkins Gaudino and actors.

In Their Footsteps was created by the non-profit theatre company Infinite Variety Productions, through interviews with five women who served in Vietnam: Ann Kelsey (Special Services Librarian), Judy Jenkins Gaudino (Special Services Recreation Employee), Jeanne “Sam” Christie (Red Cross, Donut Dollie), Lily Adams (US Army Nurse), and Doris “Lucki” Allen (US Army Intelligence Specialist).

Infinite Variety Productions was established in 2011, and is dedicated to sharing the many unknown stories from women’s history.

The Union County Office on Women was created in 2016. As the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, including education, employment, business, health, and in the social fabric of Union County, as well as raise awareness of the many contributions that women make in Union County.

For additional details contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women jerdos@ucnj.org, or 908-527-4216, or use the online contact form.

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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 Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski joined U.S. Congressman Tom Malinowski in presenting flags to members of the Model Railroad Club in Union. Rep. Malinowski presented an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. while Freeholder Chair Kowalski gave the club a Union County flag.

The Model Railroad Club, founded in 1949, is one of the largest model railroad clubs in North America and features HO scale and N scale layouts, as well as other model railroad and industrial exhibits.

Located in a mixed-use section of Union County’s Lenape Park in Union, the club is an activity of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation with a mission to educate the general public and the club’s members about the railroads, and the industries they served, in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania area.

For more information about the Model Railroad Club visit www.themodelrailroadclub.org. 

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski presents a resolution to Mary Leonard, President of the Crane’s Ford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, past President Barbara Krause and chapter member Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi congratulating the chapter on its 75th anniversary.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer women’s service organization. Membership is open to any women 18 years and older who can prove lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was formed in 1896 by an Act of Congress to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.

The Crane’s Ford Chapter was chartered by the National Society on March 7, 1944 in Cranford, NJ. The Chapter took its name from a ford in the Rahway River where light horseman stood guard while General Washington’s army encamped at Morristown.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ– The Union County Rape Crisis Center will offer a free training program for volunteer advocates to assist victims of sexual violence beginning April 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Training will be held at the Rape Crisis Center office in the Colleen Fraser Building, located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

“Volunteers at the Rape Crisis Center provide knowledgeable, judgment-free support for victims who face a life crisis. All too often, victims of sexual violence feel they cannot turn to family or friends for help. So our volunteers fill a truly urgent need in the community,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

All volunteers are trained, mentored, and supported by professional staff at the Rape Crisis Center. Upon completion of the training program, volunteers are certified as Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, each volunteer must come to the Rape Crisis Center for an informal interview. Volunteers must attend all training sessions.

The Rape Crisis Center is part of the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services, and has been serving Union County residents since 1984.

For further information about volunteering, and to schedule an interview, call the Union County Rape Crisis Center at 908-233-7273.  In addition, information may be obtained from the Rape Crisis Center’s blog, unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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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.