County of Union

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Michael Endy in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled “Lost Highway, a photographic hymn to New Jersey” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 25. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“Michael Endy is a talented, experienced photographer and a devoted supporter of local arts,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “It’s a great pleasure to display his fine work.”

Mr. Endy began his artistic training as a child at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, New York. He continued his studies in photography and graphic design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, receiving his BFA, cum laude, in 1988. Working in New York design agencies for over 20 years, Michael held the title of Creative Director at both Interbrand and Ogilvy CommonHealth before launching his own design consultancy in 2010. He has won more than 30 international design awards and is published in many graphic design books.

Michael and his family live in Westfield, NJ, where he is highly involved in the local art scene as President of the Westfield Art Association. He also is on the exhibition committee of the New Jersey Photography Forum, the publicity committee of the Contemporary Art Group, and a member of the Jersey Art Registry and Pro Arts Jersey City. As a fine art photographer, Michael exhibits extensively. Recent international exhibits include MoNA, the Museum of New Art, in Detroit; Arterie Fine Arts in Chicago; and the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ. Recent national exhibits include Photography Now, at the University Place Gallery in Cambridge, MA; the National Juried Photography Exhibit at Gallery 14 in Hopewell, NJ; and the RAW NJ exhibit at the Noyes Museum in Hammonton, NJ.

His self-published book, “Lost Highway, a photographic hymn to New Jersey,” has been selected for inclusion in Photobook 2015, and will soon be exhibited at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. Visit his website www.michaelendyphotography.com.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

On Dec. 2, 2015, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that federal disaster loans are again available as a result of Hurricane Sandy.  These low-interest loans are available to small businesses, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters located in New Jersey, regardless if they applied during the initial Hurricane Sandy disaster declaration or not.  To date, SBA has approved 131 loans totaling $5,099,500.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of applications, which tells us there are still  businesses and residents that have Hurricane Sandy related needs and who could use our disaster loan program,” said SBA’s Region II Regional Administrator Kellie LeDet.

LeDet, who oversees SBA’s programs and services for New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, added “The reopening of the SBA disaster declaration for Sandy provides a great opportunity for victims of Superstorm Sandy to get much needed funding at a low interest rate.”

According to LeDet, SBA’s customer service representatives are at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to provide one-on-one assistance and answer questions. There is no cost to apply and no appointment is necessary. The Union County Center is open until further notice, with location and hours of operation below:

 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today renewed its support for the efforts of Union County College to award a Bachelor of Nursing degree. As a two-year community college, Union County College requires approval from the State Department of Education to offer the four-year degree.

“This new four-year program would provide more Union County residents with the opportunity to advance professionally in a high demand field, and it would benefit to the community at large by helping to relieve the ongoing nursing shortage,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Union County College has established a solid record of success with an outstanding two-year Associate’s degree, and the Freeholder Board strongly supports extending this experience to four-year degrees.”

The new degree program would enable Union County College to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing for students who have completed an Associate Degree or who hold a qualifying diploma in an accredited nursing program, and who have passed the examination to be a Registered Nurse.

The course work would include physical assessment, community health, global and population based health, nursing research and evidence-based practices, advanced pathophysiology, informatics and technology, ethical issues and leadership and management courses.

Approval for the new four-year program is contingent upon the determination of the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, which takes into account the recommendations of the New Jersey President’s Council.

Earlier in January, Bergen announced support for the four-year degree as part of his 2016 Chairman’s Initiatives. The Freeholder Board also adopted a formal Resolution in support of a positive outcome from the President’s Council. However, last week the President’s Council voted in favor of negative recommendations by a slim 19-18 margin, with several abstentions.

“We are hoping that this narrow decision provides the Secretary of Higher Education with an indication that the issue deserves a more thorough investigation before a final decision is made,” said Bergen.

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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 Union County Freeholder Board today announced the Division of Social Services would be opening their offices in Elizabeth and Plainfield this Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon in an effort to assist residents wishing to enroll in ObamaCare before the deadline on Sunday, January 31^st.

The office addresses are: in Elizabeth at 342 Westminster Avenue; in Plainfield at 200 W. Second Street.

“Thanks in large part to the Affordable Care Act, more than 90 percent of Americans now have healthcare insurance,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Anyone who needs health insurance should make every attempt to enroll, and we are happy to offer this important assistance to our residents. One of the main reasons why we are providing this free service is also to avoid the penalties that residents could face by not being registered for health insurance.”

ObamaCare’s individual mandate requires that most Americans obtain and maintain health insurance, or an exemption, each month or pay a tax penalty. For more information on this penalty, please go to http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-individual-mandate/

The opening of both County offices on Saturday is strictly and solely to assist anyone who may be eligible for health coverage with meeting the requirements of the Affordable Care Act’s deadline which is this Sunday. The offices will not be accepting applications for any of their other services.

Anyone interested in applying for health insurance, should feel free to come to either of the offices at the specified time and bring the following documents: Photo ID for anyone above the age of 18, income verification, proof of address, proof of citizenship or legal residency.

More than 18 million Americans have enrolled in Obamacare since 2010. For more information on Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, please go to: http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-open-enrollment/

 

 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite educators, civic group leaders and other aspiring gardeners to the fourth annual community gardening workshop, “Get Your Vegetable Garden Growing,” on Saturday, February 27.

Presented by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, the workshop will take place at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus in Scotch Plains, at 1776 Raritan Road. Pre-registration is required by February 17. Continuing Education Unit credits are available.

“The urban gardening movement provides County residents of all ages with new opportunities for education, recreation and improved nutrition,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to support the Extension in its efforts to help our local gardeners achieve a healthy and successful harvest.”

Attendees can choose from the following four topics:

• Seed Starting & Container Gardening
• Cooking with Kids for a Healthy Life
• Starting a Community Garden
• Improving Your Soil through Composting.

The event also includes a panel Q&A session with experienced gardeners and a keynote address by Laura Lawson, Rutgers University Dean of Agricultural & Urban programs.

The fee for “Get Your Vegetable Garden Growing” is $25.00, which includes lunch and all materials. More details and a brochure with a registration form are available at the Union County website, ucnj.org.

To register online, visit tinyurl.com/schoolgardenconference by February 17. Registrations are also accepted by mail. To request a brochure and registration form by mail, call the Extension office in Westfield at 908-654-9854.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Supported in part by the Freeholder Board, it is part of a national network organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to foster youth development and community health. For more information other Union County Extension programs including 4-H, Master Gardeners and Master Tree Stewards, visit ucnj.org/rce.

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 announce that applications will be accepted for the second round of Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grants for a 30-day period beginning on January 26 and concluding on February 26.

The grant program began in 2015 to assist projects of economic, social, transport and governmental importance to local municipalities.

“In its first year, the Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program helped to fill critical gaps in State and Federal funding for local projects,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The response from our municipalities was overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to another round of County funding that will help improve transportation conditions in our communities.”

The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee in 2015, chaired by Freeholder Christopher Hudak, which includes Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.

This year’s matching grant initiative will again make available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, covering projects undertaken in calendar year 2016. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

Based on the response to last year’s round of funding and surveys conducted through the County’s public outreach efforts, the 2016 grant program will focus mainly on road repair and resurfacing. Applications for other types of projects will be accepted, but special consideration will be given to applications associated with municipal roadway improvements.

The grant program is part of Freeholder Chairman Bergen’s “Move. Connect. Grow” 2016 transportation initiative, designed to enhance the movement of people and goods in and around Union County.

Other elements of the initiative include:

• Completion of the Union County Transportation Master Plan, a key planning tool.
• Creation of new bike paths.
• Continued advocacy for regional transportation improvements, including expansion of “one-seat” rail service to New York City from Union County, and for the construction of the new Gateway Tunnel rail project.

In addition, last week the Freeholder Board authorized the beginning of engineering design work for improvements to four key crossings, the Elm Street Bridge in Westfield, the West Tracy Road Bridge in Mountainside, the Hussa Street Bridge in Linden, and the Irving Street Bridge in Rahway.

Application forms for the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program may be viewed on the County website, ucnj.org/infrastructure-application.

Each of the twenty-one municipalities may apply for one or more projects. Projects must be current initiatives, and all funding awarded must be expended by December 31, 2016. The application period will be limited to 30 days, commencing on January 26 and concluding on February 26.

Municipalities interested in applying for the grant should contact Kathleen Addessa at the Union County Department of Economic Development to obtain the application form, 908-527-4087 or kaddessa@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 announce that engineering design work is beginning for the reconstruction of two bridges and the replacement of two others, located in Linden, Mountainside, Rahway and Westfield. The awards represent a major step forward for the projects.

The work is part of “Move. Connect. Grow.,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s sweeping initiative to upgrade, improve and expand the transportation network in Union County for all forms of travel including motor vehicles, mass transit, cycling and walking.

“The benefits of the bridge improvements will ripple through our municipalities, to central New Jersey and beyond,” said Bergen. “I am looking forward to working with our state and federal partner agencies to secure additional funding so we can continue to move forward.”

The four bridge projects now beginning the design phase are:

• Elm Street Bridge, Westfield
• West Tracy Road Bridge, Mountainside
• Hussa Street Bridge, Linden
• Irving Street Bridge, Rahway

“Union County is responsible for 470 bridges and culverts, many of which provide critical transportation links both on a local and regional level,” said Bergen. “Maintaining and updating these crossings is a key responsibility that the Freeholder Board takes very seriously.”

To help fund the Elm Street Bridge project, Union County has received a grant of $750,000 from the NJDOT Local Aid Grant under the agency’s 2015-Local Bridges Future Needs Program. Located at the intersection of Orchard Street, the existing bridge was built in 1926. It is similar to a culvert and the work will involve addressing underground utilities. The entire bridge will be removed and replaced.

For the West Tracy Road project, Union County has received Local Aid Grant of $300,000 from NJDOT for construction work. The bridge was built in 1935. The superstructure is a reinforced concrete slab, which will be removed and replaced.

The Hussa Street Bridge was built in 1956. This project also involves removal and replacement of the superstructure, which consists of precast box beams. An NJDOT grant of $700,000 will be applied to construction.

The Irving Street project is particularly complex because of the historic nature of the bridge, which was built in 1900, and its location in a densely developed downtown district with adjacent buildings. Union County has applied for an NJDOT grant of $1 million for construction.

In addition to accelerating the County’s bridge reconstruction program, Chairman Bergen’s “Move. Connect. Grow.” initiative includes:

• Continuation of the Infrastructure Grant program, which provides Union County grants to municipalities for local projects, with a focus on road repaving.
• Completion of the Union County Transportation Master Plan, a key planning tool.
• Creation of new bike paths.
• Continued advocacy for regional transportation improvements, including expansion of “one-seat” rail service to New York City from Union County, and for the construction of the new Gateway Tunnel rail project.

For up-to-date information on road closures and other travel advisories related to County infrastructure road and bridge projects, visit the interactive Road Construction Update page at 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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Performance Examines Artistry of Former Westfield Resident

CRANFORD, NJ – The poetry and music of famed African-American writer Langston Hughes will be explored and celebrated during a special free event on Monday evening, February 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Roy Smith Theatre on the campus of Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford NJ 07016.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation, this free performance will celebrate the birth of James Mercer Langston Hughes on Feb. 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. Host Terrance McKnight will present a live adaptation of his radio documentary, “I, Too, Sing America: Music in the Life of Langston Hughes,” which was produced for WQXR, New York Public Radio. The performance at the Roy Smith Theatre will include live music and dramatic readings.

“Langston Hughes captured the full spirit of his times, from the glory of the Harlem Renaissance to the suffering and daily struggles of African-Americans.  His legacy continues to inspire us to seek truth and beauty in all humanity,” said Union County Freeholder Linda Carter.

In this one hour presentation, Terrance McKnight takes us on a journey through Hughes’ life and work, and through his love for and contributions to music and the shaping of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s.

“Langston Hughes believed in bringing his work to audiences all over the nation, and Terrance McKnight enables a new generation to experience the excitement of a live performance by a great American author,” said Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder liaison for Cultural and Heritage Affairs. “It is sure to be an entertaining and informative evening, and we hope you will come and join us.”

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was a poet, novelist, playwright and social activist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form known as jazz poetry. Hughes loved music. He wrote songs, opera librettos and gospel plays, and traveled with his record collection. A longtime resident of Harlem in New York City, Langston Hughes also lived in Westfield, New Jersey in the early 1930’s.

Terrance McKnight is the weekday evening host on WQXR. His musical experiences – from glee club soloist and accomplished pianist, to professor at Morehouse College – have consistently juxtaposed the European Classical tradition alongside American classic traditions, such as jazz, gospel, African-American spirituals and other musical genres.

Admission to “Music in the Life of Langston Hughes” is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. To register and reserve a seat, call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or use the online form at the Cultural and Heritage page on the Union County website, 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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Due to access and staffing issues in the wake of Saturday’s snow storm, the Union County Deer Management Program scheduled for Monday, January 25 is postponed to Wednesday, January 27.

Learn more about this program at www.ucnj.org/deer